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
Kieran Slade / Club & Programmes Officer
Kieran was our first ever ‘Apprentice’ to come through the Coach Core programme. Kieran started his course in 2019 and achieved a Triple Distinction, a truly amazing effort.
Kieran impressed us so much throughout his apprenticeship that we took him on as a full time Community Coach. He is extremely hard working, mature beyond his years and a true team player. In this role, Kieran was responsible for delivering coaching sessions in schools across the county, where we deliver our Active Futures programme, Chance to Shine offer, and schools’ competitions.
Kieran’s continues to grow at the GCF, and has more more recently stepped up to the role of Club & Programmes Officer.
Kieran plays his club cricket at Winterbourne CC. He is also a member of the ground staff where he gives up countless hours of his free time to volunteer on the ground.
