Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a £35 million initiative aimed at improving grassroots cricket facilities and expanding access to the sport in state schools.
Led by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the initiative intends to enable over 900,000 young individuals to engage in cricket over the next five years. It will also facilitate the construction of 16 advanced all-weather cricket domes across England and promote diversity within the sport.
Richard Thompson, Chair of ECB, expressed enthusiasm about the government’s investment, emphasizing the ambition to make cricket the most inclusive sport in the country. The investment timeline aligns with significant cricket events such as the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2030 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and cricket’s return to the Olympics after over a century.
The proposed domes, designed to withstand various weather conditions, will allow year-round cricket participation and serve as central hubs for school, community, and talent programs. These domes will be strategically located in diverse communities with identified low levels of physical activity.
The funding will also support the expansion of partnerships between the ECB and Chance to Shine, focusing on in-school cricket initiatives. Efforts will be made to reach children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, particularly in inner-city areas across the 16 World Cup host cities.
Laura Cordingley, CEO of Chance to Shine, hailed the investment as fantastic news for cricket, emphasizing the game’s ability to engage young people regardless of gender or background.
Overall, the investment aims to provide new equipment to participating schools and involve approximately 930,000 pupils in cricket activities over the next five years. Additionally, funds will be allocated to the charity Lord’s Taverners to improve access for 80,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The ACE Programme, focused on addressing underrepresentation in cricket, will also receive funding to strengthen connections with the Black British community.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted his personal connection to cricket and stressed the importance of making the sport accessible to all, regardless of background. He expressed pride in the substantial investment to promote cricket in schools, encourage healthy lifestyles, and provide top-notch facilities for local communities.
