The Park Centre in Knowle was transformed into a vibrant hub of colour, music and sporting energy this February half term as Wicketz Bristol hosted its Girls Glow in the Dark Cricket Festival for young people aged 8–16.
The Wicketz Bristol programme is renowned for kicking off the year in style with memorable holiday festivals, and 2026 was no exception. Designed as a celebration and an opportunity, the event provided a valuable holiday for existing Wicketz participants and introduced cricket to a new audience. With neon face paint and glowing stumps, the day offered a fresh and exciting twist on indoor cricket, allowing girls to develop their skills in a fun and relaxed environment. For many first-time participants, the glow-in-the-dark format helped ease nerves and remove the pressure of trying a new sport. The focus was firmly on enjoyment, teamwork and building confidence.
A special highlight was the involvement of players from the University of Bristol women’s cricket team, who were invited to take part in a friendly match. The university players mixed with Wicketz participants, creating an inspiring and aspirational atmosphere on and off the pitch.
Grace Latimer, 1st XI team captain, said:
“It’s been amazing to be here and have those one-to-one conversations about how students balance lectures, training, and social life, and why resilience and stepping outside your comfort zone really matter. We’ve had so many engaging discussions, and the way the day has been designed has given us a brilliant opportunity to learn just as much from the girls as they do from us. For me, university is not just about studying, it’s about building lifelong friendships and growing in confidence.”
Looking ahead, the students also spoke about their future ambitions. From pursuing careers in fields such as sports science, teaching and business, to continuing their involvement in cricket through coaching or playing after graduating. Their honest and relatable stories resonated strongly with the younger participants, many of whom had not previously considered the pathway of combining higher education with sport.
The impact of the festival extended beyond the day itself. Several girls who attended for the first time have since signed up to join their local Wicketz girls’ hub, continuing their cricket journey within a supportive community environment.
Wicketz Participant Elsie said:
“The enviroment in Wicketz is really fun, if you mess-up it’s not a big deal, if you make a mistake they want to help you and support you. It’s really letting girls know they can play the sport they want to play. Wicketz is quite an important role in some of these girls lives, and for those who want to take the game further it’s a safe place in the community to help them out. It’s proving that you can do it too, it’s not about how you play, it’s about taking part and improving yourself. At a young age it’s important to know that there are other girls playing sport and it’s not just a boys sport, girls also like playing cricket.”
Wicketz Participant Sophia said:
“We did a glow in the dark session where we had face-paints, cricket with glow in the dark cricket bats and stumps, it was really cool.
The older girls there are role-models for girls like me because seeing them makes me want to be doing what they’re doing. Sometimes it’s nice to have just-girls sessions, It makes me feel happy.
On Thursday I do Wicketz after school and I think ‘Oh yes! It’s cricket day’, It’s a place where girls can just have a go at cricket or show off their skills. Since then, me and my other friend from Wicketz got picked for the mixed-school team, so now I’m playing cricket for my school as well.”
Blending creativity, sport and positive role models, the Glow in the Dark Festival delivered more than a holiday activity, it built connections. It reinforced Wicketz’s commitment to inclusive opportunities where girls can grow in confidence.
The Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation works in partnership with the Lord’s Taverners to provide young people in Bristol with year-round access to cricket and life skills workshops. Together, they aim to break down barriers that can prevent young people from taking part in sport, such as cost, confidence, and access. While helping them build resilience, improve their physical and mental wellbeing, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and create positive pathways for their future.
With the Lord’s Taverners in attendance, some of the girls got to make a video of their experience. You can view that below.
What is 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 across Bristol and Gloucester with a focus on breaking down barriers, developing crucial life skills, creating stronger communities, and enabling brighter futures for those taking part.
To find your local hub, or to signup:
https://gloucestershirecricketfoundation.org/community/wicketz/
For more information, please contact
Sam Emmott
07398 211596
