It is set to be another blockbuster summer of sport, including the men’s football World Cup, the Women's T20 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,

And closer to home, Broxtowe Council has been highlighting recent investments in grassroots sport across the borough encouraging participation and nurturing local talent.

And Eastwood and Kimberley have been very much part of the action.

Kimberley has seen a number of sporting facility upgrades thanks to the Kimberley Means Business Fund.

Young Eastwood boxer Taylor Brown got £1,000 grant that enabled him to travel to the WFC World Championships where he won two title belts. Photo: Submitted

placeholder image — Young Eastwood boxer Taylor Brown got £1,000 grant that enabled him to travel to the WFC World Championships where he won two title belts. Photo: Submitted

Kimberley Institute Cricket Club was awarded more than £180,000 to carry out improvements to their facilities, including two new hybrid pitches and new nets that offer an enhanced experience and enable wider participation across their senior, junior, men’s and women’s teams, and a new car park.

The famous Stag Ground, home of Kimberley Miners’ Welfare FC, gained a brand-new pavilion including a bar, changing rooms and kitchen, with funding for new floodlights, perimeter fencing, and drainage also recently awarded.

Community pitches and pavilions at Digby Street and North Street, regularly used by local grassroots youth teams, saw upgrades too.

Coun Nick Dewsbury, Mayor of Kimberley, said: "Seeing the fantastic improvements to sporting facilities in Kimberley develop over the past year has been wonderful.

Players from Kimberley Institute Cricket Club training in their new hybrid net facilities. Photo: Submitted

"Kimberley has a rich sporting history and I'm delighted that facilities for cricket and football have been invested in to increase opportunities, not only for men's teams, but also for women's and youth teams in Kimberley.

"Well done to all involved in delivering these excellent investments and upgrades."

The 2022-25 and 2025-26 UK Share Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programmes have also aided supported sporting organisations and provided opportunities for participation across Broxtowe.

Eastwood Athletic FC’s women’s and girl’s teams saw investment at their ground’s facilities at Basil Russel Park in Nuthall, while Eastwood Cricket Club had new nets installed and Eastwood Tennis Club received funding for the resurfacing of their practice court and walking tennis sessions.

The new pavilion at Kimberley Miners’ Welfare FC. Photo: Submitted

Young Eastwood boxer, Taylor Brown, received a £1,000 grant to cover travel and accommodation, allowing him to compete at the WFC World Championships in Hungary, in which he won two world championship belts.

Coun Milan Radulovic (Brox All), council leader and portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, said: “Local clubs play such a vital part in many of our communities, providing residents with inclusive spaces to exercise and socialise.

“Opportunity for participation in sport in Broxtowe is rife, with clubs, classes, and groups representing a wide range of sports and activities in all corners of our Borough.

"I’m incredibly proud of the investment we’ve put into our local sporting facilities, helping to foster wider engagement across all groups, and aiding in developing local sporting talent.”