Around 23,000 children from 125 schools across Yorkshire recently took part in the biggest ever Schools Cricket Day. From first-time batters and bowlers in playgrounds to competitive matches on sports fields, pupils came together, inspired by this summer's must-see tournament.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Coming to Yorkshire
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup gets underway on June 12 at Edgbaston, before Headingley Cricket Ground hosts five fixtures kicking off with Australia vs Bangladesh followed by India vs Netherlands. Ahead of the tournament, five schools and more than 50 children joined a dedicated session hosted by Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) at Morley Cricket Club. Alongside lessons and activities, schoolteachers received training to help them become cricket 'activators', empowering them to bring cricket to their local communities in the long term. Across the country, big names from the world of cricket also joined school events in ICC Women's T20 World Cup host cities.
Activities Across the Country
- England legend Heather Knight OBE took part alongside over 200 children at a mass participation Schools Cricket Day event at Raynes Park, London.
- Former England star and 2009 World Cup winner Lydia Greenway OBE joined over 400 children at host venue, Edgbaston.
- England player and current Hampshire Women captain Georgia Adams helped with a cricket session at a local Hampshire primary school.
- 2017 World Cup winner and Lancashire Women's star Alex Hartley joined a cricket session with local schoolchildren at Old Trafford.
Building a Legacy
Schools Cricket Day is part of the ECB's ambitions to harness the power of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales to build a legacy that inspires the next generation of girls to say cricket is a game for them. This year, the ECB wants to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game's administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective. Schools Cricket Day also featured resources and games created by the ICC's global charity partner, UNICEF, through its Rights in Play programme. The games, which were integrated into the day's activities, focus on increasing understanding of child rights through play and participation in cricket.
Quotes from Cricket Stars
Australia and Yorkshire CCC star Jess Jonassen said: "I can't wait for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup coming to England, and Headingley, in just 50 days' time. Playing in international tournaments like ICC World Cups was always my goal as I was moving through the ranks back home, and initiatives like today are so important to inspire the next generation of cricketers. Major tournaments can have such a powerful legacy and today's School Cricket Day is a pivotal step towards encouraging more girls and boys, across Yorkshire and the entire country, to pick up a bat and ball and fall in love with the sport."
Gemma Barton from ECB added: "Moments like this show how the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. It's not just about the summer ahead, it's about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game."
