What is Wicketz Yorkshire?

Wicketz Yorkshire aims to make a lasting positive effect on those living in high deprived areas in Yorkshire, using Cricket as the hook. The project gets children off the streets and into cricket as well as working on community cohesion through a number of different activities.

By establishing sustainable community cricket hubs, we provide year-round weekly cricket sessions for youngsters with a focus on developing crucial life skills.

How is the programme delivered in the region?

Wicketz is a national programme funded by The Lord Taverners organisation and in Yorkshire we deliver sessions in Leeds, Bradford and Hull.

It is a community cricket programme aimed at:

– young people aged 8-19 years old – helping those living in areas of deprivation and hard-to-reach groups – removing barriers for youngster without access to sporting opportunities and providing the benefits sport can bring

Wicketz and community impact

Wicketz is more than just cricket! We use the sport for social development by hosting workshops on social issues, which are based on the needs of each community group. Sessions include tackling some hard-hitting subjects like gangs, knife crime and violence whilst also teaching children about diet, nutrition and cultural identity.

Wicketz has also helped to upskill people local to the hubs, by putting individuals on level one and two coaching courses, as well as offering volunteers who help with the sessions CPD opportunities, such as sports leadership courses.

Since the project began in just December 2017, the impact on participants has been huge, with 80% of participants indicating that the sessions have improved their individual confidence and 70% highlighting they have made new friendships with other children from different areas in their local communities. A harsh reality is that a huge barrier for people participating in sport in these areas is the cost associated with it. So Wicketz is free and always will be!

For further details please contact:

Matthew Crookes – Leeds and Bradford on E: [email protected]

Rick Robinson – Hull on E: [email protected]