Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club was delighted to welcome Jess Brown-Fuller Member of Parliament for Chichester on Thursday 18 June to meet members, volunteers and coaches, and to hear first-hand about the opportunities and challenges facing one of the city's most active community sports clubs.
During her visit, Jess met representatives from across the club and discussed the wider debate around sports facility provision in and around Chichester. She also had the opportunity to watch training sessions taking place in the heart of the city at Priory Park, the historic home of the club.
The visit comes during a landmark year for Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary. Priory Park has played a continuous and vital role throughout the club's history, making the occasion an ideal opportunity to showcase the important contribution the club makes to the local community.
Jess Brown-Fuller MP said, "Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club is a fantastic community asset, and it is clear that the passion and commitment of everyone involved is not matched by the facilities currently available to them.
"The council's decision to invest nearly £1 million in rebuilding the pavilion is exactly the kind of commitment these clubs need, and I welcome it. It also underlines what I have been hearing time and again from grassroots sports clubs across Chichester: dedicated volunteers and players doing everything right, but let down by facilities that are not fit for purpose.
I will continue to push for proper investment in sport infrastructure across our constituency, because these clubs are not a luxury: they are vital to the health and wellbeing of our community."
Today, the club provides cricketing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, from children aged five upwards. Its thriving programme includes boys' and girls' junior teams, senior men's and women's cricket, links with Goodwood Cricket Club, Walking Cricket sessions, and recognition as an ECB Disability Champion Club.
The club also welcomed the recent commitment by Chichester District Council to invest more than £900,000 in the complete redevelopment of the White Pavilion at Priory Park. Approved by Cabinet in May 2026, the project will be funded through the Asset Replacement Fund, Section 106 contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy.
The new pavilion will be built to England and Wales Cricket Board standards and will provide a significant boost not only to Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club, but also to the many other clubs, organisations and community groups that use the facilities. The current building no longer meets modern requirements and presents challenges when hosting sporting events, making the redevelopment a highly anticipated addition to the city's sporting infrastructure.
Gary Rustell, Chairman of Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club, said:
"It was fantastic to welcome Jess Brown-Fuller MP to Priory Park and to share the work we do across our club and community. We are proud to provide cricketing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, and it is encouraging to have that recognised and supported by Jess and her team.
"We also recognise the significant investment that Chichester District Council has committed to the redevelopment of the White Pavilion. The new facility will help us continue to grow the game, improve the experience for players and visitors, and ensure Priory Park remains at the heart of community sport in Chichester for many years to come.
"With a number of major cricketing anniversaries approaching next year, the timing could not be better as we look ahead to an exciting future for the club."
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