Gloucestershire vs Surrey T20 to celebrate the success of the ACE Programme
30 May 2023
Gloucestershire home T20 Vitality Blast match vs Surrey on Friday 2 June will be dedicated to celebrating the continued success of the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) Programme.
The ACE takeover will see members of the hugely successful programme be at the forefront of matchday activation during the televised Sky Sports fixture, including full representation in the guard of honour.
A fundraising raffle will also take place on the night with all proceeds going towards the ACE Programme and its initiatives. Raffle tickets can be purchased from 4:30pm on matchday.
ACE, First launched by Surrey in January 2020 in response to a decline of black British professional players by 75% in recent years, partnered with Gloucestershire Cricket and the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation (GCF) in September 2021 in a bid to provide talent pathways for young black players in the Bristol area.
Since launching in Bristol and led by ACE Bristol Development Officer, Theo Gordon, the programme has delivered regular coaching sessions in urban areas of the city in the hope of unearthing talented youngsters from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
In just over a year’s time, Bristol’s ACE Academy produced its first County Age Group players. In January 2023, Nine young players who were identified and developed by Bristol’s ACE Academy were selected for County Age Group Programmes in the South West of England.
Theo Gordon, ACE Bristol Development Officer, said: ACE Bristol has continued to grow since being set up in Bristol back in September 2021. What we have been able to achieve in such a short space of time is unbelievable. We have managed to work in partnership with some amazing community partners in the city such as Bristol University, Bristol City Council, Back to Action, Bristol Core and Black Southwest Network. All our community partners have played a huge role in our success and impact in the city.
"We have delivered the first year of a very successful academy programme, launched three community hubs, delivered free cricket in over 30+ local schools and have also delivered free holiday clubs during the school holidays.
"Gloucestershire Cricket has stepped up and has shown exactly why they backed the programme from the start, the Club has supported the programme throughout and the takeover day is a great example of the great relationship we have together."
Tickets are selling fast for Gloucestershire’s match vs Surrey with a limited number still available for purchase. To secure your seats, click here
