From January, Bishop’s Stortford College will be an MCC Foundation Cricket Hub, giving greater access to superb cricket facilities to a wider group of young people.
The MCC Foundation, the charitable arm of the MCC, runs a network of Hubs across the UK, providing free coaching and match-play to state-educated 11-15 year old boys and girls with the aim of improving their cricket ability and boosting their confidence on and off the pitch.
Abi Carter, Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “There is a real dearth of cricket in the state secondary sector; often due to lack of playing facilities and teachers confident in their ability to coach. Our Hubs are filling a major gap in provision, by providing excellent coaching facilities to young people who may otherwise not have the opportunity to play regularly and fulfil their potential.
Cricket should be a game for the many, not the few, and we are committed to targeting areas where we can make the greatest impact by catering for the greatest need. Our Hubs don’t just create better cricketers, they also have broader benefits around boosting young people’s confidence and resilience.”
Bishop’s Stortford College, which, according to The Cricketer magazine, is already one of the Top 100 Schools for Cricket, hopes the scheme will enthuse more and more youngsters, especially girls, with a love for the sport. Dave Hughes, Head of Cricket at the College commented: “We’re extremely proud of the excellent facilities we have here at the College; we know how lucky we are. But as a school with a passion for cricket, it’s really wonderful to be able share our resources with the wider community and hopefully inspire a new generation of cricketers.”