Scottish cricket history will be made in the next few weeks when Winchburgh cricket club, after a year spent bedding in with friendlies, debut in the East of Scotland League’s lowest division.
The official launch of the club, attended by former Scotland cricket captain George Salmond, and CEO of Cricket Scotland, Trudy Lindblade, heard that Winchburgh will be the first club to officially enter league action in Scotland since Bass Rock in 2002.
Having grown from a single social media post into a thriving community organisation with 70 members in just four weeks, the club, which serves as a case study in the importance of sport in building a sense of community in large scale new developments, successfully secured a total funding package to install a new wicket at their Auldcathie Park ground.
The funders are the Cricket Development Trust Scotland and Winchburgh Developments Ltd along with club members themselves raising over £2,100 in less than a fortnight.
The club’s journey began organically when a resident, Veera Jayaraman, posted in a local community Facebook and WhatsApp group, simply looking for people to play casual softball cricket.
Within one month, the group surged to 70 members, ranging in age from 8 to over 50
and representing a diverse mix of backgrounds, including residents originally from India,
Pakistan, and South Africa.
“The initial goal was not to start a club but just to gather people to play,” said Veera, who is now the Club chairman. “The response was amazing. For our first match, we had 30 people turn up midweek. It has created an immediate sense of community. I can’t go to the local shop without meeting someone who wants to talk about cricket.”
This rapid growth led to the discovery of a dedicated cricket pitch within Auldcathie Park,
which had been designed into the landscape by Winchburgh Developments Ltd who supported the the club in transforming the area from a basic playing field suitable for cricket to one which will include an artificial wicket and a manicured outfield.
The £2,132 of internal fundraising was a critical factor in securing an £8,000 grant from the Cricket Development Trust. The total funding package was completed by a £4,000 contribution from Winchburgh Developments’ community budget.
“The club’s demonstration of self-funding was incredible said Penny Lochhead, the
Community, Sport and Greenspace Manager for Winchburgh Developments Ltd, who has
been supporting the club since last year ensuring they had their necessary governance and
safeguarding policies in place so they could move forward to funding and developing their
ideas.
“The Volunteers have worked closely with me to get everything in place and that has
made it easier for us to help fund their dream along with the success of
achieving funding from the Cricket Development Trust Scotland. We are delighted to see the
support they have gained and they deserve the recognition they are getting today.!
Commenting on the grant award announced at the club launch, Trustee Alasdair
Robertson from Cricket Development Trust said: “We are particularly excited to be backing a club so new to the sport. We wish the club every success for the future.”
This is thought to be only the second launch of a brand new cricket club and facility in
Scotland in the 21st century. The last was Bass Rock CC in North Berwick, and to mark the
milestone, former Scotland captain and Bass Rock CC member George Salmond was a guest
to mark the opening of the new ground.
The launch event also gained the support from Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade.
Trudy said:“This is an outstanding example of how sustainable community sport can be established
and flourish. From a simple message to the community last summer, Winchburgh Cricket
Club has grown through enthusiasm, hard work and a shared commitment to cricket. We
thank Winchburgh Developments Ltd for the foresight shown through community
consultation in incorporating a cricket field within their development plans, ensuring facilities
reflect and serve local community needs from the outset and deliver long term benefit.”
The club asked Sinclair Academy and Winchburgh Academy pupils to help them design a
new logo for the club that reflected their values of inclusivity, courage, discipline and
community. After an incredible response to the request, the club shortlisted four
designs which have formed a logo that incorporates the best of each of the
shortlisted designs. The new badge was revealed at the launch.
Looking ahead, the club has ambitious plans. In addition to joining the East of Scotland
Cricket Association (ESCA) league structure for men’s cricket in 2026, they are exploring the
beginnings of organised women’s and junior cricket.
Pictured at the launch are: Back row – Yogesh Khanchi,(Club secretary), Jerald Princef Anand Balraj(Team Coordinator) , Alasdair Robertson – Trustee , Cricket Development Trust Scotland, Trudy Lindblade (CEO Cricket Scotland), Penny Lochhead (Community, Sport and Greenspace Manager Winchburgh Developments) Veeraragavan Jayaraman (Chairman WCC), Paul Curran (Commercial Manager, Winchburgh Developments) Sadagopan Srinivasan (Club treasurer).
Front row – Rohan Khanapurkar (Media Coordinator), Abhishek Desai (lub Player)
