Former England batsman and current England Selector James Taylor joined children from Sybourn Primary School in Waltham Forest for their PE lesson on Thursday 27 September.
James is an ambassador for children’s cricket charity, Chance to Shine, which gives young people the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. He spent the afternoon giving Sybourn Primary Year 5 pupils batting, bowling and fielding tips on the playground. He also took part in a special ‘Spirit of Cricket’ assembly led by Essex Cricket coach Charlotte Read to help teach the children the importance of good sportsmanship.
Students were given a chance to ask James questions about his England cricket career and the serious heart condition that forced him to retire from playing cricket in 2016. He spoke passionately about the lessons that experience had taught him, from not giving up when faced with challenges to always embracing change.
Speaking at the school, Chance to Shine Ambassador Taylor said, “I absolutely loved my time at Sybourn Primary today. The children here clearly love cricket and the school has really harnessed the power that sport can have on young people’s lives. I was really impressed by the questions the children asked me, especially around my heart condition and retirement from cricket which was the most difficult time of my life.”
