Charity launches in Bristol to help more black children into cricket
An event was held at the County Ground this morning ahead of England v New Zealand
A new charity has launched in Bristol today (September 16) hoping to get more black children into cricket.
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has partnered with Ace which will now go into schools across the city promoting the sport.
The charity was first created by Surrey County Cricket Club in January 2020 in response to a decline of black British professional players by 75% in recent years.
It held coaching sessions for young black players which then led to trials for 70 young boys and girls at the Kia Oval in early 2020.
As a result 25 scholarships were given out with Surrey CCC.
Thanks to a £100,000 donation from insurance firm Royal London the scheme has now expanded to Bristol.
Ace is chaired by ex England women's player Ebony Rainford-Brent:
“Being able to provide pathways to support young, talented cricketers is essential if we are to develop more elite cricketers from black communities," she said.
"Funding like this is helping to empower a new generation of players that otherwise may not have been involved.
"We are grateful to Royal London for helping us on our mission to inspire the wider game to become more representative of society.”
Mark Alleyne, who is currently assistant coach for the Gloucestershire men's team, is the county's most decorated former player.
He became the third black person to coach an English first-class cricket team in 2004 when he took on the role of head coach.
“We want to tap in to the catchment of young black cricketers in Bristol through the programme, and then target those who have not aspired to play the game for reasons such as a lack of representation," he said.
"We are trying to tackle that and move forward, which is a positive thing.
“The aim is to reignite the passion to play the game in the city; the ACE programme has a real opportunity to capture young kids and their parents to encourage them to come and play.
"We want families and young cricketers to enjoy playing cricket and it would be great if we could increase the catchment of players the club can select from in the county.”
The charity's partnership with Gloucestershire CCC was launched this morning ahead of a One Day International between England and New Zealand women at the County Ground.