Hampshire Cricket Board have received almost £100,000 for Cricket Development Grant aid for the year 1999/2000 has recently been announced by the charitable arm of Cricket, The Cricket Foundation (CF).

Grants totalling £2.6m have recently been distributed to all County Boards throughout the country, and Hampshire's share was £98,750.

The awards which are made to enable Cricket Development activities to be furthered throughout the country will enable Hampshire to continue with two Cricket Development Officers, Tony Middleton and overall responsibility for Cricket throughout the County, and Clair Slaney, with specific responsibilities for Women's Cricket.

Commenting on the award, Hampshire Cricket Board Chairman Brian Ford said, "I am delighted with the amount awarded by the Foundation, as it recognises the considerable amount of work carried out by our Development Team with schools and clubs, and also with the very promising young cricketers in the County. The success of the County Board Team in reaching the third round of the NatWest Tropny with a very young side in 1999 is an indication of the fruits of this development work which has been going on for many years, and the continued success of all the age group sides in the County, gives everyone great satisfaction. The Work carried out with the schools and the clubs, and also in the inner city communities to a greater degree, together with the excellent work carried out in Womens' Cricket is really putting Hampshire on the map for Cricket Development and the efforts of all concerned should be applauded.