Sussex Cricket Foundation

BUILDING OUR MOMENTUM

This year is shaping up to be another exciting one for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, as we aim to build upon our successes in 2021.

Last year saw a huge increase in participation. More clubs provided opportunities for women and girls, there were more chances for participants with disabilities, Urban Cricket Plans were launched in Brighton and Crawley, our Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub got established and ‘In the Bag’, where food bags are provided to families in need in Brighton & Hove, continued.

The year ended with the return of our fundraising lunch, Where Cricket Meets, where we were joined by former England manager Glenn Hoddle. More than £40,000 was raised towards supporting key Foundation initiatives.

In 2022 our aim is to continue the momentum and make the game as accessible as possible across the county. There are increased opportunities available for all to access cricket this summer, no matter your ability, age or gender. The continued growth and development of women and girls and disability cricket is very important to us, as we strive to make cricket accessible for all.

We are also supporting talented players on our boys and girls pathway, whose families may struggle with costs associated with playing cricket, through our ‘Champions Fund’. This aims to help support young players of all ages, abilities and genders access financial support or equipment.

Supporting our communities is extremely important as we actively aim to change lives through the power of cricket. We are really excited about the work we are conducting in Brighton and Crawley, where we launched five-year plans to grow and develop the game, while also addressing facility issues in both areas. We continue to run successful Sporting Memories programmes which help support those with early stages of dementia or memory loss as well as Walking Cricket, which provides opportunities for the over-55s to continue to play the game.

With capacity crowds due to return this summer, we want to provide as many opportunities for people to visit the ground as possible. Whether you’re a child at a school, a player at a club or someone from our local communities, we want to ensure everyone can watch our exciting young team in action. We anticipate that our annual Schools Day, Clubs Day and DIScoverABILITY days will all run.

Finally, we continue to grow as a team and have recently recruited five Community Coaches, including three female coaches. My team deserve huge credit for their hard work, passion and commitment to help deliver our objectives. They have all played a part in the successes we have achieved and they should be proud of this.

If you would like to learn more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation please read our 2021 Impact Report - sussexcricket.co.uk/foundation-latest-news

If anyone is interested in volunteering or sponsoring or donating to any of our activities, please get in touch at

foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk

Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you all at The 1st Central County Ground during the course of the summer.