All Stars Cricket – the fun, active form of the game for 5 to 8-year-old boys and girls.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today launched the first nationwide entry-level participation programme for cricket, with the aim of getting 50,000 boys and girls excited by the game this year.
A new generation of families will be introduced to cricket through All Stars Cricket, a major new grassroots initiative which starts in May.
All Stars Cricket will be delivered through local cricket clubs and centres across England and Wales throughout the summer, giving 5-8 year olds their first experience of the game.
From today (Monday 20 March) parents can register their kids to take part via allstarscricket.co.uk. After signing-up, boys and girls will have a cricket ‘back-pack’ delivered to their door with a bat, ball and everything they need to try the game for the first time.
They will then start an eight-week programme at their local participating centre, with the emphasis placed firmly on learning how to play the game in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. Children will also learn the social development skills that team sport brings.
Each session of the 8-week programme – developed with input from Director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss and the performance team – will give children the basic skills they need to develop a lifelong love of cricket.
ECB will give participating centres free All Stars kits, volunteer training and support via a central marketing campaign, celebrating ‘Big Moments’ as children take their first steps in the game. The programme reflects ECB’s strategic framework for growing the game at every level.