Government Announces £35 Million Initiative to Elevate Cricket at Grassroots Level
The UK government has taken a significant step towards promoting cricket at the grassroots level with a £35 million initiative announced earlier this month by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The investment aims to elevate the sport, build facilities, and increase access for youth in state schools across England and Wales.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to get one million more young people physically active by 2030 and to bolster grassroots sport in the region. Supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the program targets over 900,000 young people to engage in cricket over the next five years, with a particular focus on youth with special needs and marginalized communities.
In recent years, cricket in the UK has faced criticism for a lack of diversity and inclusion among participants, with many players in the current England squads coming from privileged backgrounds. This initiative aims to address these issues by opening up the sport to everyone, regardless of background or location.
The program will unfold over the next five years, coinciding with England and Wales hosting the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the 2030 men’s edition. The initiative includes the construction of 16 urban all-weather cricket domes in diverse communities to facilitate year-round play and connect school, community, and talent programs.
In addition to the infrastructure development, £14 million will be distributed to three charities – Chance to Shine, Lord’s Taverners, and the ACE Programme Charity – to further promote cricket among children from various backgrounds. The government’s investment will also extend the ECB and Chance to Shine charity’s free, in-school cricket program to every school child in inner-city locations within the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities.
Overall, this initiative is a significant step towards making cricket more accessible and inclusive, with the aim of getting 930,000 children playing cricket by 2030. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed pride in the investment, emphasizing the importance of widening participation, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and providing world-class facilities for local communities.