But now the club has ambitious plans to enhance that reputation by creating new state-of-the-art coaching facilities at its base at The Cloughan in Ballyclare.

Plans have been drawn up for the construction of four astroturf practice areas, complete with enclosed batting nets and full length bowlers' run up areas – one of the best cricket facilities anywhere in Ireland.

Due to the massive growth in membership over the past decade, especially at youth level (Under 11 to Under 18), the club's existing practice facilities are no longer adequate to host coaching sessions involving up to 50 young people at a time. And officials at the club believe that for Templepatrick Cricket Club to keep progressing and growing in the coming years, new and improved facilities are essential.

Constructing the new practice area at The Cloughan will cost £40,000. And club officials are appealing for local businesses to give the project their backing.

"We've already received £20,000 from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and £3,000 from The Lords Taverners for which we are extremely grateful," explained Cricket Development Officer Andy McCrea. "But in order to complete the project we need to raise a large percentage of the money ourselves and several fundraising events are already planned for the coming months.

"We would also be very keen for local businesses to assist us through sponsorship and in turn we will promote them and their services at the facility, on our website and in the local press."

Club Secretary, Peter Shepherd, believes that the new practice area will be a major boost for sporting provision within the borough.

"This facility will be not only used by Templepatrick Cricket Club members, but will also be made available to local primary and post primary schools, community groups and representative sides (Inter-provincial and International) - it will be a real community facility and a great asset to sport in the Newtownabbey area."

For more details about the club's plan or to discuss sponsorship opportunities contact Peter Shepherd on 07762 132191, email secretary@templepatrickcc.co.uk or log on to www.templepatrickcc.co.uk