Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was at The Kia Oval this morning (April 05, 2024) to announce a £35 million investment in grassroots cricket facilities and widening access to the sport within state schools. The move aims to enable over 900,000 young people to play cricket over the next five years.
The event saw him meet Surrey’s T20 captain Chris Jordan, Club legend Ebony Rainford-Brent, England’s James Anderson, and former international Steven Finn alongside staff from the Surrey Cricket Foundation, ACE Programme, and many budding cricketers.
The investment will include a major capital programme that will see 16 state-of-the-art all-weather cricket domes built within host cities across England.
The domes will be covered and wind-protected and will allow for participation in cricket throughout the year – connecting school, community and talent programmes. Each dome will be built within diverse communities where figures have indicated low levels of physical activity. It follows the first cricket dome opened in Bradford in November last year.
The funding package will also bring additional funding to charities such as the ACE Programme to further their vital work in reconnecting the Black community with cricket. Organisations like Chance to Shine and Lord’s Taverners will also benefit from the announced investment, boosting their efforts to increase accessibility to cricket for children from lower socio-economic groups and children with special educational needs and disabilities respectively.
The total investment is expected to deliver around 2,500 pieces of new equipment across schools involved in the programmes, and help to get 930,000 pupils playing cricket over the next five years.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “For young people watching their first match today, the draw of getting outside and enjoying the game is just as strong, particularly as we look forward to hosting the Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cups.
“There remains huge potential to grow the sport even further and open it up to everyone, from all backgrounds and in all parts of the country, building on the great work of organisations such as ACE and Chance to Shine.
“That is why I am so proud we are making a major £35 million investment in grassroots cricket today, to widen participation in schools, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide world class, all-year-round facilities for local communities.”
ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: “We are delighted by this investment from the Government. It’s our ambition that cricket becomes the most inclusive sport in the country and that starts by giving children the chance to play from an early age and from whatever background or community they come from.
“It is vital that cricket is available in as many state schools and SEND schools across England and Wales as possible, and across diverse communities. This support from Government represents a seminal moment in enabling the game to invest significantly in areas that up until now have not had the support they deserve.
ACE Director of Programmes Chevy Green said: “We are greatly appreciative of the new Government funding for cricket. It will contribute to our growth as a charity, notably increasing our national programme support in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham with academy, community hub and school engagement.
“ACE aims to give its players the very best opportunity to continue their cricket development. The academy helps players to fulfil their potential in advancing into the professional game. Cricket allows them time to focus mentally, physically, tactically and socially. Not only do players develop their cricket skills but their social development integration skills too. This is very important for the young people who attend ACE, so they can express themselves and truly be themselves in a cricket environment.”
