On Friday 21st February, Bristol Wicketz hosted their first ever Glow in the Dark cricket event.
The Wicketz Bristol programme recently hosted a thrilling Glow in the Dark Cricket event at the Park Centre in Knowle, bringing an exciting twist to the game. Across both boys and girls sessions, 32 regular Wicketz players were able to get stuck in to the action and enjoy the spectacle. In addition to the cricket, players were able to get involved with Glow in the Dark football and dodgeball as well. To add to the display, players sported UV bibs, headbands, wristbands, face paint and glow sticks.
Wilf Brooke, Wicketz Development Officer, said:
It has been an incredible day at The Park Centre hosting our first ever Glow in the Dark event. It has been great to be able to provide this event within a community space, with representation from across our four hubs in Bristol coming together. We must pay a massive thank you to the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation for supporting us with the equipment on the day.
University of Bristol Students Get Involved
Adding to the excitement, students from the University of Bristol Men’s and Women’s Cricket Clubs joined in with the sessions, not only getting involved in the action but also sharing their university experiences with the young players. Their participation helped inspire the attendees, breaking down barriers and offering valuable insight into further education and future opportunities.
Wilf Brooke, Wicketz Development Officer, added:
The involvement of the University today has really made the event. The players have benefitted from the conversations they’ve had with the students, sharing their own cricketing and educational journeys. It really brought out the competitive side of our players too, keen to test themselves against the University batters and bowlers. I think we’ll be seeing some more reverse sweeps and scoops attempted in our sessions going forward!
What is Wicketz
Wicketz, a community cricket programme aimed at young people aged 8-19, provides free cricket opportunities to non-traditional cricketing audiences in the hearts of their communities, making the sport more accessible to those who may not otherwise have the chance to play. The Park Centre, a regular host for Wicketz sessions, was the perfect venue for this innovative event, creating an electrifying atmosphere under the glow of UV lights.
The event was a great success, reinforcing Wicketz’s mission to use cricket as a tool for positive social impact. By combining sport with education and community engagement, Wicketz continues to create opportunities for young people to develop both on and off the field.
Hargreaves Foundation Support
A huge thank you to the Hargreaves Foundation who have supported the Lord’s Taverners with £50,000 funding for Bristol Wicketz for 2025. This will be an incredible boost to one of the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation’s key community programmes. Bristol Wicketz offers young people aged 8 – 19 who experience severe barriers to regular sport and physical activity the opportunity to play the game in a safe and fun environment all year round right in the heart of their communities – for free. At Bristol Wicketz, young people who attend regular sessions are away from negative influences where they can learn new skills, make friends, be themselves and voice their preferences to shape what happens at their sessions.
A big thank you to all the players, university students, and volunteers who made the event such a memorable occasion. We look forward to hosting more exciting and innovative cricketing experiences in the future!