Peterborough ECB Diverse Communities Project: ‘Raising The Game’-Joint Cricket East/Wicketz Dynamos ‘Intros’ Community Case Study
Earlier this year Cricket East gained the approval of the English Cricket Board and the Lords Taverners to offer the Peterborough Wicketz programme 8 hours of Summer holiday Dynamos ‘Intros’, this showed positive action to work together to develop delivery which also has a real focus on supporting areas of deprivation. It was an opportunity to give existing Wicketz members in the inner city multi-cultural area of Gladstone an experience of another programme, raising opportunities in a way that would further support the youngster’s development of both cricket and life skills including: teamwork, communication and decision making. This also showed the power of the game to connect communities as youngsters from other Wicketz Hubs were also invited to attend as part of the planning phase.
The programme delivered all the Fielding Energiser, Skill Builder and game activities which all form part of the Dynamos product.
This project was seen also as a widening of the programme offer to support the cities Diverse Communities Project. In terms of delivery, Diverse Communities Officer Dave Summers led with great support from L2 Coach Tom Banks who has supported delivery of Wicketz projects in both Peterborough and Southampton. Given the recent very dry weather, the 3 days of activity actually surprisingly encountered issues with wet weather and they were grateful for partner support of the nearby Community Centre to take activities indoors.
The project was deemed a great success as also evidenced by the following feedback from parents:
Mrs Nazia Dar (her son Huzaifah has a bowing of the legs and cricket is a great source of pleasure to him and a love for the game helps manage the impairment):
‘My both boys Zaidaan and Huzaifah (10 and 9 years) were absolutely delighted that they had the opportunity to attend the three days of cricket. The boys had a wonderful time playing cricket and always came home with a smile. They expressed how they enjoyed playing triangle cricket. Both boys are very competitive and understand how important teamwork is. Also, how with good communication will help win matches, an example of this was when Huzaifah was explaining to me how he kept calling out when to make runs whilst batting. Zaidaan and Huzaifah had the benefits of learning new techniques in batting, bowling and fielding and mentioned that how this will help them up their skills in their game.
They have been practicing their cut shot, mid-on and mid-off shots. Also, the long barrier technique in fielding. The boys were told about their arm positioning in bowling, this helped Zaidaans straight bowling and he has improved his bowling very much. Huzaifah continues to enjoy his spin bowling, both have had success in some excellent deliveries when practicing.
These 3 days of cricket for the children I believe has been a great success. The kids have benefitted from learning new techniques and showing their abilities. They enjoyed playing different games and activities.
The collaboration of Cricket East, Dynamos cricket and Wicketz is a great initiative to encourage children to get into this sport, to stay active, socialise, develop their skills and then apply and enjoy the game.
Many thanks to Dave Summers, Wicketz Development Officer Jonathan Bingham and team for teaching the children and organising everything for the cricket sessions.
Lastly, not only my boys but I am sure all the children were very great full on receiving their lovely gift of the cricket bat and ball. So it's non-stop cricket now for the kids.
I hope to see sessions like this continue and my boys would love to attend sessions like these in the future.’
Mrs Nafeesa Faraz (Ans 12 and Mawahad 11 years):
Thank you for putting so much effort into the extra cricket sessions for children. They enjoyed all the outdoor and indoor activities. My children enjoyed bowling and targeting the stumps activity and practicing their catching.
In person I liked the pink gel ball gifted with the bat at the end of session and we play with that almost every day. Overall, they were all good practice sessions.
I would appreciate if you would remember us next time as well. Thank you for referring my children and giving them the opportunity to learn more. Thank you very much.’
Dave Summers
24th August 2022