Photo Credit: ECB
Cricket 4 London is an ECB funded collaboration between the four London based CCBs – Essex, Kent, Surrey and Middlesex – with each county offering 25 school children from underserved communities a whole host of sporting and non-sporting activities to try.
London Spirit all-rounders Ravi Bopara and Ryan Higgins took time out from their The Hundred schedule to give 100 school children from underserved communities a taste of cricket.
The Spirit duo were part of a three-day all-sport holiday camp hosted by Cricket 4 London for 100 school children between in ages of 8-12.
Cricket 4 London is an ECB funded collaboration between the four London based CCBs – Essex, Kent, Surrey and Middlesex – with each county offering 25 school children from underserved communities a whole host of sporting and non-sporting activities to try.
This, of course, included cricket with legends Courtney Walsh and Angus Fraser joining Bopara and Higgins to deliver cricket sessions.
The children were transported to and from their county each day, over the last three days of July, and were provided with a nutritious meal and snacks to keep them fuelled.
Spoilt by some perfect weather, the children were thankful the programme included water sports as they rowed on the River Lea and swam in the London Aquatic Centre, where they also tried out water polo.
Other activities included netball, BMXing, handicrafts and drama all delivered by a stellar cast of partners including the West Ham United Foundation, London Pulse Netball, and Art4Space. The children were also given a tour of the London Stadium as it prepares for the return of Premier League action.
ECB Network Partner for the London & East region, Chris Mankelow, said: “The last three days are a great example of removing cricket’s traditional boundaries in the capital and doing something for the greater good of some deserving young Londoners.
“These children have been far more active thanks to cricket and with most of their parents having to work during the holiday period, we’ve ensured they go home happy, exercised and well fed.
“I’ve also been particularly impressed by the levels of collaboration amongst the four counties and with other sports. I hope we got a blueprint here on how to deliver positive outcomes for those at risk of missing out.”
