Durham Cricket Foundation has doubled the delivery of its Street Cricket programme – expanding to three new locations and increasing to six active weekly hubs across the region.
Delivered in partnership with Chance to Shine, the programme has launched new weekly hubs in South Shields, Darlington and Middlesbrough, significantly expanding the geographical reach and access for young people.
Originally successfully delivered in Sunderland since 2018, Street has already had a positive impact on hundreds of young people, with 86% of participants coming from diverse cultural backgrounds. By doubling delivery, the Foundation looks to expand this impact further, reaching more young people in more underserved areas.
Street Cricket aims to break down conventional barriers to the sport by bringing free and regular opportunities to play and get involved in local communities, engaging young people aged 8 -15 from under-served areas.
Street Cricket is now delivered through six sessions. New locations include South Shields at Ocean Road Community Centre on Tuesdays, Darlington at the Dolphin Centre on Fridays and Middlesbrough at Macmillan Academy on Sundays.
These sessions complement the existing sessions in Sunderland, delivered in partnership with Young Asian Voices: at Thornhill Academy on Wednesdays and a girls only and boys’ sessions at Sans Street Centre on Fridays.
All sessions are shaped by the young people, giving them a sense of ownership and helping create an inclusive environment where they can build confidence, develop skills and enjoy time with friends.
The weekly hubs are completely free to attend, with no specialist equipment or kit required, having Durham Cricket Foundation coaches and volunteers supporting the young people to build their cricket skills and enjoy the session with their friends.
Durham Cricket Foundation’s expansion of Chance to Shine Street Cricket reinforces its ongoing commitment to community engagement, inclusion and providing positive opportunities for young people across the region.
To get involved, email Shahzana Aslam at shahzana.aslam@durhamcricket.co.uk or register online via the Street Cricket sign-up form.