ECB ex-chief to open IW cricket academy

Lord MacLaurin, the past chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board, will open the Isle of Wight's state-of-the-art indoor cricket academy overlooking Ventnor's unique "superbowl" at Steephill on Friday July 25 2003.

The £1.1m project, financed from the Sport England Lottery Fund, IW Partnership, IW Council and many local supporters, has provided the Island with a three-lane Academy, incorporating video playback facilities for coaching, changing and social facilities. One lane has a spin surface, with two for seam bowling.

The indoor academy will be available to visiting SPL3 club for pre-match practice from 12 noon on match days, without charge. Visiting clubs with an ECB qualified, and insured, coach are welcome to use the bowling machine, and video cameras. But indoor sports shoes must be used in the academy.

The entrance to Steephill is still via the Ventnor Botanic Garden, with the Academy and changing rooms at car park level. There is a spectacular view of the pitch from the changing rooms and players' balcony, with external stairs from the balcony down to pitch level.

Separate changing facilities are available for umpires and the whole facility has been designed to give access for cricketers with disabilities.

Ventnor wish to thank all visiting teams for their patience and forbearance last season. They look forward to being able to offer hospitality this season to players and supporters in their 'state of the art' licensed bar.