Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 September 2025
Letter from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, regarding Government Funding for Cricket, 22 August 2025
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
Minister Stephanie Peacock announces £1.5 million government investment in two indoor cricket domes—one in Luton and one in Farington, South Lancashire—to expand grassroots participation. The facilities will prioritize women and girls' cricket, disability access, and community engagement, complementing the previously announced £400 million grassroots sports funding.
Key findings
- £1.5 million investment announced for two indoor cricket domes in Luton and Farington, South Lancashire
- Luton dome will focus on health initiatives, state school access, women's and girls' cricket, with additional capacity for hockey, tennis variants, pickleball, lacrosse, and dance/exercise classes
- Farington dome will serve as regional hub for women's and girls' cricket, disability cricket, and home for Lancashire women's first team, with two full-sized pitches and pavilion
- Investment positioned as test case for understanding how £400 million grassroots sports funding can best reach underrepresented groups including women, girls, and diverse socio-economic backgrounds
- Timing aligned with Women's T20 World Cup next year as opportunity to inspire youth participation
Tone
SupportiveTopics
grassroots-sportspublic-fundinginclusion-diversitycricket
Key actors
Stephanie Peacock MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Lancashire women's first team
Notable line
“Investment in these cricket domes will increase the number of opportunities for physical activity, providing a covered outdoor environment which enables all weather, all year round training and matchplay.”
Key Quotes
“… we are announcing £1.5 million investment into two indoor cricket domes this year.”
“These domes will also offer significant benefit to underrepresented groups, including women and girls and participants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.”
“The Luton dome will focus on hosting provision for health initiatives, widening state school access, and boosting provision for women's and girls' cricket.”
“… the Farington dome, located in South Lancashire, will offer a regional class facility for women's and girls' cricket with the opportunity to connect grassroots to elite cricket”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗