With the 2024 Autumn Budget, the £35m funding for grassroots cricket to revive the game in England is under threat.
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After the English women’s team shock exit in the ICC T20 World Cup and the Men’s struggles against Pakistan and the West Indies, the future of cricket in England seems in jeopardy.
With the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivering the 2024 Autumn Budget, the £35m government funding for grassroots cricket to revive the game is under threat. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak put forth this initiative in April 2024.
Promise of England Cricket’s brighter future
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak put forth the ‘Inspiring Generations’ project in April 2024. (AP)
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was set to make cricket accessible for those outside of private education as part of the ‘Inspiring Generations’ initiative. The project was also greenlit to grow cricket’s popularity ahead of the women’s and men’s T20 World Cups in 2026 and 2030 in England.
The plan focused on constructing 16 cricket domes across England to ensure cricket is played year-round. In October 2023, Bradford constructed the pilot dome. Since then two more domes are in development in Luton and Walsall for 900,000 youngsters from inner-city areas.
Further, the board committed to making cricket accessible in 500 state secondary schools by training teachers to deliver cricket through PE lessons. The ECB also wanted to make the sport more inclusive for children with special needs.
Hindrance in the project
With the Chancellor of the Exchequer looking to make tax rises and spending cuts, the ‘Inspiring Generations’ project has been put on hold. (AP)
But with the Chancellor eyeing tax rises and spending cuts, she has put this undertaking on hold. Concurrently, the ECB has also been notified that the full extent of the cuts will be clarified by next spring.
Richard Thompson, the ECB chairman, pointed out the benefits and the importance of this project speaking to the Times.
“This was one of very few projects which had gone through consultation and a pilot project for over a year. It was ready-made and it would be very frustrating to not then be able to roll this out on scale. The concept had been proven through the investment we had already made in Bradford Park Avenue.”
“That money [the £35 million] was going to fund 20 domes and was a big step towards getting cricket back among state school children and into communities where cricket has been lost. State schools were going to be the hub and the spokes were the local clubs.”
ECB Chairman Richard Thompson
Impact on the next generation
Lead Coach for the Boys U11 at Wimbledon CC, Billy Sewell, shared insights on the impact of the budget cuts. He revealed how the decision could hinder the future of cricket in England.
The impact of these budget cuts could hamper the future of cricket in England. (Jim Ross/Invision/AP)
“It will make it difficult for kids to get into cricket. The sport has had a class issue where private schools have it easier. However, state schools don’t have the means to organise cricket matches and provide the kids with ample equipment, which will be more difficult with the cut in funding. Further, this decision will make it difficult for boys and girls to fall in love with cricket and could rob us of a generation of cricketers moving forward.”
Lead Coach for the Boys U11 at Wimbledon CC, Billy Sewell
The government’s decision on funding could be the deciding factor whether cricket thrives or falters at the grassroots level and shape the game for generations.
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HeadlineEngland’s cricket revival in peril: budget cuts threaten grassroots investment
Short HeadlineEngland’s cricket revival in peril
StandfirstWith the 2024 Autumn Budget, the £35m funding for grassroots cricket to revive the game is under threat.
After the English women’s team shock exit in the ICC T20 World Cup and the Men’s struggles against Pakistan and the West Indies, the future of cricket in England seems in jeopardy.
With the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivering the 2024 Autumn Budget, the £35m government funding for grassroots cricket to revive the game is under threat. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak put forth this initiative in April 2024.
Promise of England Cricket’s brighter future
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak put forth the ‘Inspiring Generations’ project in April 2024. (AP)
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was set to make cricket accessible for those outside of private education as part of the ‘Inspiring Generations’ initiative. The project was also greenlit to grow cricket’s popularity ahead of the women’s and men’s T20 World Cups in 2026 and 2030 in England.
The plan focused on constructing 16 cricket domes across England to ensure cricket is played year-round. In October 2023, Bradford constructed the pilot dome. Since then two more domes are in development in Luton and Walsall for 900,000 youngsters from inner-city areas.
Further, the board committed to making cricket accessible in 500 state secondary schools by training teachers to deliver cricket through PE lessons. The ECB also wanted to make the sport more inclusive for children with special needs.
Hindrance in the project
With the Chancellor of the Exchequer looking to make tax rises and spending cuts, the ‘Inspiring Generations’ project has been put on hold. (AP)
But with the Chancellor eyeing tax rises and spending cuts, she has put this undertaking on hold. Concurrently, the ECB has also been notified that the full extent of the cuts will be clarified by next spring.
Richard Thompson, the ECB chairman, pointed out the benefits and the importance of this project speaking to the Times.
“This was one of very few projects which had gone through consultation and a pilot project for over a year. It was ready-made and it would be very frustrating to not then be able to roll this out on scale. The concept had been proven through the investment we had already made in Bradford Park Avenue.”
“That money [the £35 million] was going to fund 20 domes and was a big step towards getting cricket back among state school children and into communities where cricket has been lost. State schools were going to be the hub and the spokes were the local clubs.”
ECB Chairman Richard Thompson
Impact on the next generation
Lead Coach for the Boys U11 at Wimbledon CC, Billy Sewell, shared insights on the impact of the budget cuts. He revealed how the decision could hinder the future of cricket in England.
The impact of these budget cuts could hamper the future of cricket in England. (Jim Ross/Invision/AP)
“It will make it difficult for kids to get into cricket. The sport has had a class issue where private schools have it easier. However, state schools don’t have the means to organise cricket matches and provide the kids with ample equipment, which will be more difficult with the cut in funding. Further, this decision will make it difficult for boys and girls to fall in love with cricket and could rob us of a generation of cricketers moving forward.”
Lead Coach for the Boys U11 at Wimbledon CC, Billy Sewell
The government’s decision on funding could be the deciding factor whether cricket thrives or falters at the grassroots level and shape the game for generations.
