Cricket club’s relocation due to Ospreys move ‘could be fantastic’

Swansea: So, here’s the scoop. Swansea Cricket Club is facing a big change. They’ve been at their home for 150 years, but now they have to move because the Ospreys rugby team needs the space. This summer, they’ll play at St Helen’s, which is a rugby and cricket ground, and then shift to the Bishop Gore School field off Sketty Lane.

The council, which owns both places, is putting money into St Helen’s to help the Ospreys move from the Swansea.com Stadium for the 2025-2026 season. They’re also planning to upgrade the cricket facilities at Sketty Lane.

Mike Hayden, the club chairman, mentioned that they need to lay a new pitch at Sketty Lane and let it settle for a year before they start league matches in 2026. There’s also talk about possibly merging with the civil service club or sharing the ground.

He’s grateful to stay at St Helen’s this summer, especially since it’s a big year for the club. He hopes everyone understands how important this is. The Sketty Lane ground isn’t quite ready for top-level cricket yet, but he’s optimistic it can become a great venue. St Helen’s is their iconic home, and while it’s tough to leave, he sees potential in this change.

The two clubs have six senior teams and several junior sides, plus a program for kids aged five to 13. Mike appreciates the council’s support for the move, but he knows there’s a lot to do in a short time.

A council spokesperson said they’re working with various groups to make St Helen’s the Ospreys’ base for the upcoming rugby season. They’re also collaborating with the school to create a new rugby pitch, ensuring students can access the improved facilities without crossing a busy road.

The council has approved funding for the work at both Sketty Lane and Bishop Gore. Any changes will be agreed upon by all parties involved.

Steve Porter, chairman of the Swansea Civil Service Cricket Club, mentioned they’ve been around for about 135 years and have played at Sketty Lane for over 30 years. It’ll be up to the members to decide if they want to merge with Swansea Cricket Club or keep competing as they are. The focus now is on making the ground suitable for play.

He pointed out that the drainage needs fixing and the dressing rooms are outdated. The new pitch will need at least a year to settle, and they’re planning to move it a bit further from the nearby fire station. If they can start work on the new pitch before May, the civil service teams will share St Helen’s this summer.

The Ospreys are finalizing their plans for St Helen’s and will submit them for approval soon. The first phase includes a new 4G pitch, clubhouse renovations, and new stands. The second phase will add a training facility and community space.

Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley said they’re on track to start construction in spring 2025, aiming to be ready for the winter. He believes the wait will be worth it for fans. This redevelopment will also benefit Swansea RFC and Swansea University, who will continue to play at St Helen’s.

Glamorgan used to play some matches at St Helen’s but stopped in 2019, playing a few games at The Gnoll in Neath since 2022.