Forty young cricketers got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be coached by cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara as well as show their skills on the centre wicket at the Kia Oval last month, courtesy of Surrey’s headline partner, Kia.
The Kia Grassroots Day, aimed at helping to inspire a next generation of cricketers, kicked off with training sessions in the morning. The group of 40 participants, all aged between 11 and 14, received insights from the former Sri Lanka and Surrey star, alongside coaches from the Surrey Cricket Foundation, to hone their cricketing ability.
After the training sessions in the morning, the young cricketers moved over to the outdoor nets to continue their warm-up, before participating in a competitive match on the hallowed turf of the Kia Oval in the afternoon, all while having access to the nets and coaches to continue with their practice.
Amidst playing cricket, the group was also taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the ground, which is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. On the tour, they learned about the storied history of Surrey County Cricket Club, the greats of the game who have graced the Kia Oval over the years, how the Ashes was born in Kennington, and much more.
The occasion was made even more special and memorable for each participant when they were gifted a Surrey T20 shirt and handed a signed certificate from Sangakkara to wrap up an eventful Kia Grassroots Day.
Sangakkara, who is a favourite at the Club, used to electrify Surrey fans with his stunning stroke-making during his three years in the Three Feathers. The silky, Sri Lankan left-hander scored just under 3,500 first-class runs at an average of over 60, including 14 tons, in his time in south London.
Speaking about the aim and the impact of the day, Sangakkara said: “Grassroots Day at the iconic Kia Oval is our chance to guide, coach and inspire 40 lucky kids, showing them what cricket has to offer both on and off the pitch. We are proud to give back to the young cricketers of today, who are just discovering what this incredible sport is all about. Sport inspires us, builds confidence and creates opportunities to grow.”
Steve Hicks, Marketing Director at Kia UK, added: “Inspiring the next generation of cricket players and fans is a key tenet of our long-standing partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club.
“The Kia Grassroots Day is a major part of this commitment, giving young cricketers the chance to learn first-hand from Kumar Sangakkara, one of the Club’s most celebrated talents.
“We’re proud to support the Club in creating this wonderful opportunity.”
