ECB double investment in Chance to Shine
8 November 2016
Millions of primary school children in England and Wales will have the opportunity to play and learn through cricket, thanks to a major increase in ECB’s funding to Chance to Shine.
From October 2017, the national governing body for cricket will double its annual donation to the children’s cricket charity from £1.25 million to at least £2.5 million.
This new investment – combined with continued support from commercial sponsors, private individuals, charitable trusts and foundations – means Chance to Shine is aiming to expand its annual reach from approximately 300,000 primary school children to more than 500,000 from the school year 2017/18.
The ECB’s new partnership with Chance to Shine links in with Cricket Unleashed, the new framework for cricket in England and Wales. Cricket Unleashed commits the sport to inspire more people and families to play and follow cricket, and to take the game into new places and communities.
Matt Dwyer ECB Director of Participation and Growth said, “This announcement means that we will develop an even stronger partnership with Chance to Shine – working together to introduce more children to cricket and encouraging closer links with local clubs. Cricket has the ability to inspire kids in our communities in a way like no other and we will do that together with Chance to Shine."
Luke Swanson, Chance to Shine Chief Executive added, “Our vision is that all young people have the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. That’s easy to say but very hard to achieve; this new long-term commitment from ECB provides the most tremendous boost to getting us there.
“It will dramatically expand cricket’s presence in primary schools at a time of great excitement and potential for the game. It will enhance the support that we give teachers to enrich playing and learning. And above all it will give millions of young people their first experience of a fun, inclusive, active team sport that we hope will become a lifelong habit and passion.”
ECB and Chance to Shine have agreed three core objectives for the new primary schools programme: to give young people (aged 5 - 11) a great first experience of cricket; to support teachers to build a sustainable culture of cricket in state schools; and to help young people to play regularly and learn key life skills.
Over the next 12 months ECB and Chance to Shine will co-develop the new primary schools programme. It will be delivered in partnership with the 39 County Cricket Boards in England & Wales and will include an introductory skills course for primary school children, delivered by professional cricket coaches; training and support materials for teachers; resources for cricket-themed classroom learning; schools competitions; and practical support for young people to continue playing the game in school, club, community and casual settings.
Since 2005, Chance to Shine has brought cricket and its educational benefits to nearly 12,000 state schools and to more than three million young people, including approximately 1.5m girls. Find out more at chancetoshine.org
For further information contact:
Ben Walker. ECB Communications Manager
Mobile 07920 288720; email ben.walker@ecb.co.uk
