2022 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 16 be many in the coming years – and we hope to see those links bear fruit further in 2023. Meanwhile, the return of normality on a grander scale allowed an ex- ponential increase in the number of young people introduced to cricket for the first time, with some 9,400 children from 94 primary schools gaining an introduction to cricket via Chance to Shine – up from 7,500 in 2021. In total, nigh-on 2,000 young people enjoyed their first taste of the sport thanks to All Stars and Dynamos. Amongst their number were refugees like ten-year-old Zahra and her younger brother Hassan – recent arrivals from Iraq with limited previous experience of organised schooling, let alone struc- tured sports activities.The benefits they have gained from taking part in sessions – from cricket skills and a sense of how to behave in group settings to simply feeling safe in their new home nation – are simply impossible to understate. Elsewhere, those who thrive in the white heat of competition were catered for by tournaments in the summer and winter.The number of primary-aged pupils competing in schools’ cricket increased to 859 (from 462), 568 under nines took part in Kwik Cricket leagues (up from 504) and 424 players appeared in the inaugural Indoor WinterYouth League. And competition can be the catalyst for change in some of these young people. Chase Starbuck, a Street Cricket participant at our Haydn Road Community Cricket Club, began his cricketing journey as a polite and enthusiastic participant, but one who appeared low on con- fidence. The arrival of the Street Regional Finals, however, signalled a step- change in Chase’s outlook, and he became a key, vocal contributor as his side reached the final – and displayed the confidence to form a budding friendship with special guest andTrent Rockets star Colin Munro. Chase would go on to be nominated for Chance to Shine’s Participant of theYear award – a passion for cricket firmly ignited, and precious life skills gained. Street Cricket has been a notable area of growth in the past 12 months, with this fast-paced urban format attracting 266 young people to three hubs across the county. And it is not just those with bat and ball in hand who benefit. Bilal Hus- sain’s journey with Chance to Shine began as a Street Cricket participant in 2016, before he began to share his love of the sport with the next generation as a volunteer coach. After Nottinghamshire funded his Foundation I coaching course, Bilal became a key part of our recreational coaching team, and shared his story with the nation on Sky Sports during the final Test of the summer. Elsewhere, over 150 young people attended ourWicketz hubs across the county, where sporting activities are combined with support for those from deprived backgrounds. Our offering for individuals with disabilities has grown, with the addition of an extra Super 1s hub allowing us to provide 50 young people with a cricketing experience. Table cricket competitions received entries from 18 Nottinghamshire- based Special Educational Needs schools (up from 12) – including Mansfield’s Beech Academy, who won the national final at Lord’s. Our work in ensuring that cricketing environments across the county are safe and welcoming continues, with 40 club safeguarding officers and 29 coaches trained in how to ensure the safety of young cricketers. And this network has already proven its worth, with early interventions in “STREET CRICKET HAS BEEN A NOTABLE AREA OF GROWTH IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WITH THIS FAST-PACED URBAN FORMAT ATTRACTING 266 YOUNG PEOPLE TO THREE HUBS ACROSS THE COUNTY.” Tim Eatherington