Wicketz Bristol held its Summer Showcase event on Wednesday 31st July, as it took 18 participants down to Exmouth Beach for the day alongside the Wicketz Cardiff and Plymouth programmes.
Ahead of the day
A couple of months ago the inaugural Youth Voice committee was set up. 3 members from each of Wicketz Bristol, Cardiff and Plymouth met online to share their ideas and design our Summer Showcase event. The committee would feedback ideas that they had gathered from their hub sessions and build on ideas discussed. The result – a day out on the Jurassic Coast.
One of our Bristol Youth Voice Ambassadors said:
The trip to Exmouth was all planned in meetings with the other ambassadors who came together and thought it would be a nice day out and something different to what we usually do in our summer holidays. Our ideas made this possible. We thought about the different sports, food and transport that would help to make the day.
Dan Wilson, Wicketz National Programme Manager, added:
It’s incredible to see us providing opportunities for the young people that have been led by them. The way that Wicketz is continuing to bring young people together and create new experiences for young people that wouldn’t otherwise get, is exactly what the Wicketz programme looks to achieve.
On the day
18 members, with representation from each of our 5 Bristol hubs, caught the coach down to Exmouth Beach. The day began with a tour of the RNLI Lifeboat station, where we learnt about the important work that the volunteers there do. We were able to have a look at the state-of-the-art lifeboats they use, and even try and some of their equipment.
This was followed by a traditional trip to the chippy. After lunch, we got stuck in to some beach sports, with a couple of games of cricket and football all taking place on the sand.
It’s been great to get everyone down to Exmouth today. It is the first time we have held an event like this – and it certainly won’t be the last. The Youth Voice Committee were a brilliant aid in coming up with the idea initially, and refining the details of the day. We have been blessed with the weather, and the kids have all had a great day.
Following their sports, everyone was able to cool off with a paddle in the sea and an ice cream before began our return to Bristol.
What is Wicketz?
Wicketz is a national programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners. It supports young people aged 8-16 from non-traditional cricketing backgrounds. In Bristol, we operate across four different locations (Southmead, Hartcliffe, Knowle and Patchway), providing free cricket sessions in areas where there is limited cricket provision.
To find out more about the Bristol programme, please get in touch with Wilf Brooke, Wicketz Development Officer, on 07958 208 640 or via email at wilf.brooke@gloucestershirecricketfoundation.org.