Surrey County Cricket Club and the Surrey Cricket Foundation are looking to hear from older Members and Supporters who can share their stories of the important role cricket has played in their retirement.
Through a trio of interconnected campaigns in 2023 Surrey are looking to show the positive impact involvement in cricket can have across an entire lifetime, even if you are not – or have never been – a professional player.
Throughout the course of the ‘It’s Not Just Sport, It’s Art’ campaign, Surrey has been engaging with children and young people, sharing stories of Surrey’s history and asking why they love the sport of cricket.
In the recently launched ‘A Life in Cricket’ campaign, we have chosen to shine a light on the professional opportunities available within the industry of cricket.
Finally, through ‘Cricket In Retirement’ we want to show how the community of cricket can be of benefit as people leave the world of work and enter their retirement years.
If you, or anyone you know, has a story you would like to tell, or would like to simply share your experiences of the positive impact cricket has had in your retirement years, please email retirement@surreycricket.com with your name, age and a bit about why cricket is such an important part of your life.
As part of this campaign, Surrey CCC will also be working closely with the Surrey Cricket Foundation to showcase the important work that is happening around ‘Walking Cricket’.
This will build on the event held during the Lunch break of the Surrey LV= Insurance County Championship game against Northamptonshire last June at The Kia Oval.
That event saw players from Epsom Thoroughbreds, Pirbright Penguins and Cobham Cavaliers take part in an exhibition match, showing The Kia Oval crowd how the game is played.
Walking cricket, in its simplest form, is a walking version of the game which provides opportunities for a range of people to continue participating in a sport they love. Walking cricket provides opportunities to manage physical and mental health as well as providing a social network for others with a passion for the game.
Walking cricket sessions are mixed and players don’t need any protective equipment like pads, gloves or a helmet, as a softball is used and everything else needed is provided.
Whilst not exclusive to the older generation, walking cricket has proved particularly useful in keeping people active and social in their later years.
Simon Hards, Assistant Director of Cricket Participation for the Surrey Cricket Foundation, who has responsibility for the walking cricket programmes, said at the time: “Diversity is so important to us and that covers a wide range of areas including age. Walking cricket is another way for our older players who might not be involved in the game anymore or who are trying to maintain an interest to do so.
“We are looking to support more clubs to start offering walking cricket. We believe it could provide clubs with a great additional offering for their local communities and walking cricket is an activity that can be easily set up and delivered.
“Walking cricket can keep people in the game all the way to 80-plus, meaning a lifetime playing the game.”
Surrey Cricket Foundation have been working with a number of clubs across Surrey to encourage the development of more Walking Cricket hubs.
If you’re interested in learning more about Walking Cricket, fill in the form here and someone from Surrey Cricket Foundation will be in touch.
If you, or anyone you know, has a story you would like to tell, or simply share your experiences of the positive impact cricket has had in your retirement years, please email retirement@surreycricket.com
Through the Summer, we will be looking to speak to people directly about their experiences, so you may be contacted by someone at the Club to arrange a longer interview, providing you were happy to do so.
