Troy Henry Makes History

Sussex Spinner Troy Henry Becomes First ACE Graduate to Play Professional Men's Cricket

Troy Henry has today become the first graduate of the ACE Programme to play professional men’s cricket – representing Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Henry, a 21-year-old left arm spinner, joined ACE at its original south London hub at the age of sixteen. He was given a rookie contract by Sussex earlier this year, with the contract extended for a further year in June.

Troy’s selection for today’s game marks a major milestone for ACE, who have agreed a goal to produce ten professional cricketers across the men’s and women’s game over the next five years. Amy Wheeler, a seamer for The Blaze, has also earned a contract extension for next season and has represented both The Blaze and Worcestershire this summer.

After a 75% decline of Black players in English domestic game - and further statistics showing less than 1% of recreational players from the Black community - the ACE Programme was setup by former Surrey and England all-rounder Ebony Rainford-Brent and Surrey County Cricket Club in 2020, with the vision to support diverse talent, from the grassroots to the elite in south London. 

Since then, it has become an independent charity, achieving significant funding from Sport England that has allowed further programmes to be established in Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, north London and south east London. Over the last five years, ACE has engaged with over 40,000 young people – including 233 that have gone on to be selected for ACE Elite Academies. ACE runs schools’ programmes, community hubs and elite academies in all eight locations. 

Over the next five years, ACE are also targeting accelerated growth in women’s and girls’ cricket – with a goal to have at least 80 female cricketers on its talent pathways by 2030 – and to create an ACE coaches’ network to further reconnect the Black British community to cricket.

As well as Surrey CCC, ACE have enjoyed significant support from across the game, with major partnerships in place with Sport England, ECB and counties across the country. Sky Sports produced a documentary – ACE In the Making – in 2024, documenting part of Troy and Amy’s journey to the professional game.

ACE Founder and Chair Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE said: “Seeing Troy walk out for Sussex today is a massive moment for him and for the ACE Programme. We’re all incredibly proud of the hard work Troy has put in over the last five years and hope his success can be replicated many times over going forward.”

Chevy Green, Director of Programmes at ACE added: “It’s been an honour to support Troy on his cricketing journey over the last five years and to see him walk out for Sussex is an incredibly proud moment for him and everyone associated with the ACE Programme. We all hope that his success can be a template for others to follow in future.”

Troy’s parents, Holly and Harvey Henry, said: “This is a very proud moment for all the family – members are eagerly tuning in from around the world including Guyana and Canada!

“It is a credit to all of Troy’s hard work and determination to reach this point and we are extremely grateful to all the ACE family who have helped him reach this point – and Sussex for making a dream come true.”

Press Release provided by ACE