Chance to Shine brings cricket to Sussex school

Last month, Cross in Hand CE Primary School (Heathfield) was the venue for a unique visit which saw the Sussex Cricket Foundation, Chance to Shine and some special cricketing guests, team-up to deliver a day of cricket with a twist. 

Current Southern Vipers & Sussex CCC Women’s players, Mary & Millie Taylor and former England & Essex Wicketkeeper, James Foster dropped in to meet the children, share their cricketing experiences and take part in some practical sessions. 

The theme for National Cricket Week 2023 was #ExpressYourself and the day centred around this.

During a whole school Assembly, led by Ian Gregory from Chance to Shine, the children learnt about cricket and the physical & personal skills needed to play the sport.

They also heard stories from Mary, Millie & James, including their personal favourite moments from ‘The Ashes’ down the years. 

The Chance to Shine mascot, newly named ‘Charlie’ the Confident Cricketer was also on hand during the Assembly and took part in a series of skills challenges with some of the children and teachers. 

As well as an Assembly, two Year 4 classes took part in ‘Play’ cricket sessions on the school field and got to practice their catching skills with wicket-keeping great, James Foster.

Meanwhile in the classroom, Mental Health themed ‘Learn’ lessons took place, in which Mary & Millie shared their top-tips for dealing with stress and managing your Mental Health. 

In reaction to the day Rebecca Bristow-Diamond, Teacher at Cross in Hand CE Primary School said: “Thank you all for yesterday, the children all had a fabulous day!

"It was very well organised and the children were engaged and came in this morning talking about cricket, which was so lovely.” 

Oliver Smith, Chance to Shine Programme Lead for the Sussex Cricket Foundation said: “It was fantastic to be chosen by Chance to Shine to hold such a brilliant day to kick-off #NationalCricketWeek.

"Great work goes on at schools across the county, such as Cross in Hand and it was superb to be able to reward the school and shine a light on the work we do as a county in primary schools.

"Added to this, to have Mary, Millie and James there on the day was just superb.

"You could see that the children were so inspired by meeting some professional cricketers – particularly Mary and Millie, who are local players from Eastbourne, and have come through the Sussex CCC Women’s and Girls’ pathway so recently!” 

Earlier in the year, the school took part in the Chance to Shine Schools programme, which consisted of a term of weekly cricket ‘Play’ sessions and After School Club sessions delivered by Sussex Cricket Foundation Community Coaches.

The key aim of the programme is to grow cricket in the school and the local area. By connecting the school to the local cricket clubs, transitioning pupils to those cricket clubs and growing the confidence of Teachers to facilitate cricket in their school. 

Thanks to valued community partners like Chance to Shine and others, the Sussex Cricket Foundation deliver a range of free and paid-for cricket programmes in Primary Schools throughout the academic year. 

If you would like the Sussex Cricket Foundation to deliver cricket in your school during the 2023/24 academic year, please visit our Schools Cricket website page - sussexcricket.co.uk/schools-cricket and get in touch. 

Chance to Shine have also created a fantastic Teachers/Schools Portal; filled with some brilliant PE, Classroom based and Competition resources that meet National Curriculum standards. Click here to sign-up now to this free resource and develop cricket in your school!