22 schools from up and down the county descended on Northern CC in Liverpool representing their boroughs as winners of local competitions and qualifying for the county final. 220 girls competed in group matches with winners and runners up of each group going on to the quarter final stage. Casterton took their good form finishing top of their group by defeating Mayfield Primary from Oldham in the quarters.

The semis saw Casterton just edge Orrell St James from Wigan out and in the other semi Gilded Hollins had convincing win over Benjamin Hargreaves Primary from Hyndburn. The final saw Casterton scoring 281 to Gilded Hollins’s 246 to be crowned 2016 champions.

Mark Dutton, Casterton Primary, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the girls winning the 2016 Girls Kwik Cricket County Final, this is an excellent achievement. We came through to the county final by winning a tough Burnley District competition against 20 other schools.

“At Casterton we’ve given the girls the same opportunities in cricket as the boys and have provided time and space for them in the school yard to play. Some of them go on to play at our after school mixed sessions and we also have good links with Burnley CC and Lowerhouse CC, where some of the girls continue to play and it’s great to see that a couple have been invited to county trials at Under 11 age group.”

Rudra Singh, Education Manager for the Lancashire Cricket Board, added: “Kwik Cricket is a fun way for children of primary school age to experience cricket. Its emphasis is always on participation, enjoyment and fair play and it was pleasing to see that in abundance at the competition.

“My thanks go to all the children that took part and more importantly to the teachers for their continued hard work and support in schools giving these girls the opportunities to play cricket. I would also like to thank Northern CC for hosting and making it a memorable day for everyone concerned.”

You can see a short video of interviews from the day here.

Report courtesy of Lancashire Cricket Board

• Sunday Sept 20: Milford Hall Cricket Club, Staffordshire, 10.00-15.00
• Sunday Sept 20: Timperley Sports Club, Lancashire, 10.00-15.00
• Sunday Sept 27: Plumtree Cricket Club, Nottinghamshire, 11.00-17.00

The festivals focus on being fun, social and inclusive and involve six- and eight-a-side matches.  Participants are able to sign-up individually, with a friend or with a group of friends as a team.  Find our more here.

So, come along and join in the fun, whether starting from scratch or wanting to improve your skills: time to show that this girl definitely can!

They will be presenting a 6 a-side, mixed softball tournament, which in its simplest form is ‘Kwik Cricket’, so no cricket experience is needed.

Currently, seven teams have already entered to play in the festival, and it is free to submit a team.

Head of Sussex Cricket in the Community, Tim Shutt, said: “A key part of the Sussex Cricket in the Community strategy is to provide inclusive opportunities for all and here is another example of where this is the case.

“Sussex has a large LGBT Community and we are very much looking forward to welcoming new faces to Hove for an enjoyable afternoon.”

The Graces Cricket Club, the only gay cricket club in the country, will also be present.

Along with the softball tournament there will also be a BBQ and drinks at the bar available, with everyone welcome to attend.

If you would like to enter a team or simply attend the festival, or require more information then please contact Sussex’s CSR & Partnerships Manager Faye Russell via faye.russell@sussexcricket.co.uk

Lancashire Cricket Board has distributed funds from the Scheme to clubs, aiming to improve their long term sustainability and / or to increase the number of games played.

Clubs applied to fund projects including refurbishment to kitchens and social areas, the purchase of covers supporting ECB’s Get the Game On campaign, and environmental sustainability helping clubs become the heart of their local community. The clubs supported this year are:

• Astley & Tyldesley CC
• Baxenden CC
• Cherry Tree CC
• Croston CC
• Denton CC
• Didsbury CC
• Enfield CC
• Freckleton CC
• Garstang CC
• Golborne CC
• Goose Green CC
• Greenfield CC
• Lancaster CC
• Littleborough Lakeside CC
• Mawdesley CC
• Nelson CC
• Newton-Le-Willows CC
• Old Xaverians CC
• Salesbury CC
• Shaw CC
• Thornham CC
• Thornton Cleveleys CC
• Uppermill CC
• Whittle & Clayton Le Woods CC
• Withnell Fold CC
• Woodhouses CC

Waitrose, the England Team sponsor, supported this initiative by pledging £100 for every four or six scored across the entire home international summer in 2014. The Waitrose donation, alongside investment from Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Trust, has allowed more local communities to benefit.

Paul Bryson, LCB’s Clubs & Leagues Manager, said: “This is a fantastic Scheme that has given much needed support to Lancashire clubs across a variety of projects. The scheme allows clubs to make a real difference within the local community.”

Mike Gatting, ECB Cricket Partnership Ambassador, said: “We’re passionate about creating a sustainable future for cricket clubs and their communities across England and Wales. Small grants to clubs across Lancashire make a huge difference to their long term future.”

Rupert Elwood, Head of Marketing for Waitrose, added: “As they prepare for a busy summer of fixtures, we are proud to see the positive impact these funds will have on local clubs. We are especially excited that so many clubs are investing in their kitchen and social areas. This grant scheme is dedicated to grassroots cricket, supporting clubs as they build their fundraising activities and ensure a longstanding future as a key part of the local community. We are also delighted to announce we’ll be running the Waitrose Boundary Fund again this year. During the upcoming Ashes Series, we’ll be donating £100 for every four or six scored by England.”

Charles Johnston, Director of Property at Sport England, said: “We’re pleased to support the ECB in its Small Grants Scheme. We know that people have a better experience of sport when they have good places to play and get changed. With this scheme helping clubs improve facilities and equipment, it will enable clubs to provide more regular opportunities for practice, matches and social activities, benefitting the local community.”

Sussex Cricket in the Community was formed a year ago, with the aim being to use the values that are central to cricket as a way of increasing educational performance and promoting healthy lifestyles, and to encourage more people from more diverse communities to play and follow cricket.

Today, Sussex Cricket in the Community have been joined by Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade to launch the “No Boundaries” programme, a training programme specifically for those currently unemployed who are seeking to enhance their employability skills.

The programme, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, will see in the region of 90 people from Brighton and Hove in several cohorts over the next 6 months. Sussex is the first county cricket body in England to work directly with this government arm, focusing exclusively on education and employability.

Tim Shutt, Head of Sussex Cricket in the Community said, “Cricket, and sport in general, is a very powerful tool. Whilst the Sussex Cricket Board has delivered participation programmes for many years to numerous community groups, this is the first major venture within the strategy to use cricket to support adult education and employability. The programme is the first of its kind in cricket in this country.”

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade said, “I admire very much what Sussex Cricket in the Community are doing to help local people improve their skills. As a landmark stadium bringing world class cricket to the heart of Hove it’s great that they are reaching out to local residents to give them the opportunity to receive employment training. I will do all I can to support the programme and help it become a success.”

Marc Smith, from the Department of Work and Pensions said “We are proud to be supporting Sussex Cricket in the Community with their innovative “No Boundaries” Programme. We believe it will be a very positive experience for the people in the Brighton and Hove area who need more in-depth support to achieve their aspirations.”

Sussex Cricket in the Community is a collaborative venture, governed by the Sussex Cricket Board and delivered in conjunction with Sussex County Cricket Club and the charitable arm, namely Sussex Cricket in the Community Trust. For more information, visit www.sussexcricket.co.uk/scitc

Leagues across the country are being encouraged to introduce innovative formats, rule changes, different start times, shorter travel distances to matches and greater opportunities for women, girls and disability cricketers to play the game.

The 2015 survey is now open and aims to generate new and innovative ideas which will help to retain existing players and increase take-up of the sport. Every player, from Premier League cricketers to the occasional Sunday friendly player, is being urged to have their say on all aspects of the recreational game.

Last year more than 37,000 current and former players nationwide responded to the survey – giving the ECB a fresh insight into how best to improve and support the grassroots game.

And this year ECB and its network of County Cricket Boards and leagues are keen to hear an even wider range of views, because they really can make a difference.

Nearly 100 leagues have already revised structures or formats this season based on player feedback over the last twelve months, including:

• 14 have reduced game day travel time by localising the league or division
• 44 have changed the timing of games so that they finish earlier and leave time for other activities on Saturday nights
• 35 have made changes to the length of the game by reducing the number of overs responding to those that want a shorter game
• 44 have introduced new ideas for those players who want a new format (mid-season T20, end of season 6 a side)
• 100 leagues have signed up to the Get the Game On campaign to look at ways in which more games get played including flexible rules and provision in the case of wet weather

Gordon Hollins, ECB Chief Operating Officer, said: “We had an excellent response to this survey last year and we’re keen to hear from even more cricketers across the county this summer. It’s a great way for players of all ages and experience to give feedback, make suggestions and actively influence the future of the amateur game. Whether it’s varying match times, changing formats or experimenting with rule changes, we’re open to all ideas which will help boost participation and we would urge every player to have their say and help shape the future of grassroots cricket.”

The National Cricket Playing Survey is live here and will be available until 11:59am Wednesday 15^th July 2015.