Sports clubs across Pembrokeshire are celebrating after receiving bumper cash donations.

Last month, the Sports Council for Wales distributed more than £10,000 to 18 clubs in Pembrokeshire.

The donations were part of the council’s community chest grant scheme that allows clubs to apply for funding in order to improve facilities and infrastructure.

One club to benefit was Neyland cricket club, which will use a £1000 grant to provide coaching provisions for a number of volunteers.

Club captain Andrew Miller said: “The money allows us to put people through coaching courses, which benefits our youngsters in the long term.

“We also spend time going out to schools and teaching children the basics of cricket. Next year we are hoping to expand on this and introduce a scheme called Chance to Shine.

“Without the grant none of this would be possible,” he added.

Haverfordwest cricket club received an identical grant and head coach Alan Phillips said it would enable the club to continue developing new coaches for junior and senior teams.

Other local clubs to benefit from the grants were Johnston cricket club, which was awarded £650 and also the town’s football club, which was given over £900 towards the formation of three new girls teams at the club.

Dale rowing club also received £700 to fund the coaching qualifications of two of its members. Pembrokeshire special needs gymnastic club got £1,000; Modern Print target club £806; Fishguard Sports AFC £130 to help set-up an under-eight football team and St Florence junior football club £762.

Other local cricket clubs were awarded grants – mainly to help them gain junior coaching qualifications and upgrades. The clubs included were Pembroke £540; Llangwm £90; Kilgetty £360; Haverfordwest £1,000; Llechryd £50; Fishguard and Goodwick £390; Narberth £290. Porthmawr surf life saving club also received £1,000; Clwb Criced Crymych £720 and Dale rowing club £700 Philip Carling, chairman of Sports Council said he was delighted to award the grants: “It reflects the enthusiasm and drive people have in the area to increase sports participation.

“The future looks bright for sports clubs in Pembrokeshire,” he said.