Norden Cricket Club winning the Lancashire Cup in 2019.
A borough cricket club have announced that they are going to livestream all their home games on YouTube.
Norden Cricket Club in Rochdale, Greater Manchester have invested in two cameras to film the games which will be broadcast on their YouTube channel.
The cameras will be set up at either end of the ground meaning the camera will always be face on to the batsman.
A new 4m x 2m big screen from company Quickscore is also being installed that can act as a traditional scorebox, but can also display sponsor adverts, statistics, animations and even a replay of the action that has just taken place.
It will also be used to show live sports events.
Club chairman Stuart Hunt, says livestreaming will allow people who are not able to go to the ground due to coronavirus restrictions watch the games from home.
Stuart said: “It initially came about from an idea where we could watch the games back afterwards and critique our performance, which developed into if we could do that then we could livestream it.
“We wanted to do something that was a little bit different from what the other people were doing and obviously it’s been difficult times and not everybody can get down and see the games so it enables people to watch from home.
“It’s giving something back to the community and also being at the forefront of technology. I bet there’s not many cricket clubs like us that have got something like that.”
The 30fps resolution cameras will provide a crystal clear picture and a high-tech laptop with software to power the livestreaming was donated by club members Brian Cutler and Dave Quinn.
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Fans wanting to watch will have to subscribe to the club’s channel and Stuart says the club needs at least 100 subscribers, so they don’t have to start a new stream every time.
The system is being installed by Cheshire based company Blue Skies Technology and will be tested in a friendly against Heywood on April 10.
Stuart said that the club will have to ask the player’s permission to film before the game.
He also said that the plans to show live sports on the big screen this summer will help recoup some of the losses the club suffered due to the pandemic.
“We have a clubhouse which is a busy bar and a community space and the aim is to generate funds through the bar to enable us to play cricket,” he said.
“But when you’re in a situation where the little income you do get is taken away because pubs and restaurants have to shut it’s a difficult scenario. Normally we do a Bonfire in November which is an important time for us and we haven’t done that either.
“So we’ve had a full year of being closed and not generating any revenue and then we need to try an start playing this year.
“When people start donating the laptop and their time to look after the ground you can see what a great community centre. With the great people in Norden I think we’re going to be fine – and these new initiatives are only going to help.”
You can subscribe to the club’s YouTube channel here – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiwalx733wRhCzeFHKlEkQA.