This summer it found a way.

Rhonda Brabant was watching The Cricket Show during the summer when it announced a competition.

Local cricket clubs could receive a grant in a program called Grants for Grassroots Cricket.

All it would take was 25 words explaining why the club needed the $1000 grant.

Rhonda said while the task sounded easy, to explain how the facilities needed upgrading, she said she initially wrote too many words and had to cut it back.

She sent in the entry and received the news, after the winners were announced on January 15, that Staggy Creek was one of 200 clubs, chosen from 1400 entries to receive a grant.

Each grant includes $1000 cash and $750 worth of equipment, including a shade marquee, two market umbrellas, 200 water bottles and 50 field markers.

Lisa Frost, manager of Inverell’s Commonwealth Bank, notified the Staggy Creek Club of the win and presented the cheque to Rhonda on Friday afternoon.

Earlier that day Rhonda had picked up the development application from council and plans are underway for the improvements to the cricket reserve at Gum Flat.

The ground is used for cricket when it’s too wet to play in Inverell.

“We’ve been trying for years to get the money to upgrade it,” Rhonda said on Friday.

“This will cap it off,” she said.