Sparsholt Cricket Club has signed an initial three year sponsorship deal with housebuilder, CALA Homes, which will help to enable a new round of extensive improvements at the club. The sponsorship marks the start of a long-term relationship with the housebuilder, who last month was granted planning permission for the first phase of a landmark development at Barton Farm in the north of Winchester.

A significant contribution has been made by CALA to kit out the senior teams, in readiness for the ECB Southern Electric Premier League and Hampshire Cricket League, and the entire junior section.In addition, the three year deal will also contribute towards carrying out further improvements to the club’s excellent facilities, including the ground’s playing area. The club’s pavilion will see an upgrade to its fixtures and fittings, new side windows and doors and bi-folding doors to the front of the buildingand the refurbishment of its surrounding patio areas.

CALA’s donation will also contribute towards the club funding additional summer and winter practise and coaching sessions for its senior teams and thriving U9 to U16 junior section. The club will provide the latest training methods and facilities, which will help to encourage the progression of younger players.

Richard Edwards, Vice Chairman at Sparsholt Cricket Club, said: “At the end of last year’s season, we undertook a number of significant projects to improve our club, upgrading the shower rooms, installing new seating, purchasing new ground machinery and introducing a computerised scoring system.

“We are very grateful for the assistance we’ve had to date from local businesses, sponsors and supporters, however, there is still a long way to go until we achieve our vision for the club. That is why we are delighted that CALA Homes has come on board as our main sponsor. This initialinvestment gives us a much-needed boost and we very much look forward to working with themover the coming seasons.”

Rob Westwood, CALA’s project director for Barton Farm, said: “We have recently carried out an extensive period of public consultation while putting together the detailed plans for our Barton Farm development. During that time, we’ve been very privileged to be able to get to know well the local community in Winchester and have been grateful for their input and support.

“As a national housebuilder, we are committed to investing in the communities in which we build. We met with Sparsholt Cricket Club as part of our work with the local community and were very impressed with the hard work and dedication of the volunteers as well as the passion the club’s management team has to create a first rate venue for players, supporters and visitors.

“Through our partnership, we will be able to make a real difference to the club, and the wider community, and will work closely with Sparsholt Cricket to ensure our investment is maximised for the benefit of all.

“We have agreed an initial three year sponsorship deal with the club. However, when we beginconstruction work at Barton Farm later this year, it will mark the start of a ten year build programmeto create a new community. We hope to extend our support of Sparsholt Cricket in line with these timescales and look forward to working with the team there for many years to come.”

Construction work at Barton Farm is due to start on site in late 2014, with the first homes expected to be released for sale in summer 2015. Phases 1A and 1B will include 423 one and two bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five bedroom houses. The approval, which was granted by Winchester City Council earlier this month, also includes the transfer of land to Hampshire County Council for the construction of a new primary school using funds provided by CALA.

Phases 1A and 1B forms part of CALA’s wider proposals to build a sustainable new community over the next ten years, which will include 2,000 private and affordable homes, a primary school, a community centre, public open space, sports pitches, children’s play areas, a village green and a town square.

For further information on Barton Farm visit www.bartonfarmwinchester.co.uk. For further information on CALA Homes visit www.cala.co.uk.