From starting out as a tape-ball cricketer to training and inspiring young cricketers as a full-time Surrey Cricket Foundation Community Coach, Mo Shahid’s journey in cricket has come a full circle.
“That’s what the Surrey Cricket Foundation is all about – creating talent, training leaders, and building the clubs and communities where these journeys begin,’ shares Shahid, who now coaches across a range of programmes, from school sessions to street cricket, using the game as a tool to build confidence, discipline, and belonging.
In 2025 alone, the Foundation have strengthened the cricketing landscape in Surrey and south London by investing in and training 546 coaches – a 26% increase as compared to 2024.
Speaking about the first domino of his cricketing story, Shahid says: “My journey with the Foundation began by playing tape-ball cricket at the Wandsworth Chance to Shine Street programme. It was fast and fun, but I wanted more – a chance to play the hardball game and take my skills to the next level. The Foundation gave me that opportunity through the City Cup, a brilliant competition that helps players from diverse backgrounds transition into club cricket.”
Shahid continues to explain how the City Cup proved to be a significant stepping stone for him: “From there, I progressed to high-level hardball cricket, representing the 1st XI at Banstead CC and later Weybridge CC. Playing the game I loved was incredible, but I always felt a pull to give back.”
“That’s when I started my coaching journey. I trained for my qualifications and began coaching casually for the Foundation, determined to help young players find their path – just like I did. The support and mentoring I received were outstanding. The Foundation doesn’t just focus on the players; it invests in the coaches too,” he adds.
Shahid is extremely proud of how far he has come and is working every day to give back to the game so that more cricketers like him find a future in the sport. “My journey has come full circle: from a tape ball player supported by the Foundation to a coach shaping the next generation.”
His story is a powerful example of the Foundation’s commitment to developing the people who keep cricket thriving. Every new coach trained doesn’t just add capacity – they create new opportunities for the game to take root in more schools, more clubs, and more communities.
By investing in a skilled, diverse workforce, SCF is working to ensure cricket can happen everywhere: from playgrounds and parks to league grounds and community hubs.
