Lord’s Taverners Wales’ community cricket programme doubles capacity to cope with demand

LORD’S Taverners Wales’ free community cricket programme, ‘Wicketz’, is now running twice weekly sessions at its Llanrumney hub to accommodate the increasing demand experienced since restarting at the end of August.

Every Tuesday, youngsters can book to attend one of the two sessions that now run after school from 4:00pm-4:45pm or 5:00pm-5:45pm at Llanrumney Hall. By extending the sessions, capacity has increased from 27 to 54 to cope with the surge in youngsters trying to secure places, and all lessons are delivered outside to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and government guidelines.

Wicketz was established last year by Lord’s Taverners – the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity – and encourages young people aged 8-16 to take part in cricket and enjoy physical activity regardless of their background, circumstances or ability, while promoting positive life choices. Wicketz also helps youngsters develop social and personal skills that will benefit them later in life.

Here in South Wales, Lord’s Taverners Wales works in conjunction with Cricket Wales, to promote and deliver the initiative which includes a variety of activities such as shorter games, drills and elements of competition. All kits and equipment are provided for attendees.

As well as Llanrumney, there are also Wicketz hubs in Abercynon and Ferndale, however both have had to temporarily pause activity until the local lockdown lifts.

Andrew Gibson, Chairman Lord’s Taverners, Wales, said: “Wicketz is a nationwide scheme that is having a real impact in local communities; bringing youngsters together through sport and providing opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them.

“The huge success in Llanrumney enabled us to establish a further two regional hubs and we look forward to restarting them and welcoming all the youngsters back as soon as we are able.”

Wicketz South Wales Development Officer, Gabby Basketter, said: “We were initially worried that after the lockdown our participants would have lost interest in Wicketz, but it’s been overwhelming to see that demand has more than doubled to attend our sessions. It gives an opportunity for young people in Llanrumney to engage with others from the community and take part in cricket, as well as helping to develop skills they can use in everyday life.”

To book spaces on the Tuesday sessions at the Llanrumney hub, contact Gabby on gabby.basketter@cricketwales.org.uk. For further information about Lord’s Taverners Wales, visit www.lordstaverners.org/our-regions/wales/ or follow @LordsTavsWales on Twitter.