BACA Extends Partnership with Sussex Cricket and Sussex Cricket Foundation

Sussex Cricket Ltd. and the Sussex Cricket Foundation are delighted to confirm the extension of its partnership with the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) for a further 3 years, continuing its commitment to transforming state school cricket in Sussex.

The partnership which has been in existence for 10 years, has seen BACA become the gold standard for state school cricket, not only in Sussex but also across the Country. Led by ex-Sussex & England Head Coach, Mark Robinson, the schools’ programmes with support from Sussex Cricket are thriving, and provides participation and elite opportunities for people to access the game and fulfil their potential.

The development of state school cricket is of high priority for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, and exciting plans are in place using BACA as a central hub to further transform state school cricket across the county, with the launch of an exciting new programme due to be announced shortly.

BACA continues to evolve its offer including now having a close relationship with the Square One Cricket Centre based at the University of Brighton. Over 100 students are now benefiting from the cricketing offer which, is specifically designed to enable students to undertake their studies in the mornings and to concentrate on developing their cricketing skills in the afternoons.

BACA has recently launched the County’s first state school cricket programme for girls (for Years. 7 – 11). This will help support the growth and development of the Women & Girls game in Sussex, whilst also helping to identify new talent for the Sussex Womens Pathway & Tier 2 team.

As part of the partnership, the Aldridge Foundation, which has been a long-term supporter of Sussex Women’s and Girl’s Cricket, will also continue as front of shirt sponsor for the Sussex Women’s team until September 2028, another sign of its commitment to growing the game.

The Sussex Women’s team, who compete in Tier 2 of the new ECB structure, will be playing games this summer at Hove, Horsham & Arundel, which help create an improved connection between the team and supporters across the County.

It’s an exciting year for the Women & Girls game with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup having now started in England this summer. The Sussex Cricket Foundation will be using the World Cup this as a tool to help engage and inspire women & girls to play, watch or volunteer in the game. As part of England’s preparation for the tournament, they beat New Zealand in front of a sold-out crowd on Monday 25th May at The County Ground, Hove.

Sir Rod Aldridge, Founder of the Aldridge Foundation: “This year is the 20th anniversary of the Aldridge Foundation and the cricket programme at BACA has demonstrated the power of cricket to develop attributes which enable our students not only to perform well on the pitch but to prepare well for a fulfilling and successful life.”

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Director of Sussex Cricket Foundation: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with BACA, which is a key part of our mission to transform state school cricket in Sussex. The high-quality opportunities BACA provide, not only help make cricket accessible but also helps identify talented players for our Sussex Men, Women & Disability teams which ensures everyone has opportunity to fulfil their potential”.

Shaun Simmonds, Marketing Manager of Sussex Cricket: "Having attended Falmer High School before it became BACA, I have seen the positive change that Brighton Aldridge Community Academy has made to the local community first-hand. The partnership between Sussex Cricket, Sussex Cricket Foundation and BACA has inspired thousands of children from state school backgrounds, and BACA's continued commitment to women and girls' cricket in Sussex, for a further three years, is something to really celebrate."

To find out more about the offerings at BACA please visit their website https://www.baca-uk.org.uk/ or please contact Clara Bowden - cbowden@baca-uk.co.uk To learn more about Sussex Cricket https://sussexcricket.co.uk/ or the Sussex Cricket Foundation please visit their website or contact foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk

Tickets for Sussex Women's fixtures can be booked here

Find out more about the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and book tickets here.