YOUTH SPORT TRUST AND SPORTING EQUALS AWARDED NATIONAL LEAD PARTNER STATUS FOR SPIRIT OF 2012 CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CRICKET PROJECT
Spirit of 2012, with partners the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have awarded National Lead Partner Status to the Youth Sport Trust and Sporting Equals to develop a project called Connecting Communities through Cricket. The project will use cricket to bring people from different communities together inspired by the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019.
Connecting Communities through Cricket is designed to measurably improve social cohesion and increase wellbeing, by providing opportunities for young people and their families to engage together in community-led activities, events and festivals focused on and inspired by cricket. The project will run across a number of locations throughout the UK and will involve local community partners.
“I am delighted Spirit is working with the Youth Sport Trust and Sporting Equals and investing in the potential of cricket to bring people together. This project builds on the power of cricket to bring communities and generations together, and will leave a community legacy.”
– Debbie Lye, Spirit of 2012 Chief Executive
An initial Development Grant of £18,500 will support the further planning of the project, including a series of regional workshops to engage potential local partners. Once fully developed, the project will run for three years in six local communities across England and Wales.
Spirit of 2012 Chief Executive, Debbie Lye, said: “Hot on the heels of the England team winning the Women’s World Cup, I am delighted Spirit is working with the Youth Sport Trust and Sporting Equals and investing in the potential of cricket to bring people together. This project builds on the power of cricket to bring communities and generations together, and will leave a community legacy from these ICC World Cup events.”
Arun Kang, Chief Executive of Sporting Equals, explained: “Sporting Equals are absolutely delighted and excited to be awarded Joint National Lead Partner Status. Our charity’s vision includes building stronger communities locally and this is a fantastic opportunity to support that vision. With England winning the Women’s World Cup and with the Men’s World Cup in two years’ time, cricket will be at its most popular with many communities and families. This will offer us the chance to use cricket as the tool to bring local diverse communities together for better community spirit and wellbeing”.
Will Roberts, Director of Operations, Youth Sport Trust, added: “The Youth Sport Trust’s mission since our inception over 22 years ago has been to build a brighter future for young people through sport, and this opportunity to develop Community Cohesion through Cricket will allow us to continue this exciting sport for development agenda. We are delighted with the prospect of working in close collaboration with our joint National Leader Partners Sporting Equals to ensure that the sport can provide the vehicle for positive change in a number of diverse communities across the country and are grateful to Spirit of 2012 for their support of this work.”
Further information:
Sporting Equals website
Youth Sport Trust website