Plans hoped to make cricket 'more accessible'

Plans have been submitted for an indoor cricket facility in Trommode

Manx cricket will become "more accessible" if a dedicated indoor training centre can be built on the island, the sport's chief executive on the Isle of Man has said.

The Isle of Man Cricket Association (IMCA), which represents eight clubs, has submitted plans for the conversion of an industrial unit on Tromode Industrial Estate.

Currently there are limited facilities that are available for hire at a number of schools on the island, as well as at the National Sports Centre. Many of them are outside, however, and therefore at the mercy of the weather.

IMCA chief executive Greig Wright warned that the cricket season had been getting "progressively shorter" due to insufficient facilities.

The season currently runs from May to the end of August.

Finding available facilities outside of those months is very difficult outside of those months, the association said, due to shorter daylight hours and poor weather.

The proposals would provide a "better offering" for the sport throughout the year, said Mr Wright

The IMCA said there were about 800 to 1,000 people who play cricket on the island, a number which includes men, women and juniors.

League cricket on the Isle of Man is "very competitive", said Mr Wright.

'Accessible introduction'

Mr Wright would like a new facility to encourage more people to try the sport "in more recreational formats".

"We are committed to having an indoor centre somewhere to allow us to grow and support clubs" and "grow the profile" of the sport on the island, Mr Wright added.

He said he was confident a new indoor cricket centre would "significantly increase the number of potential players".

The planning application said it would "provide an accessible introduction to the sport without the pressure of attending a club where there are established players practising".

The plans, which would enable 32 people to play at a time, also include office space for the IMCA as well as a viewing platform and a car park.