AN inner city sports centre will be transformed as part of a £1.8 million scheme by the nation’s cricket board to encourage South Asian communities to get more involved in the sport.

The English Cricket Board will be working with Bradford Trident Council on the ambitious plans for the Parkside Sports Centre in West Bowling.

The scheme would create just the second “urban cricket centre” in the country - and will see major improvements made to the facility.

It would be built next to the existing sports hall and include two cricket nets in a multi-use hall.

The existing centre will be refurbished to create a new entrance, cafe and changing facilities alongside a 30 station fitness suite.

A planning application for the development has recently been submitted to Bradford Council.

The ECB’s South Asian Action Plan was published in 2018 - and set out how the body would better engage with communities and break down barriers they may face in taking part in the sport.

This included getting women and girls more involved in the sport and creating more facilities in inner city areas, where there may be little access to green space or sports facilities.

Leyton in East London is home to the first Urban Cricket Centre, which opened in June 2019.

Inner city cricket facility praised for bringing the sport to more people

The Parkside Sports Centre opened in 1964 - and has been a spring board for many of Bradford’s sporting heroes including Arsenal’s Chris Kiwomye, Bradford City and Newcastle United’s Des Hamilton, and most recently, Leeds United and Aston Villa star Fabian Delph.

It is hoped that with the new investment the UK’s next generation of cricket stars may emerge from the unassuming sports facility.

As well as creating cricket facilities, the proposals will allow the centre to be used for numerous other sports and activities.

The cricket space will be flexible, allowing it to also be used for dance and aerobic exercise.

Bradford was chosen as the location of the second Urban Cricket Centre in 2019 - but the ECB said the Covid pandemic slowed down the scheme.

Bradford Trident are aiming to complete the funding package for the Centre by the end of March 2021 and if successful will see the extensions to the centre opened this time next year.

A spokesman for the community council said: “A central element of the development plans includes a new multi-sport hall which will house elite standard indoor cricket nets and bowling machines.

“Yorkshire Cricket and local clubs have advised on the Sport Development Plan which accompanies the capital programme and will see the roll out of a club development and support package including volunteer recruitment, training and support.

“This is an ambitious project with a £1.8 million price tag for phase 1.

“To date Bradford Trident has secured £975,000 and has applications pending decisions on the majority of the remaining funds.

“Generous supporters so far include England and Wales Cricket Board, Power to Change, Sports England, Garfield Weston Foundation and Sovereign Community Health Care.

“The need for the project is in part Bradford’s rising crisis with obesity and being overweight. One of the most enjoyable ways to individually tackle this issue is to take up a regular fun and social sporting habit, like cricket or any other physical activity. Bradford Trident exists to serve the needs of the community of Little Horton and as such wishes to provide and operate the best possible facilities to enable everyone the opportunity to enjoy regular sport and physical activity. Just 20 minutes every day of physical activity can have tremendous benefits for your health and well-being.

“If anyone wishes to contribute towards the costs of this major sporting asset for Bradford they can donate via the “Get Involved” page of the Bradford Trident website. All donations are very gratefully received.”

When Bradford was announced as a location for an Urban Cricket Centre, Lord Patel of Bradford, Chair of the ECB South Asian Advisory Group said: “I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact a centre like this can have in the community and as a Bradford local, I am delighted that the city will be the latest location for an urban cricket centre.”

A decision on the planning application is expected next month.