Welcome from Kate Miller

Welcome to October’s edition of the Raising The Game Bulletin.

This month we’re delighted to announce the launch of Inspiring Generations 2.0, our game-wide strategy for 2025-2028. This update builds on the foundations we’ve laid to date. It’s an evolution not a revolution of all our activity from the last five years and will aim to turbocharge efforts up to 2028. Alongside this strategy, we’ve also released a series of action plans (listed within this bulletin) that dive deeper into key areas, including state schools and volunteering. Across all these plans our ultimate goal remains unchanged – we want to become the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales.

In this edition, we continue to highlight the work taking place to make this vision a reality. Whether it’s spotlighting mental health support services, opening up the game for women and girls or celebrating outstanding performances in disability sport, great strides are being made at all levels of the game. Thank you for all your hard work. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

It has been wonderful to see the game mark several notable EDI calendar moments over the last month. For World Mental Health Day we’ve focused on storytelling, using first-hand reflections and personal insights to spark conversation and provide support. It has also been great to see clubs such as Budleigh Salterton CC run initiatives to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities.

Thanks to all those who tuned into the Raising The Game Live event we hosted for Black History Month. I'm sure you'll agree that it was a privilege to hear from renowned speaker, John Amaechi, and changemakers from across the game who inspired us with their stories and advice.

We hope that for those who observed, you had a meaningful and blessed Yom Kippur.

I’d like to wish all those celebrating, a happy Diwali. May this festival of lights bring happiness, prosperity and peace.

With best wishes,

Kate Miller

Chief Communications Officer

RECENT NEWS AND UPDATES

Most inclusive sport: Our next steps

On Wednesday 23 October, the ECB launched its updated Inspiring Generations strategy for the game, alongside five EDI action plans to drive further progress in the sport.

The second iteration of the Inspiring Generations strategy details the ECB’s vision of becoming the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales, whilst growing and uniting the game, and leading it through global transformation.

The ultimate goal is to inspire a generation to believe cricket is a sport for them. The strategy sets out the ambition by 2028 to:

• Expand the numbers of people engaging with cricket – through playing, watching, attending or following online – to an average of 14m each year.
• Grow the number of children playing cricket in an average week by 10%.
• Make further progress in improving visibility, profile and access across the game for women and girls to drive the perception of cricket as a gender-equal sport.
• Measurably improve cricket’s diversity, inclusion, equity and fair access.
• Ensure the health of the men’s and women’s professional game, supporting 18 high-performing, inclusive and financially sustainable professional counties.

The ECB has also published a series of action plans for cricket, to coincide and support with the relaunch of Inspiring Generations, these include:

• EDI Action Plan – read here.
• State School Action Plan – read here.
• Ethnically Diverse Communities Action Plan – read here.
• Volunteer Action Plan – read here.
• Talent Pathway Action Plan – read here.

None of this would be possible to deliver on without the support of the whole network – from First Class and National Counties through to clubs and charity partners. We are excited to work together to make cricket the most inclusive team sport.

Celebrating changemakers in cricket for Black History Month

We welcomed NBA legend and New York Times best-selling author, Professor John Amaechi to Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday 10 October for an event to mark Black History Month.

In a very candid talk, John shared his extensive knowledge on how bias shows up in everyday society and made an urgent call for us all to be part of the change. He was joined by brilliant changemakers across cricket:

• Chelsea Alagoa, former international athlete & Warwickshire Cricket Engagement Lead across ACE funded projects
• Abidine Sakande, Co-Chair of the PCA's EDI Working Group & former player
• Harwood Williams, Chair of Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club

These inspiring panellists shared their own personal stories and motivations, as well as strong calls to actions for the audience. You can watch a recording of the event here.

We also kicked off our new series to celebrate changemakers in cricket. As part of this, we’ll be sharing inspirational stories throughout October and beyond. For our first two features, we heard from former Sussex & Leicestershire fast bowler Abidine Sakande and former England Women's player Ebony Rainford-Brent.

Abi is using his experience on and off the pitch, and his role as The Professional Cricketers’ Association Inclusion Champion, to make a difference. Read Abi’s full story here.

And while you may be familiar with Ebony's legacy as the first female Black player for England, as a broadcaster across both radio and TV and as the founder of the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) programme, there are still plenty more ways she has been a changemaker and she has some sound advice for us all in this video.

Last but not least, the ECB’s EDI Education Manager, Georgia Pulman, has shared a powerful blog post about Black hair and identity. Georgia speaks openly about how for her, and many others with African-Caribbean heritage, hair is not just hair. It’s both a proud part of one’s cultural identity but also a source of racial discrimination. Read more here.

Lord’s Taverner’s Super 1s Awards

On Friday 4 October, Lord’s Taverners hosted an awards evening to celebrate participants from its Super 1s programme. Super 1s is a community cricket programme for young people with a disability for whom opportunities to take part in regular competitive sport can be limited. Super 1s provides an opportunity for everyone to play and helps young people realise their potential. It improves their physical and mental well-being, giving a sense of belonging as they make friends and gain skills for life, such as confidence and independence.

England international players, Emma Lamb and Ed Hossell presented Inspire Awards to four young winners, recognising their achievements and successes:

• Abdul – for his efforts in improving opportunities for young people with disabilities in his community.
• Hamza – for his personal development and contribution to a combined Super 1s and Southampton Wicketz project residential at Arundel Castle this year.
• Imogen – for her remarkable journey of personal growth through cricket. For the first time in Inspire Awards history, the award was also presented to Imogen's mum, Steph, in recognition of her contributions too.
• Lucy – for her inspiring contributions to disability cricket, including mentoring and empowering young people.

CURRENT CAMPAIGNS

Taste of Cricket cookbook launching soon with proceeds going to cricket’s charities

By now, you probably know all about our Taste of Cricket campaign and the exciting new cookbook which includes recipes from the huge breadth of cuisines that cricket teas encompass, ranging from Sri Lankan and Caribbean to Welsh, Afghani, Indian and beyond. 

The recipes, from iconic broadcasters and cricketers, famous fans of the game and grassroots legendary tea-makers, celebrate both the classic and innovative ‘match tea’ break in all its guises. From staples such as Fruit Scones to Leek Bhajis, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Afghan Kabuli Pulao, this collection of recipes is a journey across the culinary globe.

Released in time for the festive season, the cookbook includes budget-friendly recipes, some of which will be available digitally across four languages: English, Hindi, Urdu and Welsh. Every copy helps make cricket more accessible, with profits supporting five charity partners: Chance to Shine, ACE (African Caribbean Engagement Programme), Lord’s Taverners, The MCC Foundation and SACA (South Asian Cricket Academy).

World Mental Health Day

We marked World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October with a video featuring international players, Kate Cross, Ben Duckett, Saqib Mahmood and Nat Sciver-Brunt. They open up about some of the mental health challenges they face across the game. You can watch the video here. 

Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club community completed a sponsored walk, raising more than £1,400 for the Samaritans. Over 50 walkers took part in the event in a bid to stand in solidarity with anyone facing mental health struggles. The event was followed by the club's first Comrades Curry Club, held on Thursday 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day. This men-only evening was held to provide a welcoming space and promote companionship and conversation. Both events were part of the club's wider efforts to spread awareness and discussions about mental health, particularly among men, following the tragic passing of England cricketer, Graham Thorpe.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

On the back of two diversity and inclusion workshops Wiltshire Cricket ran in 2024, Biddestone Cricket Club have made great strides to grow the game in their community, particularly for women and girls.

Somerset Cricket Foundation celebrated the Windrush legacy with the Somerset African Caribbean Network at a fixture day on Friday 26 July. The event was jam-packed with activities to promote the network, engage the local community and celebrate African Caribbean culture.

Somerset County Cricket Club, in partnership with WPA Health Insurance have launched ‘Somerset Dreams’ – a project to help young disadvantaged people realise their dreams in cricket. As part of the project, players Tom Abell, Craig Overton and Jack Leach surprised super fan, Fin McKay.

Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club's new pavilion was the perfect setting for an inviting cricket tea to welcome the 20 new players that signed up at it's first women's taster event! Fizz, a Taste of Cricket tea, plenty of enthusiasm and some great coaching ensured the recent was a resounding success, drawing more women from the town and surrounds into the sport.

Bridget Culver, BSCC Women’s player said: “Around 20 new faces (along with several established players) attended the latest BSCC Ladies Taster event. As the sun set the ladies enjoyed a mixture of fielding drills and a modified game scenario. There were laughs and concentration a plenty as they practised the art of catching, throwing, fielding, batting, running, calling and teamwork.”

Former England Women player, Anya Shrubhole has been named as chair of the women’s players and fixtures sub-committee at Marylebone Cricket Club. In her role, Anya will support MCC’s drive for ensuring an increasingly welcoming, fair and equitable game for women and girls.

Berkshire Cricket have launched a series of free cricket sessions for girls aged 8 – 15, with the aim of getting more girls involved in the sport. This is in addition to the nine other free street sessions run across Berkshire each week.

St Chad’s Broomfield Cricket Club published a blog for World Mental Health Day, looking at the mental health impacts for cricket volunteers.

Lincolnshire Cricket has announced a new partnership with Grimsby Town Foundation as part of the Premier League Kicks Programme. Launched in mid-September, the partnership will offer free year-round cricket and football sessions to young people across the local community.

EDI CONTENT HUB

Marking World Mental Health Day

On the back of World Mental Health Day (Thursday 10 October), James Pyemont from the ECB has shared his own mental health journey. James explains how he accessed support and what he hopes others can take way from him sharing his experience.

You can watch all the videos here.

Recognising and combating racial microaggressions

For Black History Month, Lancashire CCC has produced some guidance around recognising racial microaggressions including what they are and what you can do to combat them.

You can read more here.

Israel – Gaza conflict anniversary

With the recent marking of 7 October anniversary, we know that many people across the game are feeling the impact of the Israel-Gaza conflict, whether directly or indirectly, especially for those with personal ties.

There are several resources on Islamophobia and Antisemitism available on the EDI Content Hub:  

• Islamophobia Educational Resource
• Recognising Antisemitism

Diwali

Thursday 31 October marks the start of Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights. This annual occasion is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across the world, symbolising the spiritual victory of light over darkness.

The five-day observance is marked by colourful light displays, candles and fireworks along with many other traditions.

To learn more about Diwali, watch this video series from Hina Mistry (Anti-Discrimination Unit Support Officer)

We’ve pulled together a short guide for how you can celebrate Diwali at home; please click here.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Cornwall Cricket will host Cornwall’s first-ever LGBTQ+ cricket event, funded by the National Lottery

Taking place at the Cornwall Cricket Centre, Truro College, the National Lottery Funded event aims to celebrate inclusivity, diversity and the love for cricket within the local LGBTQ+ community and beyond. It will feature glow-in-the-dark cricket, bringing a fresh and electrifying twist to the traditional game.

?? Friday 8 November

? 19:00 start

?? Cornwall Cricket Centre, Truro College (TR1 3XX)

Please sign up via this form. For more information, please email Kellie Williams (kellie.williams@cornwallcricket.co.uk).

EDI Calendar

Download our full 2024 EDI Calendar, giving you all the dates of key events throughout the year.

A reminder of key events happening in November: World Kindness Day (13 November), Trans Awareness Week (13-19 November), Gurupurab/Guru Nanak’s Birthday (15 November), Disability History Month (16 November – 16 December), International Me’s Day (19 November).

UPDATES FROM OUR EMPLOYEE NETWORKS

Women in Cricket Employee Network – Webinar for World Menopause Day (18 October)

On Friday 18 October, Emily Allen, the founder of EmPower Health gave a brilliant talk to mark World Menopause Day. Led by the Women in Cricket Employee Network, the talk was attended by over 50 individuals from across the game. Emily spoke about the stages of the menopause and ways to manage symptoms. You can view Emily’s Q&A on the ED Content Hub here. 

If you'd like to hear about future events from the Women in Cricket Employee Network, please sign up to their email list. You can do so by dropping a note to womenincricket@ecb.co.uk.

BEYOND THE BOUNDARY: EDI PROGRESS FROM OUTSIDE CRICKET 

Premiership Women’s Rugby has launched a new “I’m Powered Differently” campaign, which showcases how players balance elite-level rugby alongside demanding careers. While it’s unfortunate that elite female sport can involve having to balance two jobs, the campaign highlights the players’ resilience and reality.

Professional footballer, Millie Bright features in a new CPR Bra campaign for St John Ambulance designed to tackle gender disparity in CPR. The CPR Bra has been created to reassure people that taking fast action is the right thing to do to save a life regardless of gender.

WSL and Premier League club Crystal Palace joined their men’s and women’s squads together for a squad photo under the caption, “One club. Crystal Palace.” It’s fantastic to see clubs unite as one, and we hope to see more of this from other clubs!

HOW ARE YOU MAKING THE GAME MORE INCLUSIVE? 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of the Raising The Game Bulletin. 

We’d love to profile the work you’re doing to make the game more inclusive and to embody cricket’s core values:

• Run on Respect
• Embrace Enjoyment
• Build Belonging
• Progress with Purpose

However big or small the project or initiative might be, we’d like to hear about it. It could be anything from lending a helping hand to someone in need at your club, sharing the story of a brilliant volunteer or hosting a community gathering. If you’d like us to spotlight your club or members via our Raising The Game channels, please email: raisingthegame@ecb.co.uk.