More than 200 children from local schools in Bristol descended on the Seat Unique Stadium to celebrate 50 days until the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The event was part of a national schools day aimed at getting more young people excited about the upcoming World Cup, which is being held in the UK. Across Gloucestershire, schools were taking part in cricket throughout the day.
Our coaches were hands-on in seven schools, while a free Dynamos cricket after-school session was also taking place at Stoke Park Primary. In the north of the county, a fiercely contested under-15 girls’ indoor regional final played out. Bringing together seven schools from counties across the South West, they battled to see which team would head to the national finals.
In the end, it was Canford School from Dorset who claimed victory over Bristol Grammar School in Gloucestershire. Congratulations to all the finalists, and well done to Blundell’s (Devon), St Mary’s Calne (Wiltshire), Cape (Cornwall), Castle School (Somerset), and Cathedral School (Wales) for making it to this stage of the tournament.
Back at the home of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, students got to step onto the turf walked by the professionals. Taking part in games on the outfield, and getting a tour of the brand new state-of-the-art facilities.
Outside the cricketing action, they also had the chance to create artwork. These pieces will become part of a larger mural that will be on show at the ground during the six Women’s World Cup matches held in Bristol. After the event, they will become featured at the Seat Unique Stadium.
A main attraction on the day was the opportunity to speak to members of the Gloucestershire Women’s team. Captain Liv Daniels and all-rounder Melissa Story were on hand to answer questions. A few of the children even got to face an over of bowling from Daniels.
Two SEND schools also attended on the day. Blaise High School and Culverhill School, made the trip to the County Ground. Alongside adapted versions of cricket on the outfield, students from the two schools also took part in table cricket. This is a more inclusive form of the game, played on a table tennis table, and opens up the sport to players in wheelchairs.
It was a sensational day, the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine, and laughter and joy rang out throughout the stadium. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is an opportunity to inspire a new generation of players to ‘Catch the Spirit’. We want this to provide a lasting legacy across Gloucestershire and get bats and balls into more people’s hands.
Tickets are still available for the six Women’s World Cup matches held in Bristol. If you are part of a club, then there is a special booking offering that provides two free tickets with every purchase of 10 tickets. To find out more information or to buy tickets, visit the link below.
We are also providing FREE kids’ tickets to 10 selected Gloucestershire County Cricket Club matches this summer, in partnership with the Medlock Charitable Trust. Click here to find out more.
