- The ECB has enlisted England stars from the Men’s, Women’s and Disability squads to feature in a new video alongside school children, to get even more kids playing cricket during the summer holidays
- In the first of two parts, we hear how unique the sport can be to different individuals, who play the game in their own ways, with their friends and family, in their favourite places
- In 2023, a record 1.1 million children were supported to play cricket by ECB and partner programmes, and 2024 is on track to be even bigger for kids’ cricket
- The latest ECB campaign is encouraging more people to find their way to play, no matter if that is casual cricket at home, in the street, at the local park, at school, or at a local club or community project.
Working with the campaigning organisation Playing Out we’re also raising awareness and linking to materials so local communities can safely close roads for outside play.
England stars and school children have joined forces to urge more kids to pick up a bat and ball – showcasing all the ways in which people play cricket, whether in the back garden, at school, in the park, in the street, on the beach or at their local club.
England captains Ben Stokes and Heather Knight feature in a new video, alongside Men’s legend and record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson and England Men’s Deaf team international Joel Harris. In what is set to be a record year for kids’ participation in cricket, they appear alongside school children with the ambition of inspiring even more children to take up the sport, by giving their own perspectives on what cricket is to them, from playing in packed out stadiums to playing in the back garden with friends and family.
Alongside the new video, the ECB has collaborated with the campaigning organisation Playing Out to raise awareness of how local communities can safely close roads for outside play, encouraging them to get active and enjoy the game safely even in areas where outdoor space is limited. Links to Playing Out’s materials will be available through the ECB website to make it easier for communities to act.
Featuring next to the England stars are children from Mayfield Primary School in Oldham, including Elliot, aged 9 and Olivia, aged 10 who share why they love cricket. Elliot explains that he loves playing at his club because his teammates are so motivational, while Olivia likes playing cricket with her best friend Abigail, who says she is a really good bowler.
2024 set to be a big year for kids’ cricket
In 2023, a record 1.1 million children were supported to play cricket by ECB and partner programmes, and 2024 is now on track to surpass this.
Ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the 2030 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, more investment than ever will go into grassroots cricket to maximise their impact to inspire the next generation.
The ECB already invests £4 million each year to support the free delivery of cricket in schools via Chance to Shine and Lord’s Taverners, reaching 600,000 children, and working with every County Cricket Board across England and Wales.
This number will now increase as, in April, following extensive discussions with the ECB, the Government announced a £35 million investment in grassroots cricket facilities and widening access to the sport within state schools, enabling over 900,000 young people to play cricket over the next five years.
Beyond schools’ cricket, the ECB also funds or supports a range of other grassroots programmes which resulted in over a million children and young people playing the sport last year. From the National Programmes of All Stars and Dynamos for 5 – 11 year olds, to support for charity partners such as ACE, Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine, SACA and the MCC Foundation, cricket programmes in communities cater for every ability, with a clear focus on making cricket more accessible and inclusive.
The Play section of the ECB site contains support and materials for anyone who wants to get into cricket, or return to the sport, with information on clubs and community projects close to your home, materials for schools, or simply ideas on how you can play in the back garden or street.
With thanks to the ECB
