The 2023 fixtures are here for NCCC and so we can already begin to get excited for another cricket packed summer next year. There is plenty more activity to come for the community team before then however, as they enter Christmas and New Year events.
Firstly, the community team had a major success by finishing runners up at the Chance to Shine
awards for cricket board of the year 2022. Our schools officer, Matt Long, attended the fantastic event at Lord’s Cricket Ground last week. This is a great indication of all of the hard work Steelbacks in the Community put in to increase cricket participation around Northamptonshire – let’s go one further next year!
Chance to Shine have also expanded their impact in local cricket by joining forces with the ECB and Lord’s Taverners. Through inclusive programmes being rolled out by the ECB, Chance to Shine and Lordβs Taverners, cricket will be taken directly to those children who are at the greatest risk of missing out on playing the game.
Read more on the fantastic new initiative here.
One of the key elements of Steelbacks in the Community that remains in full flow through the winter is disability cricket. Super 1’s cricket sessions are continuing around the county and allow free access to cricket training for any and all disabilities. The disability cricket officer, Pratik Rachh, hosted a session where the parents joined in which was a fantastic way to create an enjoyable session.
As well as Super 1’s, there are other disability cricket options available such as table cricket. The recent young leaders taster session saw a great turnout and they all really enjoyed getting involved and trying the sport.
A big focus for the ECB and Steelbacks in the Community is to ensure that all clubs in Northamptonshire are creating a welcome environment for players, staff and volunteers. The ECB are working hard to ensure that the cricketers of tomorrow have a voice and want to help ensure your club encourages young cricketers & makes them feel welcome. Watch the video below for more information.
As always, there are plenty of courses coming up to get involved in and increase your cricket knowledge and participation. ECB are running safe hands courses that any club safeguarding officer should’ve had email communication regarding. Please do contact your CCM if not.
Steelbacks in the Community are running both foundation 1 and core coaching courses in the New Year for anyone looking to kickstart or progress their cricket coaching career. Find out more about each course here.
A massive congratulations to the 18 foundation 1 coaches that qualified last week, it’s fantastic to see so many getting their cricket coaching journey started.
The Community Round-up is proudly supported by the Steelbacks in the Community Principal Partner – Cummins.