The Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre at BACA

This flagship partnership continues to see Sussex Cricket leading the way in giving children at state schools the chance to break into the top tiers of men’s and women’s cricket. For Sussex Cricket, BACA is the state school of choice for cricket in Sussex.

Lead Pathway Coach, Ashley Wright is now the official coach for BACA’s new Junior Cricket Pathway, which offers students in years 7-11 a personalised programme of cricket activities that fit around their academic studies at the academy.

Sussex Cricket 1st XI coaches, James Kirtley, Ian Salisbury, Jason Swift and Head of Talent Pathway, Richard Halsall will also have weekly involvement at the school from September as part of the new partnership, while Sussex coaches and players will be available for leadership workshops and 1-to-1 mentoring of students.

The partnership builds on the six-year relationship between the three organisations that began with the launch of the Aldridge Cricket Academy at BACA’s 6th form college, enabling students to combine high-level academic studies with an intensive cricket development programme.

Over 100 boys and girls from Brighton, Hove and across Sussex have experienced the programme to date. Graduates include current Sussex CCC player Will Sheffield; Tara Norris, a Sussex Women, England Under-19 and Loughborough Lightning player; Ariana Dowse, who has gone on to play for Hampshire Women; and Liam O’Brien, England Physical Disability Team Player and an England PD Cricketer of the Year.

Mike Atherton described BACA as “a beacon for the sport in the state sector” and praised the partnership with Sussex Cricket. The academy is just one of four state secondary schools named by the Cricketer Magazine in its top 100 Cricketing schools 2020. The square at BACA’s Premier League standard playing facilities is maintained by Sussex Cricket ground staff.

Sussex Cricket Chief Executive, Rob Andrew said: “This is an outward statement by Sussex Cricket to be one of the first Counties to implement the recommendations of the England & Wales Cricket Board in its 5-year plan, “Inspiring Generations,” designed to address the dearth of organised cricket in state secondary schools.

“With its magnificent dedicated facilities, BACA fits the bill wonderfully and we have high hopes that it will provide an increasing number of high-quality youngsters within the Sussex Cricket Pathway.”

Principal of Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, Bob Speight, said: “As Sussex Cricket’s state school of choice, we are excited to provide the same opportunities for boys and girls in local state schools to play the game and develop as those who go to independent fee-paying schools have always had open to them.”

“Whether starting secondary school, working towards GCSEs or in sixth form, this partnership with Sussex Cricket means that BACA students can combine their academic studies with top class cricket coaching in exceptional facilities. For parents there’s no compromise between academic studies and sporting development; no rush to get from school to training every day; and no school fees.”

Founder of The Aldridge Foundation, Sir Rod Aldridge added: “The Aldridge Foundation’s aim is to encourage students to be bold, independent and confident. We believe that sport, and particularly cricket, inspires young people to fulfil their true potential and develop the social, emotional and physical skills needed to thrive later in life.

“I am delighted to be part of such a ground-breaking programme with Sussex Cricket. I look forward to seeing even more BACA students playing for Sussex men’s and women’s teams – and hopefully internationally – in future.”

BACA is rated Good by Ofsted and holds the prestigious MCC Hub status. To find out more about BACA and how they can fulfil your cricketing and academic aspirations please click here to view their current prospectus.

Courtesy of Sussex Cricket

The ground will welcome England for the fourth and final ODI of their Royal London Series against India (2pm) on Thursday 9th July and their first of two Vitality IT20s against South Africa (6.30pm) on Tuesday 1st September.

The fixtures complete a packed schedule of major women’s matches at The 1st Central County Ground in 2020.

Southern Brave will call the venue home during The Hundred with the team taking on Oval Invincibles on Friday 31st and Manchester Originals July on Wednesday 12th August at the ground.

The 1st Central County Ground will also host the finals day of the premier women’s domestic competition for a fourth consecutive year. The Hundred finals take place at Hove on Friday 14th August.

Sussex and England star Danni Wyatt can’t wait for the summer ahead at her home ground: “As a Sussex player I love playing at Hove and it’s become a real home for women’s cricket.

“The Kia Super League finals days were always a big hit and hopefully The Hundred final as well as this year’s internationals will be the same.

“The crowds are always good and they get behind the team so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Supporters can receive priority access to tickets for England’s two internationals at The 1st Central County Ground this summer by registering their interest at www.sussexcricket.co.uk.

The priority window opens on Monday 24th February. Remaining tickets go on general sale on Monday 9th March.

Courtesy of Sussex Cricket 

Photo: Sussex Cricket

Phil was joined by the All Stars mascot, Twinkle to introduce boys and girls from reception, year one and year two classes to the basics of cricket and tell them about this summer’s programme.

With the 1st Central Sussex Cricket Foundation Roadshow set up in the playground, the children were able to pick up a bat and ball – many for the first time – and try their hand at the kind of activities on offer at All Stars Cricket sessions.

All Stars Cricket is the England & Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) national entry-level participation programme aimed at providing girls and boys aged five to eight with a great first experience of the sport.

Last year, in Sussex alone, over 1,500 children took part in All Stars Cricket at 53 clubs across the county. Sixty-two clubs have signed up to host the programme in 2019, with more than 2,000 participants expected.

Photo: Sussex Cricket

The visit to Our Lady of Lourdes is one of a number being delivered by Sussex Cricket Foundation at primary schools and community centres in March and April. Over 12,000 children will be given a flavour of All Stars Cricket and encouraged to sign up to their local centre ahead of the start of this year’s programme in May.

Every child that registers will have a backpack containing an All Stars Cricket bat, ball, personalised t-shirt, cap and activity book sent to their door, so they have everything they need for their first session.

Anybody that is registered before the end of March will be in with the chance of becoming a ‘trophy mascot’ at this summer’s men’s ICC Cricket World Cup that is being held in England and Wales.

For details of your nearest centre and to register a child for All Stars Cricket, visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk.

Reflecting on his visit, Phil said: “This is a great initiative. Things are kept very simple with the kids allowed to just pick up a bat and ball and enjoy themselves.

Photo: Sussex Cricket

“They’re buzzing and enjoyment is what it’s all about. It’s not about everyone having a perfect forward defensive, it’s about getting kids into cricket and making sure they have loads of fun doing it.

“It’s great to come and see the Sussex Cricket Foundation’s work at a visit like today, it puts things into perspective and reminds you why you love the game and why it’s so important to give as many kids as possible the chance to discover their own passion for cricket.”

Discussing the All Stars Cricket programme as a whole, Sussex Cricket Foundation’s All Stars Cricket lead, Ollie Smith said: “All Stars Cricket is a fantastic programme and has been a real success in Sussex. Its impact on participation at clubs can be seen even after just two years.

“However, we are looking to build on this early success and make 2019 our biggest and best year yet! We want the programme to inspire as many children and new families to get involved with cricket as it can.”

Courtesy of Sussex Cricket

On the back of bumper crowds and electric atmospheres in 2017 and 2018, the home of Sussex Cricket has been selected to host Kia Super League Finals Day for a third consecutive season on Sunday 1^st September 2019.

Earlier in the summer, Hove will play its part in the hotly anticipated Women’s Ashes series. The 1^st Central County Ground will host England and newly-crowned world champions, Australia in a repeat of Saturday’s ICC World T20 final, in an international T20 on the afternoon of Sunday 28^th July.

There will also be Kia Super League (KSL) group stage action on offer. Southern Vipers will again play one of their home matches at The 1^st Central County Ground, with details announced tomorrow at 5pm when the full KSL fixture list is released.

Looking forward to another wonderful summer of women’s cricket at Sussex Cricket, chief executive Rob Andrew said: “It’s a real honour to be hosting both an Ashes match and Kia Super League Finals Day.

“We’re very proud of the work we’ve done to make Hove a venue supporters associate with women’s cricket and we’re very grateful to have been given the chance to grow this reputation further next summer.

“As all cricket lovers know, it doesn’t get much bigger than an Ashes series. The last time we hosted England Women v Australia, the ground was sold out and we’d love for the same to happen next July.

“After the success of the last two editions, Kia Super League Finals Day is now associated with The 1^st Central County Ground in much the same way as Edgbaston is linked with the men’s equivalent.

“It’s one of the best days in the cricketing calendar – men or women’s. The atmosphere is brilliant, and the crowds keep getting bigger.

“As well as providing fantastic spectacles in their own rights, we want these matches to inspire the next generation of cricketers and help contribute to a successful future for the game in Sussex and beyond.”

Tickets for all three women’s matches at The 1^st Central County Ground in 2019 will go on sale on Friday February 1^st 2019.

Hospitality packages for England v Australia on Sunday 28^th July 2019 and Kia Super League Finals Day on Sunday 1^st September 2019 will be available from Monday 3^rd December 2018. For more information or to express your interest, please email corporatesales@sussexcricket.co.uk.

Women’s matches at The 1^st Central County Ground in 2019

Sunday 28^th July – England v Australia, IT20

Sunday 1^st September – Kia Super League Finals Day

Date & Opposition TBC – Southern Vipers KSL group match

Courtesy of Sussex Cricket

The sessions will take place between 10 and 11.30am at The 1^st Central County Ground, Hove every Tuesday from 27^th November with the aim of engaging older members of the local community in social activities through their love of sport.

The sessions – the first of their kind in the South of England – are organised by the Sussex Cricket Foundation, the charitable arm of Sussex Cricket that aims to actively change lives through the power of cricket, with help from local volunteers.

Volunteer training, mentoring and resources are being provided by The Sporting Memories Foundation, the national charity that tackles dementia, depression and loneliness through its unique blend of social activities, sporting reminiscence and games.

Sessions will utilise a wealth of archive photographic, video and audio material – provided by The Sporting Memories Foundation – to stimulate discussion and reminiscences amongst participants.

Participants that would like to will also have the opportunity to take part in low-intensity games and activities for all abilities.

Linda Bowen, the Sussex Cricket Foundation Development Officer in charge of the Sporting Memories project, said: “Keeping active and socialising is key to good physical and mental well-being. The aim of this group is to provide a fun, sociable and friendly group where sports fans or those that used to play are able to simply talk sport!

“Despite taking place at the county cricket ground, all sports will be covered, not just cricket.  There is just as likely to be a discussion about boxing, motor racing or football. The group is designed to be accessible to all, regardless of age, ability or fitness level and I would encourage people to get in touch to find out more, or to simply drop into one of the weekly groups”.

Chris Wilkins, co-founder of The Sporting Memories Foundation added: “We are very excited about our partnership with Sussex Cricket and look forward to helping them establish a growing number of Sporting Memories Clubs across the county over the next three years”

The sessions are free, although a £1 donation to cover the cost of light refreshments would be welcomed.

Anyone who would like to attend the sessions, who knows someone that would like to or who would like more information should contact Linda Bowen on 07947 521 836 or vialinda.bowen@sussexcricket.co.uk

It is hoped that this first group in Hove will lead to a network of similar clubs across Sussex. If you are interested in volunteering to help set up another Sussex Cricket Sporting Memories Club in your area, please contact Linda Bowen.

Fireworks Night, presented by Domestic & General, took place on Saturday 5th November and the event attracted the largest crowd at Hove for a Fireworks evening for many years.

The money raised largely contributed towards Rockinghorse’s Christmas activity at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. This included activity within the hospital itself, such as presents, decorations and entertainment over the festive period, as well as a dedicated outpatients’ Christmas party for 250 children, held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.

Funds also helped to kick-start their 50th anniversary appeal; ‘Sussex Giving for Sussex Children’. Through this appeal, they aim to raise £500,000 in 2017 to be split between 10 children’s centres and paediatric services in Sussex.

Analiese Doctrove, Head of Fundraising at Rockinghorse, said, “Through our charity of the year partnership with Domestic & General and our strong relationship with the team at Sussex Cricket, we were delighted to have been one of the beneficiaries of the Fireworks Night at the 1st Central County Ground.

“To receive £5,000 from the event provided a wonderful boost for our Christmas activity at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, as well as our Sussex Giving for Sussex Children 50th year appeal. Our thanks go to Domestic & General, Sussex Cricket and attendees of the Fireworks Night for their incredible generosity.”

Fireworks Night was presented by Domestic & General, and Brona Ratcliffe, Head of Contact Centre HR, said, “Not only are the 1^st Central County Ground Fireworks a great community event, they’re a fantastic way to support worthy local causes.

“As a local business, we’re delighted to have been able to sponsor the event and help raise such a significant sum for our charity of the year in the process. A big thank you goes to everyone who bought tickets and made donations on the night.”

Mark Judges, Commercial Manager at Sussex Cricket said, “It was fantastic to work in partnership with a local business and major employer within the county such as Domestic & General. Without their support, this event could not have taken place so we thank them for their sponsorship.

“Rockinghorse are an incredible local charity that we’re always proud to support. The money raised is a result of the generosity of the Sussex public, who turned up in their thousands to enjoy what we all agree was a fantastic evening for the community.”

Click HERE to see their video which captured the successful Fireworks Night, via the Sussex Cricket YouTube Channel.

Photo above shows: Analiese Doctrove, Head of Fundraising at Rockinghorse (second from right) receives the Sussex Cricket donation from (L-R): Jackie Ashwood, Regional Operations Coordinator for Domestic & General and Kirsty Peasley, Head of Communications for Contact Centres, Domestic & General, Rob Andrew, Chief Executive of Sussex Cricket and Mark Judges, Sussex Cricket Commercial Manager

Report courtesy of Sussex Cricket

Fireworks Night, presented by Domestic & General, will take place on Saturday 5th November and the club have also announced that the event will be raising money for various local charities, after the evening was able to raise funds for the Shoreham Air Show Fund last year.

Attendees can look forward to a superb pyrotechnic display, from Aurora Fireworks, which is guaranteed to wow the crowds. There will be plenty of pre-display entertainment too with a number of acts lined up to perform, including Skaletons and Hannah Renton.

The gates will open at Hove at 6.00pm to allow spectators to take advantage of the excellent catering facilities that will be available around the ground, with pre-display entertainment beginning at 6.45pm, and the fireworks show commencing at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 for Adults, £5 for Under 16’s, whilst a family ticket for the event is £25 (two adults and two children). Family tickets are only available in advance.

They are on sale NOW and the easiest way to purchase your tickets is here .

They can also be purchased in person from the Club Shop at Hove between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday, or by calling 0844 264 0206 in the same office hours.

The reserve day for the display, should bad weather deem it not possible for the display to take place, is Saturday 12^th November.

Report courtesy of Sussex Cricket