Sussex Cricket EDI Update

Sussex Cricket Provides We Are You Are Progress Update

With so much going on at Sussex Cricket to over the past 18 months to promote inclusivity and make cricket a game for everyone, the Club has provided an update on a range of initiatives designed to support the objectives of our EDI Strategy.

What was our plan?

In 2021 we developed the We Are You Are strategy. This Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan would underpin the work carried out by the Club and its charitable arm, the Sussex Cricket Foundation, by providing objectives and direction to increase participation, make our sport a game for everyone and make The 1st Central County Ground a welcoming environment. 

You can view the EDI Action Plan, along with our EDI Policies by visiting the Inclusion section of our website here: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/equality-diversity-and-inclusion

What progress has been made?

Over the past 18 months Sussex Cricket has run a number of initiatives and programmes to make cricket a game for everyone, whilst also investing capital into developing infrastructure to support the growth of the sport across the County. 

• The Crawley Urban Plan will have seen £200,000 invested into cricket in Crawley by the end of 2024
• Brand new three-lane indoor net facility opened at The Apple Tree Centre, Crawley
• Record number of attendees at Foundation’s DIScoverABILITY Day
• Over 500 relocated families given free access to cricket equipment
• 120 staff and Board Members have completed face-to-face EDI training
• Sussex Cricket signed the Muslim Athlete Pledge
• Brand new Changing Places facility and Multi-Faith Room opened at The 1st Central County Ground
• Thousands of free match tickets donated to local schools and cricket clubs 
• First ever Women’s Premier League launched in 2023, with 5 teams competing in the top division and 10 in division 2
• Over £13,000 awarded to cricketers in the Pathway through the Foundation’s Champions Fund

These are just some of the highlights and victories that have been achieved as a result of our EDI Action Plan. But it doesn’t stop there. 

Hear from Diyon De Silva on the impact of his Champion’s Fund support

And also hear from Kayleigh Pavitt on the importance of the Aldridge@BACA Women’s Premier League

What are our next steps?

Sussex Cricket is committed to continuing its mission to make cricket a game for everyone and although we have succeeded in meeting a number of our objectives, we understand that the job is never finished. 

Sussex Cricket will continue to work listen to stakeholders, fans, members and people in the community to ensure their voices are heard. 

We will work alongside the ECB and each of the other 17 First-Class Counties to carry out the ECB’s action plan outlined in their response to the report. You can view the full response and plan by clicking here.