MCC Foundation
Our free cricket programme for 12-16 year old boys and girls in state-education
What is the MCC Programme?
The MCC Foundation is a free programme for boys and girls aged 12-16. The programme includes 10 weeks of winter training, and the opportunity to compete in the national hub competition in the summer. It is for state-educated cricketers not currently involved in a county setup.
About the hubs
Within Gloucestershire, we host three hubs: Bristol, Cheltenham and Cirencester.
The hubs offer free-to-access training and matchplay for promising cricketers from state-education. At each hub, players will receive a 10-week structured training programme from ECB qualified coaches. They will benefit from training in a competitive environment with peers of similar abilities.
Boys U14s, Boys U16s and Girls U16s hubs will also be invited to compete in the National Hub Competition. The Finals take place at Lords Cricket Ground. In the previous two years, the Bristol Boys Hub have reached the Quarter-Final Stage.
Throughout the summer, the MCCF also hold festivals for regional hubs to compete against each other. In previous years this has included eyecatching venues such as Millfield School.
Through participation in your local hub, you also have an opportunity to qualify for the MCCF Springboard Programme. This offers further opportunities for coaching and matchplay opportunities representing your region (i.e South West).
Squads
Bristol: Boys U14s, Boys U16s, Girls U14s, Girls U16s
Cheltenham: Girls U14s, Girls U16s
Cirencester: Boys U14s, Boys U16s, Girls U14s, Girls U16s
How does it help young people?
The MCC Foundation is striving to break down barriers for young people reaching their full cricketing potential.
‘The Hubs focus on talent: helping promising youngsters who have been engaged through mass participation activities or non-traditional formats to join cricket clubs, develop their hard-ball skills, and access the formal talent pathways.
The Hubs also have a transformational impact off the cricket pitch, helping participants to feel happier and more confident, and improving their focus and performance at school.’
How to Get Involved
Trial information will be published to current squads, schools, clubs, community programmes and GCF social media channels once county squads have been decided in early October. All players will need to trial to gain a place on the programme. You will only need to attend one trial.
Trials will take place in October-November. Squads will be announced within a week of the final trial taking place. The 10-week winter training programme will take place between January-March 2025. Players that accept a place on the programme will be expected to attend the winter-training programme.
We do not want trials to deter anyone from getting involved in the programme, please reach out to Wilf Brooke, Hub Manager, if you have any queries.
Wilf Brooke / Wicketz Development Officer
Wilf became a full-time member of the team in November 2023, joining as our Wicketz Development Officer. Wilf has been involved in the programme since February 2022, having started out as a volunteer whilst at university. He has also coached on other GCF initiatives, including the Zonal and MCC Foundation hubs.
The Wicketz programme offers free weekly cricket sessions throughout the year, and run festivals and residentials during the holidays. In his role, Wilf will be continuing to grow and deliver hubs across Bristol, which currently operate in Southmead, Knowle and Hartcliffe.
Wilf is originally from Lewisham, South East London, and first moved to Bristol to study pharmacology. After finishing his studies he quickly ditched the lab coat and spent a year teaching PE in primary schools across Bristol before joining the team. Wilf plays his cricket at Bedminster CC.