Cricket for All: How Grassroots Programmes Are Changing Lives Across the UK
Cricket in England is experiencing a grassroots revolution. From a charity celebrating its eight-millionth participant to street cricket sessions keeping young people away from negative influences, community cricket programmes are reaching more children than ever before. And with hundreds of courses available on BusyKids under the cricket tag, there has never been a better time to get your child involved.
Chance to Shine Hits 8 Million Children
In May 2026, the charity Chance to Shine celebrated a remarkable milestone: eight million children have now taken part in its programme to bring cricket into state schools. The landmark was marked at John Henry Newman Academy in Oxford, where 11-year-old Ava became the eight-millionth participant during a special cricket takeover day featuring England fast bowler Sonny Baker.
Established in 2005 with support from the England and Wales Cricket Board, Chance to Shine now delivers free cricket sessions in one in four state schools across England and Wales. Half of all participants have been girls, meaning the programme has dramatically improved access to cricket for young women in a way that simply did not exist two decades ago.
Chance to Shine in Numbers
- 8 million children reached since 2005
- 21 years of delivering cricket in state schools
- 1 in 4 state schools across England and Wales now receive sessions
- 50% of all participants have been girls
- Named Street Club of the Year awarded to Newcastle programme in 2025
Kate Stevens, the charity's chief executive, noted that many people think cricket is complicated, but at its core it is a game of teamwork, fun, strategy, and resilience. Baker, who himself was introduced to cricket through his state school maths teachers before playing in a Chance to Shine tournament, said the programme reminded him why he originally got into the sport: "just to have fun and enjoy it with your mates."
Street Cricket: Keeping Kids Off the Streets
In Byker, Newcastle, street cricket is making a tangible difference to young lives. More than 20 young people aged 8 to 24 meet weekly for free sessions run by African Community Advice North East (ACANE) in partnership with StreetGames and Chance to Shine. The programme offers an alternative to hanging around at home or on the streets, providing young people from challenging backgrounds with something positive and enjoyable.
ACANE leader Gaby Kitoko started the scheme in 2021 as a pilot to help develop skills outside of school. Cricket was chosen deliberately as a sport sometimes overlooked in favour of football, offering something different to the community. The programme has already seen success, with some participants going on to university. In November 2025, the Newcastle scheme was named Street Club of the Year by Chance to Shine, beating hundreds of other clubs across the UK.
Police Using Cricket to Build Community Trust
In Birmingham and Coventry, police forces are partnering with Warwickshire Cricket Foundation to run Chance 2 Shine street cricket sessions as a way to engage with young people and build community relations. Weekly sessions in areas including Sparkhill, Nechells, Aston, and Lozells use the sport to break down barriers between officers and young people in some of the most deprived parts of the city.
Sgt Chris Gallon of West Midlands Police explained that many young people in these areas are passionate about cricket, and the sport provides a natural way to start conversations and earn trust — helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in the process.
Cricket Programmes on BusyKids
We list hundreds of cricket courses across the UK under our cricket activity tag. Here's a breakdown of the main programme types available, with sample courses from each.
ECB All Stars Cricket (Ages 5-8)
The ECB's flagship introductory programme for children aged 5-8. All Stars Cricket provides activity and game-based sessions suitable for all skill levels, giving children the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket while making friends in a safe environment. Sessions typically run weekly for 8 weeks during the summer at local cricket clubs, costing around £50 for the full course (which includes a kit pack with bat, ball, backpack, and personalised shirt).
All Stars Cricket - Skipton Cricket Club
ECB All Stars
No reviews yet
All Stars Cricket provides non-stop fun for all children aged 5-8 years old. The activity and game based programme is suitable for all skill levels, providing your child with the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket.
All Stars Cricket - Darley Cricket Club
ECB All Stars
No reviews yet
All Stars Cricket provides non-stop fun for all children aged 5-8 years old. The activity and game based programme is suitable for all skill levels, providing your child with the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket.
All Stars Cricket - Burley-in-Wharfedale CC
ECB All Stars
No reviews yet
All Stars Cricket provides non-stop fun for all children aged 5-8 years old. The activity and game based programme is suitable for all skill levels, providing your child with the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket.
Browse all All Stars courses →
ECB Dynamos Cricket (Ages 8-11)
The next step up from All Stars, Dynamos Cricket is designed for boys and girls aged 8-11. Each week focuses on a different cricket skill to build confidence and ability, before participants take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match. Like All Stars, sessions run weekly at local clubs during the summer months and cost around £50 for the full programme.
Dynamos Cricket - Skipton Cricket Club
ECB Dynamos
No reviews yet
Dynamos Cricket provides boys and girls from 8-11 years old with non-stop fun. Each week there will be a focus on a different cricket skill to build their confidence and ability, before they take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match.
Dynamos Cricket - Otley CC
ECB Dynamos
No reviews yet
Dynamos Cricket provides boys and girls from 8-11 years old with non-stop fun. Each week there will be a focus on a different cricket skill to build their confidence and ability, before they take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match.
Dynamos Cricket - Starbeck Cricket Club
ECB Dynamos
No reviews yet
Dynamos Cricket provides boys and girls from 8-11 years old with non-stop fun. Each week there will be a focus on a different cricket skill to build their confidence and ability, before they take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match.
Chance to Shine Street Cricket (Ages 8-25)
Completely free weekly cricket sessions delivered in communities across England and Wales. Street Cricket targets young people aged 8-25 in areas where access to sport is limited, using an informal, high-energy format that requires no prior experience. Sessions run year-round at leisure centres, schools, and community venues — often with dedicated girls-only sessions available. The programme is delivered through county cricket boards in partnership with Chance to Shine and StreetGames.
Street Cricket - Aston Saturday
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation
No reviews yet
Free Chance to Shine Street Cricket session for ages 8-15. Weekly sessions every Saturday during term time at Broadway Academy, Perry Barr, Birmingham.
Street Cricket - Aylesbury (Ages 8-11)
Buckinghamshire Cricket
No reviews yet
Free Chance to Shine Street Cricket session for boys and girls ages 8-11. Weekly sessions every Saturday during term time at The Grange School, Aylesbury.
Street Cricket - High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire Cricket
No reviews yet
Free Chance to Shine Street Cricket session for boys and girls ages 8-15. Weekly sessions every Tuesday during term time at St Michael's Catholic School, High Wycombe.
Street Cricket - Aylesbury Girls Only
Buckinghamshire Cricket
No reviews yet
Free Chance to Shine Street Cricket session for girls ages 8-15. Weekly sessions every Thursday during term time at The Grange School, Aylesbury.
Browse all Street Cricket sessions →
Lord's Taverners — Wicketz & Super 1s
The Lord's Taverners charity runs two major cricket programmes for young people facing barriers to participation. Wicketz provides free weekly cricket sessions in disadvantaged communities, targeting young people who might not otherwise have access to sport. Super 1s is an accessible cricket programme offering year-round weekly sessions for young people with disabilities at hubs across the country. Both programmes are completely free and run in partnership with county cricket foundations.
Yorkshire Wicketz - Bradford & Leeds
Lord's Taverners
No reviews yet
Weekly Wicketz activity providing free cricket sessions for young people in disadvantaged communities. No experience needed — just turn up and play in a safe, supportive environment.
Lancashire Wicketz - Manchester & Liverpool
Lord's Taverners
No reviews yet
Weekly Wicketz activity providing free cricket sessions for young people in disadvantaged communities. Open to all abilities with dedicated girls-only sessions available.
Buckinghamshire Super 1s (Accessible Cricket)
Lord's Taverners
No reviews yet
Weekly Super 1s accessible cricket sessions providing young people with disabilities the chance to play regular, competitive cricket in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Hampshire Super 1s (Accessible Cricket)
Lord's Taverners
No reviews yet
Weekly Super 1s accessible cricket sessions providing young people with disabilities the chance to play regular, competitive cricket in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Browse all Lord's Taverners programmes →
Why Cricket? The Benefits for Young People
Physical Benefits
- Develops hand-eye coordination
- Builds cardiovascular fitness through running
- Improves throwing and catching skills
- Encourages outdoor activity in summer months
- Suitable for all fitness levels and abilities
Social & Life Skills
- Teamwork and communication
- Resilience and patience
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Respect for rules and fair play
- Building friendships across backgrounds
- Positive alternative to screen time
Courses by Age Group
| Age | Programme | Provider | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-8 | All Stars Cricket | ECB / Local cricket clubs | £50 (inc. kit) |
| 8-11 | Dynamos Cricket | ECB / Local cricket clubs | £50 (inc. kit) |
| 8-15 | Street Cricket | Chance to Shine / County boards | Free |
| 8-19 | Wicketz | Lord's Taverners | Free |
| All ages | Super 1s (accessible) | Lord's Taverners | Free |
| 5+ | Junior coaching | Local cricket clubs | Varies |
| 8-25 | Street Cricket (community) | StreetGames / ACANE | Free |
A Sport for Everyone
What these programmes share is a commitment to making cricket accessible regardless of background, ability, or experience. As Oxford East MP Dame Anneliese Dodds put it during the Chance to Shine celebration: cricket is a sport where everyone can have a go, and the joy of the game is something everyone can understand.
Whether your child is 5 years old and picking up a bat for the first time through All Stars, a teenager looking for a positive weekly activity through Street Cricket, or a young person with a disability finding community through Super 1s — there is a programme out there for them. And with the summer season now underway, many courses are starting in the coming weeks.
Find Cricket Near You
Search our database of cricket courses to find sessions near you. Filter by age, location, and price — many programmes are completely free. The summer season is starting now, so book early to secure a place.
Sources: BBC News — Chance to Shine reaches 8 million, BBC News — Cricket club aims to keep kids off the streets, BBC News — Cricket scheme helps police connect with youngsters. Content was rephrased for compliance with licensing restrictions.
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign in