Wicketz

Our free, Bristol based cricket programme for 8–16-year-olds from inner-city communities
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What is Bristol Wicketz?

Wicketz is a free cricket programme for young people aged 8-16, living in inner city communities.

By establishing sustainable community cricket hubs, we provide year-round weekly cricket sessions in Bristol with a focus on breaking down barriers, developing crucial life skills, creating stronger communities and enabling brighter futures for those taking part.

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Sam Emmott gives participants thumbs up

How does it work?

Sam Emmott & Wilf Brooke are the dedicated development officers responsible for the running of multiple local hubs across Bristol.

Sam & Wilf work closely with the young people that come along to the sessions, many of whom are from non-traditional cricketing backgrounds, including young offenders, refugees and excluded pupils.  Sessions – which use a soft ball – currently take place at venues in Southmead, Knowle and Hartcliffe and are open to players of all levels of ability. Every Wicketz session is run by qualified coaches and all equipment is provided.

How does it help young people?

Through cricket, Bristol Wicketz aims to tackle local issues affecting young people and their communities.

Alongside cricket coaching and games, the young people taking part have the chance to learn from role models, community leaders, local authorities and others. Specially designed workshops also boost well being, social education, community awareness, promote positive life choices and develop new life skills.

Participants seated during morning briefing at residential

Weekly Sessions

All of our hubs are free for girls and boys aged 8–16. No equipment needed, just turn up and play!

Southmead

Bristol Free School, BS10 6NJ

Monday

4:30pm – 5:30pm – ages 8-10

5:30pm – 6:30pm – ages 11-16

Boys & Girls

Free

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Knowle

The Park Centre, BS4 1DQ

Tuesday

4:00pm – 5:00pm – ages 8-11

5:00pm – 6:00pm – ages 12-16

Boys & Girls

Free

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Patchway

Patchway Community School, BS32 4AJ

Wednesday

5:00pm – 6:00pm – ages 8-12

Boys & Girls

Free

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Hartcliffe

Merchants’ Academy, BS13 9BJ

Wednesday

4:30pm – 5.30pm

Boys & Girls

Ages 8-12

Free

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Knowle Girls

The Park Centre, BS4 1DQ

Thursday

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Girls only

Ages 8-16

Free

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Coney Hill

Barnwood Park School, GL4 3QU

Thursday (Launching 14th March)

5:00pm – 6:00pm – ages 8-12

Boys & Girls

Free

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Wicketz award winners with their awards

Volunteer Opportunities

Wicketz offers a range of opportunities for volunteers from coaching to administration.

If people are able to help on a long term basis, the Lord’s Taverners will help fund relevant training and qualifications such as, coaching badges and IT courses. This will not only help to sustain the Wicketz hub, but also offer future employment opportunities for the volunteer.

In addition to providing formal qualifications, Wicketz also provides informal support, mentoring and development opportunities for individuals who are able to commit time to the programme. One person to benefit by volunteering with Wicketz is Cian Davies, who regularly supports our hubs by leading coaching sessions.

Sam Emmott / Wicketz Development Manager

Sam joined the GCF as the Wicketz Development Officer in August 2019. Funded by the Lord’s Taverners, Wicketz aims to tackle local issues affecting young people and their communities. Sam has developed the Wicketz programme so much that in 2024 he took on additional full time staff, specifically for the programme, and was promoted to Wicketz Development Manager.

Sam has been responsible for the running of multiple local hubs across Bristol and has worked closely with the young people that come along to the sessions, many of whom are from hard-to-reach groups, including young offenders, refugees and excluded pupils. Sessions, which use a soft ball, currently take place at venues in Southmead, Knowle, Fishponds, Patchway, Hartcliffe, and have most recently opened in Gloucester thanks to Sam’s expansion of the programme. The sessions are open to players of all levels of ability. Alongside cricket coaching and games, the young people taking part have the chance to learn from role models, community leaders, local authorities and others. Specially designed workshops also boost wellbeing, social education, community awareness, promote positive life choices and develop new life skills.

Sam brings a wealth of experience from a diverse background that includes leisure management, personal training and fitness instructing, as well as cricket coaching.

Sam Emmott / Wicketz Development Officer
Wilf Brooke Profile Picture

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 Bishopston CC.