Essex Cricket have joined forces with Southend United Community and Educational Trust (SUCET) to provide more opportunities for people to access the game of cricket in the Southend area.
The agreement, which launched on Monday 12 February for an initial period of one year, will see Essex Cricket train the SUCET coaches to deliver the ECB’s All Stars and Dynamos programmes in schools and community settings around the city.
SUCET will also deliver softball cricket as a regular activity on their Holiday Activity Fund camps during school holidays.
With further training, it is expected that SUCET staff will also deliver the Lords Taverners Super 1s sessions that are aimed at people with neurodiversities and Chance to Shine’s Street Cricket programme that is aimed at young people from low-income backgrounds.
The two clubs are also in discussions about including cricket in SUCET’s BTEC educational programme for those aged 16-18.
Youth Engagement Officer at Essex Cricket, Ian Gray (pictured, fourth from left), said: “The SUCET coaches have taken to the task of delivering cricket in their sessions with great energy and enthusiasm.
“I’ve enjoyed training them and I’m very excited to be working with them to provide more cricket playing opportunities to children and young people in Southend.”
Dan Feist, Deputy Chief Executive at Essex Cricket, added: “The partnership with Southend United Community trust will enable us both to reach our ambitions in providing opportunities for more young people to engage in physical activity.
“As well as enhancing their personal education and development, the partnership will enable us to create a broader range of offers in specific areas of Southend and along the A13.
“It will create the opportunity for a lasting connection to sport, improving health and cohesion between communities.”
Dale Spiby, Chief Executive Officer of SUCET, said: “Two innovative and forward-thinking sporting institutions coming together in Essex is a great thing to see. We now have a large group of very capable coaches that have been upskilled to deliver cricket to the young people of our city.
“That can only be a good thing for the children and young people of the area and our two clubs, so long may this type of partnership working remain.”
