COUNCILLORS have once again given their support to Wellington Cricket Club to provide coaching sessions for young players during the winter.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s policy and finance committee met on January 13 and agreed to award the club an £800 grant.

The cricket club has been supported by the council with funding for many years for the running of indoor training sessions for juniors from the Under-11s to Under-15 in March and April.

Former Mayor, Cllr Marcus Barr, who was not at the meeting, had often raised concerns about supporting the cricket club year after year with funding when the council could back other sporting organisations in the town.

While Cllr Justin Cole, who was at the meeting, said that although he supported local sports clubs, he was concerned that a number of children attending the sessions were from outside Wellington and quipped that he did not know whether they (the council) would be on a “sticky wicket.”

But Cllr Andy Govier said that although he understood what Cllr Cole was saying, he pointed out that a lot of the young players would remain loyal to the club and play for Wellington for many years in the future.

Cllr Govier added: “Cllr Barr has always commented on us supporting this year after year, but it’s a very successful project.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow, the committee chairman, said: “The training session was rammed when I went down to see what was going on during my time as Mayor. I was pleasantly surprised.”

A cricket club spokesman said: “We believe these training sessions are vital for encouraging younger members of the community to stay active and participate in cricket.

“Our main aim for these is to encourage as many children as possible in the local area to take part in sport.”