Chance to Shine Street
Chance to Shine Street is a free cricket initiative that brings together young people from diverse communities in Bristol and gives them the opportunity to learn and play cricket.What is Chance to Shine Street?
The national project aims to inspire young people to access cricket, whilst promoting social cohesion and creating opportunities, in diverse communities. Chance to Shine Street is purposefully placed in areas that lack green spaces across various parts of Bristol where cricket is less accessible.
We deliver free cricket sessions in different areas with the aim of using cricket as a tool to increase aspirations, mutual respect and enhance relationships with others, including schools and the wider community.
The sessions, which are inclusive to people of all backgrounds and abilities, are created so that all equipment is provided and can be played easily to include everyone. Many of our sessions take place using softballs, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all players.
It is not just a sporting project, the program includes workshops run in association with local partners targeting issues affecting specific areas. Youngsters are also provided with the opportunity to develop themselves through working towards positive outcomes: helping to improve leadership, personal skills and future employability including educational workshops, training opportunities, and chances to engage with the local police.
Playing Opportunities
Chance to Shine Street also features regular competitions both in Bristol and nationally.
A key component of our Chance to Shine Street programme is tape ball cricket. Tape ball cricket aims to give a new fast, fun feel to cricket that can be played in any contained space indoors or outdoors.
During most half terms we also attempt to hold a regional tape ball tournament where participants from various Chance to Shine Street cities will come together. In previous years teams from Bristol have played at Lord’s, Edgbaston and University of Nottingham.
Coaching Opportunities
Chance to Shine Street offers a range of opportunities for volunteers from coaching to administration.
If people are able to help on a long term basis, Chance to Shine will help fund relevant training and qualifications eg coaching badges or IT courses. This will not only help to sustain the Chance to Shine Street hub, but also offer future employment opportunities for the volunteer.
Weekly Sessions
Below are all the free Chance to Shine Street sessions that operate throughout the year – just turn up and play!
Easton Juniors
City Academy Bristol
Sunday, 1.00pm – 2.30pm (6-11 years)
2.30pm – 4.00pm (12-16 years)
Easton Girls
Easton Leisure Centre
Thursday, 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Easton Young Adults
City Academy Bristol
Sunday, 4.00pm – 6.00pm
For ages 16-24 years
Shirehampton
St Bede’s College
Monday, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
For ages 6-16 years
Hengrove
Hengrove Park Leisure Centre
Tuesday, 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Cheltenham
YMCA Sports Centre
Tuesday, 4.00pm – 5.30pm
For ages 6-11 years
Gloucester
Oxstalls Sports Arena
Every Sunday
2.15pm – 3.45pm (6-11 years)
Gloucester Girls
GL1 Leisure Centre
Thursday, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Harry Watts / Urban Development Officer
Harry joined the Foundation in August 2022 as our Urban Development Officer and is responsible for growing the game of cricket in Gloucestershire, focusing on the urban areas of Bristol and Gloucester.
One of his main areas of work is managing our Chance to Shine Street programme, which provides free cricket sessions for young people across Bristol, Gloucester and Cheltenham. The sessions are fun, engaging and support the development of all young people, from cricket newcomers right through to young adults playing a high standard of recreational cricket. Harry also manages our Walking Cricket programme, which provides inclusive indoor softball cricket for over 50’s across the county, including in Bristol and Cheltenham. Outside of community programmes, Harry supports urban clubs in Bristol and supports with the management of GYCL competitions.
In 2018, Harry graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Media & Communications and later gained a PGCE in Primary Education from UWE, having spent multiple years working in primary schools. At his local club, Thornbury CC, Harry supports in different areas, including being an emergency player when required!
As a local Bristolian, Harry is a Bristol Rovers supporter and is a big all-round sports fan.