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ECB offer interest-free loans to leagues

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

The ECB has announced a new funding scheme to help cricket leagues across England and Wales deal with the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The ECB League Emergency Loan Scheme will provide interest-free loans to open-age and junior leagues affiliated with the governing body. Leagues will be able to apply for a loan up to £50,000, with the scheme to fund the cost of cricket balls as well as unrecoverable costs – above £2,000 in the 2020 season – which may include the costs of hiring grounds, producing league handbooks, purchasing kit and equipment, and staging of events.

Like the professional game, recreational cricket has been brought to a halt by the coronavirus crisis. To cope with this the ECB announced an emergency loan scheme and grant scheme for clubs last month. The loan scheme aims to help support clubs’ maintenance costs while the grant scheme is to help those in “exceptional circumstances” that may potentially default on loans.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer a new League Emergency Loan Scheme to help affiliated cricket leagues during the current shutdown of the sport,” said Nick Pryde, the ECB’s director of participation and growth.

“It has been great to see clubs receiving financial support through national and local government schemes, as well as through the ECB’s Emergency Support Funding, which launched last month. We are now in a position to help the leagues across England and Wales with the costs they will incur in 2020 regardless of the amount of cricket that is played this summer.

“Leagues will be able to apply for a loan of up to £50,000 to cover a number of unrecoverable costs incurred for the 2020 season, as well as assisting towards the cost of cricket balls purchased for the year.

“Everyone across the sport is hoping we will see cricket played across England and Wales this summer and at the ECB we’re working closely with the Government to establish when and how it will be safe to resume play.”

Brought to you in association with NatWest, Wisden’s Club Cricket Partner, supporting cricket at all levels for almost 40 years and a proud partner of the ECB and Chance to Shine. NatWest CricketForce helps local cricket clubs to make more from their money through free online advice and toolkits.

Follow @NatWest_Cricket and #NoBoundaries on Twitter to find out more

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