Over the February half-term, the Bristol Wicketz programme held trips to the Aerospace Bristol Museum and BOLA Batting Centre in Patchway, a Community Sports Day in Hartcliffe and a Glow in the Dark Cricket event in Knowle.
Across the February half-term, Wicketz Bristol players were able to get involved with three holiday events on top of their regular weekly hub sessions. The events allowed children from across our hubs to meet, and play with and against each other in a variety of games and activities.
First Southwest Wicketz Festival of 2025
The week started off with Bristol hosting the inaugural Southwest Wicketz Festival of 2025. The festival brought together young cricketers from Bristol, Barnstaple, and Plymouth for a day of friendly competition and learning. Held at the BOLA Batting Centre, participants engaged in a series of short matches, showcasing their skills and fostering camaraderie among the different hubs.
A highlight of the festival was a visit to the nearby Bristol Aerospace Museum. Players were able to explore the iconic Concorde and participated in hands-on workshop exploring the past, present and future of aerospace.
Wicketz Development Officer, Wilf Brooke, reflected on the festival’s success, noting the emphasis on teamwork and the value of providing youth with platforms to share their ideas and experiences.
Community Sports Day in Hartcliffe
On Thursday 20th, Wicketz teamed up with our longstanding partners at the Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership to deliver a community sports day for existing Wicketz players, and new players from the local community. Children got stuck in to classic sports day events such as egg & spoon races, as well as trying out a bit of dodgeball and cricket. The HWCP were able to provide all children on the day with a nourishing lunch. 
Glow in the Dark Cricket Lights Up Bristol Wicketz
The week culminated with an innovative Glow in the Dark cricket event at the Park Centre in Knowle, a regular hub for the Wicketz programme. This unique experience saw 32 young people attend across the boys and girls sessions. The event was further enriched by the involvement of University of Bristol students, who got stuck in with the games and also shared insights into university life, inspiring the young players to consider future educational opportunities.
How to get involved
Wicketz is a community cricket programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners. It works with young people aged 8-19 in urban areas with limited access to cricket. In Bristol, we run free weekly sessions all year round across four locations: Southmead, Knowle, Hartcliffe and Patchway. If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, please get in touch with Sam Emmott, Wicketz Development Manager, on 07398 211 596 or via email at sam.emmott@gloucestershirecricketfoundation.org.
These February half-term events exemplify the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation’s dedication to creating inclusive, educational, and enjoyable experiences for young people through cricket, fostering both sporting and personal growth.