On Tuesday 29th October we held the GCF Community Cricket Festival at City Academy Bristol.
On top of the fiercely-contested competition between GCF community programmes: ACE, Chance to Shine Street, Super 1s and Wicketz; we held an awards ceremony to recognise the efforts of our players and volunteers throughout the past 12 months.
The Wicketz programme is a Lord’s Taverners initiative aimed at getting more young people (aged 8-19) from non-traditional cricketing backgrounds involved in the sport. Across Gloucestershire, it runs year-round free-to-access hubs in communities with limited cricket provision. Over the past few years, the programme has grown considerably, with an increase in participation at existing venues and new hubs launching in Patchway and Coney Hill. This growth would not have been possible without a great team of volunteers working across the programme.
Growing the Game
On Tuesday, Grace Derrick was presented with the ‘Growing the Game’ award. The award recognises Grace’s efforts over the past year as a volunteer at both the Hartcliffe and Knowle Girls hubs.
Wilf Brooke, Wicketz Development Officer, said:
It has been brilliant to have Grace involved with our sessions over the past year. Grace first got involved as she wanted to gain experience working with young people to aid her career development. Each week, her confidence within the sessions has grown and it’s great to see her develop as a coach. She is a credit to her sport and community, and is a great role model for our young people to look up to. We look forward to supporting Grace as she progresses through her coaching qualifications.
Grace Derrick, Growing the Game 2024 Winner, added:
Getting involved with Wicketz has helped to boost my confidence with coaching. It is a really good environment to learn in as there are children from all sorts of backgrounds, and a real mix of abilities. I feel like part of a community with Wicketz.
Get Into Cricket 2.0
The Get Into Cricket 2.0 programme is a GCF initiative that supports young cricketers aged 14-16. The programme offers courses on all aspects of cricket, from umpiring and scoring, to nutrition and digital marketing. This leads to participants being well equipped in helping out around their hubs and clubs.
Alex and Ethan have been stalwarts of the Wicketz programme, having regularly attended since its inception in 2017. More recently, they have been part of the 2nd cohort of Get Into Cricket participants and were recently presented with their Get Into Cricket T-Shirts for completing 20 hours of volunteering each. This has primarily been at our holiday events, supporting with the umpiring and scoring of games across Community Competition days and CricFest 2024.
Sam Emmott, Wicketz Development Manager, said:
Alex and Ethan are brilliant examples of what Wicketz is all about. Within their sessions they are good role models to their peers, demonstrating the perfect blend of competitiveness and sportspersonship. Alongside the Get Into Cricket programme, they were also able to complete work experience with the GCF earlier this year. We believe these experiences will leave them well equipped as they start to consider their options for the future.
Alex and Ethan receiving bags from two local Police Community Support Officers having supported with a South West Holiday Festival
Want to Get Involved?
If you want to get involved with volunteering at Wicketz sessions, please get in touch with Sam Emmott (sam.emmott@gloucestershirecricketfoundation.org).