With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup coming to Bristol in 2026, the excitement is starting to build.
Bringing the best female cricketers on the planet to Gloucestershire, the tournament will have six matches played at the Seat Unique Stadium. As part of the build-up, the trophy visited local schools and community hubs this month.
Students at May Park Primary and Evergreen Primary learned about cricket and the trophy during their assembly. Afterwards, they got up close to the trophy for photos. Being close to the prize sparked joy as the children wondered how you win the silverware.
Toni Dorse is Vice Principal at Evergreen Primary School, said, “Having the trophy visit our school was an incredible experience. The excitement on our students’ faces was priceless—they were inspired and motivated by the opportunity to be part of something so special. Moments like these open doors for our kids, showing them what’s possible and encouraging them to dream big.”
Bringing the trophy to young people across Gloucestershire is about more than cricket. It is about inspiring the next generation.
“Working with the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation to introduce the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup trophy to local schools has been fantastic. The passion and excitement for cricket from the pupils has been incredible, and it really shows the power of cricket to bring smiles and bring people together.” Said Nathan Stokes, Fan Engagement Manager for the World Cup.
“You can feel everyone catching the spirit, and with a huge World Cup on home soil in 2026, this is the perfect moment to get even more young people involved and inspired.”
Dreaming big at Wicketz programmes
As well as travelling to local schools, the Women’s T20 World Cup Trophy made a special visit across Gloucestershire, bringing a huge boost of excitement and inspiration to young people involved at their Wicketz hubs in Bristol and Gloucester. For many of the participants, it was their first time seeing an international trophy up close — and the impact was immediate.
At the Southmead and Coney Hill hubs, the trophy became more than just silverware, it became a symbol of possibility. Young players gathered around, asking questions about the women who had lifted it and what it takes to play at that level. Coaches said the visit sparked fresh motivation, with several participants talking about wanting to train harder and play more regularly at holiday festivals across the year. For girls in particular, seeing a woman’s global trophy helped them picture themselves in the sport in a way they hadn’t before.
The trophy also stopped at Robinswood Primary School, where an energetic, interactive assembly was delivered for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. The trophy’s presence transformed the hall into a buzz of excitement, with children learning about teamwork, resilience, and the global game through fun skill challenges and quizzes. Teachers noted how engaged the pupils were — many who had never tried cricket left the assembly eager to pick up a bat for the first time and join a local Wicketz hub in the heart of their community.
Mr Greenwood, a teacher at Hillside Primary School in Gloucester, said: “It was an amazing opportunity to have the T20 trophy in. The assembly was great, the best one we have had in years. It was very interactive, and the children were very engaged.”
Across both cities, the trophy’s visit has created a real sense of momentum for the Wicketz programme. It showed young people that cricket is a game for everyone and that their own journeys in the sport, no matter where they begin, can lead to incredible places.
Just the beginning
The Women’s T20 World Cup trophy visiting schools and hubs across Gloucestershire is just the first part in a massive year for women’s and girls’ cricket. We want to continue to put bats and balls in more people’s hands, while showing the power of cricket.
Look out for more ICC Women’s World Cup events throughout 2026 ahead of the tournament.