Helping secure funds for new equipment is one of the priorities of Hartlepool Cricket Club. The Park Drive outfit is hoping its inclusion in the Hartlepool Sporting Association will help to improve its facilities as well as bringing it closer to the other sporting organisations in the town.

Chairman Ken Gardner said: “We are hoping that the HSA will help support us with grants for essential equipment. We are also interested in letting other organisations use our facilities up at Park Drive.” Ken expects that being part of a larger organisation will help address any red tape issues which can affect sports clubs.

Shaun Hope, Development Officer for HSA, said: “Hartlepool Cricket Club are a well-known club in this town with a lot of strong traditions. They are always looking for continuous improvement and we hope being part of HSA will help them do just that.”

Mr Gardner believes that being part of the HSA can benefit not only Hartlepool Cricket Club, but sport across the town. He said “It will be a focal point for a lot of major clubs in the town to exchange best practice and get people supporting local sport. It is also great that it is being led by a lot of able people from the College. I have worked with the College before and if they say they are going to do something, they honour their word.”