Case Studies Eversley Sports Association | Page 2

for the Eversley project, an order was placed for a structure 42m x 22m x 6.5m. The build went well, with Collinson supplying the Challenger™ building—including cladding, gutters, down pipes, ventilation, lighting, external walls and doors—before handing the building over in April 2009 for the internal fit out, which was project managed by the club. Once completed, Eversley quickly began to reap the rewards of such a prestigious facility. Since then, the club has benefitted tremendously. The four lane facility accommodates training November through to April. Unlike the previous year when abysmal weather through May and June hampered play, rain was no longer an issue. Members were even able to host matches in the internal centre cage. Adding another string to their bow, the club are now members of the indoor league which runs from October through to December. The club utilises the facility 50% of peak time, evenings, and weekends, and have seen an increase in revenue by hiring out to other clubs for cricket, bowling, and keep-fit activities. The main external emphasis has been on working with a group called SuperSportz who offer private one-to-one and group cricket coaching, and work closely with local schools and clubs. Names like Nick Compton, Monty Panesar, and Charlotte Edwards MBE—the current captain of the England women’s team—regularly train at Eversley. When speaking to the England and Wales Cricket Board prior to the build, the club were asked what they hoped to achieve from the build. The answer? To improve the skill of their cricketers. possible in their area – cricket club membership has increased by 200%. With over 250 young members, plus a 50 strong waiting list; 100 seniors; the club; and the football club, with over 400 juniors, they now not only provide a fantastic sporting facility for the youth of the area, but for the community as a whole. Alan Budge, Vice Chairman of the club, said, “The standard of cricket played here at Eversley is outstanding. Whilst perhaps not exclusively as a result of the centre, it is pretty close to that. “By utilising this fantastic facility and having good coaches we give every player, young or old, the opportunity to excel.” “ Indoor facilities are few and far between. The savings made by choosing a Collinson building rather than a traditional build made our dream a possibility, a possibility that we as a club made a reality, and we will continue to go from strength to strength. With an ever-increasing number of Eversley-based youngsters representing district and county levels, it is only a matter of time before one of them goes onto national honours. Alan Budge Vice Chairman ” When the Centre was officially opened in 2012, former England cricketer Devon Malcolm was equally impressed. According to him, Eversley has ‘an outstanding facility’. True enough, the seniors have moved up two divisions in the last three years to play in the first division of the Thames Valley League. So too have the juniors, now playing in the highest levels of the Hampshire Cricket Leagues. This, according to the club, can be directly credited to the ability to train whatever the weather. The number of young people inclined to participate in sport and exercise is increasing. Eversley Sports Association have made this T: 01995 606 451 collinson.co.uk Construction_Eversley_CS_Rev01