A few months ago, we shared details of the launch of the Hounslow Community Cricket Partnership which aims to make cricket accessible for children in the borough - inspiring fun participation, building confidence and helping young people to get active. The founding partners Middlesex in the Community (MITC),Sky, Sport Impact and Hounslow Council are delighted to now announce a number of enhancements to the cricket offering in Hounslow.
To give a brilliant first impression of cricket, there will be an innovative pilot to take the ECB’s All Stars programme into primary schools to introduce cricket to children in Years 1-3. This programme will see Middlesex in the Community coaches deliver weekly sessions in a number of primary schools throughout the school year, reaching as many children as possible. Linked to this, and to celebrate the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, there will be an annual Year 4 cricket festival for girls at the QEII Sportsground in Brentford (Middlesex Cricket’s new dedicated home for women’s and girls’ cricket), with the first taking place on Thursday 2nd July- just a few days before the World Cup final is held at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
To encourage regular play, the partnership will ensure there are clear pathways from schools to local clubs, with information and signposts on a new dedicated Hounslow community cricket webpage on the Middlesex Cricket website. Information about the full offer will be available on this page as the project develops and expands. One thing that will feature is a new Street Cricket Club for Hounslow, offering young people a more casual opportunity to develop their cricket and life skills, for free, whilst also taking part in informal matches. The partnership will also explore the creation of free-play cricket areas in parks and playgrounds across the borough.
Delivery of this work is going to be possible thanks to Sky funding a new, dedicated female cricket coach to work with MITC to deliver School and Community programmes, boost teacher training, support existing school delivery and, in the future, set-up a youth volunteer programme.
Information about these initiative and future updates will be available on the Hounslow Community Cricket page of our site.
Speaking of the initiatives, Middlesex in the Community’s Senior Partnership Manager (Recreational Programmes) Chloe Longdon said:
“It’s fantastic to be at the point of launching the initiatives for the Hounslow Community Cricket Partnership. We are excited to see the impact we can have on the community through the cricket opportunities we’re creating and to continue working closely with all involved in the project to best serve the children of Hounslow.”
The Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, said:
""We welcome this new introductory cricket programme for children in our schools, as well as a celebration of the women’s game with a cricket festival for young girls, this summer.
We’re also happy to be working with this dynamic new partnership and hope to bring free-play cricket to our parks and playgrounds soon."
Carolyn Evans, Partnership Director for Sport Impact, the school sports partnership for the borough, said:
“We’re proud to be part of this innovative partnership and looking forward to seeing it come to life in our schools, giving more pupils the chance to play and enjoy cricket.”
Fiona Ball, Group Director, Bigger Picture & Sustainability (Responsible Business, Sustainability and Social Impact) at Sky:
“Sky volunteers are proud to play a part in these initiatives, helping more young people experience cricket and supporting greater access for girls across the game.”
