Teachers across Nottinghamshire are set to benefit from a new inset-training programme from Trent Bridge aimed at getting more youngsters playing cricket.

It’s all thanks to funding from official Notts team sponsor PKF and Sportsmatch, the government-funded scheme helping grass roots and community sports in England, who are paying for coaches to train teachers how to use Kwik Cricket equipment in PE lessons.

Teachers that complete the course will then be given a free set of kit to use at school, with the aim of encouraging more entries into Kwik Cricket festivals during the summer.

PKF, the Nottingham-based accountants and business advisors, has been team sponsor for Notts for the past seven seasons.

The company had discussed extending its working relationship with Trent Bridge and partner Paul Ellis said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to help out Nottinghamshire cricket at grassroots level.

“While we have always had an excellent relationship with Notts, we were keen to raise our profile in the local community. Schools often provide the first opportunity for children to play cricket and this was an excellent way for us to help teachers to promote the game.”

Staff from the Cricket Development at Trent Bridge will show teachers how to run warm-ups and games with the kit, as well as various batting, bowling and fielding drills.

They will also be provided with other resources and lesson plans, all designed to ensure that cricket is being taught throughout the year.

Schools can then enter sides into Kwik Cricket festivals at their local Focus Clubs, extending links with the local community and encouraging more youngsters to take the game up at club level.

The inset days are now being rolled out across the county and Rushcliffe school sport partnership development manager Chris Ballard said: “PKF’s sponsorship will provide us with high-quality equipment, resources and training.

“We are constantly striving to improve the quality and delivery of PE in our schools and this can only help us achieve that aim.

“Hopefully it will all lead to more children taking up playing and watching cricket and perhaps, eventually, producing a future Notts star.”