SURREY CRICKET FOUNDATION 2017 ANNUAL REVIEW
Director of Cricket Participation Paul Taylor looks back on a year of change and great achievement right across the county.
2017 has been another incredibly busy year for the Surrey Cricket Foundation (SCF).
In February, the Cricket Participation team restructured giving promotions to four very deserving individuals. Vicki Howard, Gavin Reynolds, Mark Babb and Harry Ellis were all promoted to Cricket Participation Officers with Vicki and Gavin taking on the lead for women & girls cricket and disabilities cricket respectively. Mark took the lead on our vast school competitions programme whilst Harry led on all events held at The Kia Oval. More importantly this gave us more resources in terms of club support. With Kim Price and Chevy Green also being club facing, we now have six members of staff working directly with our clubs, with Simon Hards taking on a coordinating role within club development.
They have been ably supported by our community coaches and our administration team and whilst there are always continual challenges for us in terms of priorities, we have enjoyed some incredible successes.
Our School’s programme, supported by Chance to Shine, has seen the game introduced to over 23,500 children in 2017. Across the Street projects, we again excelled in terms of delivery and the number of attendees. An achievement that has been highlighted by Chance to Shine across the country. Schools Day this year was held at the Royal London one-day match between Surrey and Kent and we saw just under 5,000 children enjoy the experience at The Kia Oval.
All Stars Cricket was a new ECB initiative which rolled out during 2017. An entry level programme for children aged 5 – 8 years designed to be a fantastic first experience of the game. Working closely with our club network, the SCF established 51 centres and had over 1,600 children registered on the programme – a tremendous effort on behalf of both SCF staff, our All Stars Cricket Champions (Sam Kraft, Graham Mann, Alain Jason and Richard Hall) and the clubs.
The women & girls cricket programme reached new heights during this year, enhanced by the second year of the Kia Super League and the fantastic success of the England women winning the ICC World Cup. New women’s softball festivals ran involving 530 participants and just under 1,000 girls were involved in SCF activities this year, with another 400 attending Women & Girls Day at The Kia Oval.
Our Disabilities programme continues to grow with the continued support of our key funders. With the contributions made by First State Investments, who this year extended and increased their support, and the Lords Taverners, we have been able to expand our programme. Our annual SCF’s Disabilities Day was our most successful ever, with over 600 attendees enjoying the Kia Oval experience. Our Lords Taverners disability hub programme now has a centre established in each of our seven London boroughs with great numbers attending each session. Three of our boroughs, Wandsworth, Kingston and Croydon all qualified for competition finals day held at Lords and at the subsequent awards ceremony we had three winners. Isaac Walker won Player of the Year, Alan Siu was Coach of the Year and Charlie Duckworth was awarded Volunteer of the Year. Many congratulations to all three deserving winners.
Our facility development programme again allocated over £100,000 of funding to clubs as part of the ECB small grants scheme. This means that in the four years that this programme has run, we have been able to support 96 clubs awarding over £300k of grants into a programme delivering a total of over £435k in value. In addition, the SCF supported several clubs with £63k of grants delivering various projects valued at around £200k.
NatWest CricketForce was held this year at Streatham & Marlborough Cricket Club and was a national showcase club for the ECB. The day, which transformed the club, was attended by hundreds of volunteers. England players Steven Finn and Zafar Ansari were also in attendance with support from Surrey spinner Amar Virdi.
Our education programmes delivered by our tutoring teams and supported by the Surrey Coaches and Officials Associations, and the new Groundsman’s Support Network continue to be well attended with just under 900 attendees across the various programmes. We also had over 1,400 attendees on our 2017 junior coaching course programme.
I would like to thank Surrey County Cricket Club for the support that we receive as a Foundation. We are truly blessed and lead the way in terms of cooperative working and integration across the county cricket board network.
I would also like to thank SCF Trustees, especially our Chairman, Simon Dyson, for their commitment and support in helping shape our operation and ensuring we continue to drive the development of our programmes.
In addition, a huge thank you to all the volunteers across the County for all that you do, the game wouldn’t happen without you. Thanks also to the members of our working group structure who help shape our decision making.
Lastly, I would like to thank my team for their hard work, support, passion and dedication throughout the year – without them the successes achieved would not have been possible.
As we move into 2018, discussions are taking place with ECB around a new County Partnership Agreement which we hope will see a six-year funding commitment, starting in October 2018, linked to the new television deal that has been recently negotiated.
KIDS & SCHOOLS
School’s Programme
2017 was another successful year for our school’s program, with over 23,000 pupils receiving regular coaching. The figures below show good improvement on 2016’s program.
2016 2017 123 Schools 120 Schools (75 Primary, 2 Middle, 37 (88 Primary, 22 Secondary & Schools Involved Secondary & 9 Special 10 Special Schools) Schools) Coaching Hours 3,490 4,667 No of Children Receiving 23,696 13,595 Regular Coaching (60% male, 40% female)
No. of inter school matches 2,112 3,006
No. of teachers receiving 69 205 training
We have also received excellent qualitative feedback about the program via the Chance to Shine Survey. Participants have noted that our cricket sessions have helped boost ‘confidence’ and they feel ‘healthier’ amongst other benefits. Teachers noted an ‘increased confidence’ among their students and lauded the benefits that the training aspect offers.
963 (656 primary and 307 secondary) teams entered our competitions in 2017. This is slightly less than in 2016, as this year the secondary outdoor competitions were not run internally, with schools instead encouraged to enter a local secondary school leagues to play regularly.
School Competitions Roll of Honour 2017
Cup Age Group Winner ESCA NatWest County Cup U15 Reeds ECB / ESCA National U15 T20 U15 Whitgift SSCA U15 T20 Vase U15 John Fisher Anderson Cup U14 Trinity U15 Girls Competition U15 St George’s College U13 Girls Competition U13 Kingston Grammar School Watcyn Evans Trophy U13 Trinity U14 Plate Competition U14 Coombe or Rutlish (TBC) U13 Plate Competition U13 Carshalton or Gordons (TBC) U12 Plate Competition U12 John Fisher or Howard of Effingham (TBC)
Bunbury Jubilee Trophy U12 Whitgift Verney Cup U11 KCJS Wimbledon Geoff Richards Trophy U11 Parkside Connellan Trophy U11 West Byfleet Kwik Cricket Year 6 Open U11 Reigate Priory Kwik Cricket Girls U11 Reigate Priory Kwik Cricket Year 5 U10 Westbourne Lady Taverners Indoor U13 Kingston Grammar Lady Taverners Indoor U15 Weydon Year 7/8 Boys Indoor U13 The Charter Year 9/10 Boys Indoor U15 St Mark’s
Hobbs Trophy
The SCF again supported the annual Hobbs Trophy match at the Kia Oval between the Surrey Schools and London Schools Cricket Associations on Monday 8th May. This is a 40 over match between U15 players from state schools in Surrey and London.
London Schools, chose to bat first and finished up with 203. In reply, Surrey Schools cruised to victory, reaching the target of 204 with five overs to spare.
A big thank you to Surrey CCC and the grounds staff who, despite the busy fixture list this year, allowed us to facilitate this historic fixture.
Pinsent Masons Scholarship Programme
12 children from our school’s programme were again selected in 2017 for the Pinsent Masons scholarship which entitles them to a free place at an SCF development course.
The scholars were invited to attend an on-pitch presentation at the Kia Oval at the NatWest T20 Blast Game match between Surrey and Sussex. The awards were presented to the scholars by Pinsent Masons representative, Carolyn Saunders.
The 2017 Pinsent Masons Scholars were; Adam Perowne, Ahsan Ejaz, Ella Eastaway, George Ross, Hamish Forsyth, Jacob Khan, Lukas Boutell, Mati Nunn, Millie Hackney, Ruben Morris & Umair Ejaz.
Woking Bedser Schools Cricket Scholarship Programme
Surrey Cricket runs an annual school’s cricket programme in Woking in honour of Alec and Eric Bedser.
The Bedser Scholarships are awarded annually to six children who are state school educated in Woking and do not play District or County cricket. The scholarship includes cricket equipment vouchers, club subscription, one-to-one coaching, a bespoke five-week coaching course and tickets to attend a match at the Kia Oval.
The 2017 Bedser Scholars were; Morgan Oxborough, Robbie French, Ella Shattock, Nicole Dragos, Douglas Cant and Maaz Ali Ejaz.
Our thanks go to the Bedser Scholarship Working group for their support in making this programme a success.
All Stars Programme
This new entry level national programme, aimed at children aged 5-8 years old, was a success in Surrey. 51 Surrey clubs ran an All Stars programme and 1,607 children participated. Despite the initial ‘teething’ problems, the programme achieved good results which we hope to build on in 2018.
School’s Day
Working with Surrey CCC, the SCF delivered a successful School’s Day on Friday 12th May 2017. The day saw just under 5,000 children from around 121 primary and secondary schools at the Kia Oval to watch the Royal London One Day Cup match between Surrey and Kent, as well as enjoy various activities around the ground. Despite some rain on the day, we received good feedback and schools thoroughly enjoyed the day.
COMMUNITIES
Chance to Shine – Street Youth & Young Adult Programmes
In 2017, SCF ran 11 Street & Inspired Youth (8-14-year olds) projects and seven Street & Inspired Young Adult (16-24-year olds) projects.
The Youth projects have taken place in the London & Surrey boroughs of Lambeth (three Projects), Croydon (two projects), Kingston, Sutton, Merton, Horley, Woking and Guildford. The Young Adult projects have taken place in the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, Croydon, Horley, Woking and Guildford.
This year we engaged with 481 participants across all projects which is up from last year’s figures.
ECB City Cup
The ECB City Cup ran for six weeks over July and August and saw borough sides from Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth play in a T20 league. In a rain interrupted league, Croydon came out triumphant.
From this league, a select XI was chosen to represent South London in the national competition. South London defeated North London, Cardiff and Luton on their way to the final, held at Leicestershire CCC’s, Grace Road, where they lost to Manchester for the second consecutive year.
The players engaged in this competition come mainly from our South Asian & African- Caribbean networks and provides an exit route for our Street Young Adults participants.
CLUBS AND LEAGUES
Junior Leagues - Roll of Honour 2017
League Age Group / League Champions Age Group / League Champions U8 East Dev Capel CC U11 West Dev Bagshot CC U8 North Dev Walton-on-Thames CC U12 Esher CC U8 South Dev Blackheath CC U12 East Horsley & Send CC U8 West Dev Berkshire Club Winner U12 North Esher CC U9 East Dev Maori Oxshott CC U12 North Dev East Molesey CC U9 North Middlesex Club Winner U12 South Blackheath CC U9 North Dev Bagshot CC U12 South Dev Horsley & Send CC U9 South Valley End CC U12 West Dev Normandy CC U9 South Dev Normandy CC U13 East Sunbury CC U10 Farnham CC U13 East Dev Esher CC U10 East Horsley & Send CC U13 North Dev Bagshot CC West Surrey U10 East Dev Esher CC U13 South Dev Maori Oxshott CC Cricket League U10 North Berkshire Club Winner U13 West Godalming CC U10 North Dev Walton-on-Thames CC U14 North Pyrford CC U10 South Farnham CC U14 North Dev Esher CC U10 South Dev Haslemere CC U14 South Epsom CC U10 West Dev Bagshot CC U14 South Dev Byfleet CC U11 Guildford CC U15 East Dev Epsom CC U11 East Weybridge CC U15 North Weybridge CC U11 East Dev Claygate CC U15 North Dev Bagshot CC U11 North Chobham CC U15 South Horsley & Send CC U11 North Dev Weybridge CC U15 South Dev Merrow CC U11 South Guildford CC U17 East Ashtead CC U11 South Dev Blackheath CC U17 West Camberley CC U8 Zone A Wimbledon CC U11 Division 2 Pairs Wimbledon CC U8 Zone B Oxted & Limpsfield CC U12 Zone A Spencer CC U9 Zone A Esher CC U12 Zone B Banstead CC U9 Zone B Purley CC U12 B Team Dulwich CC U9 Softball Spencer CC U13 Division 1 Dulwich CC North East & U9 B Team Spencer CC U13 Division 2 Oxted & Limpsfield CC Central Surrey Trinity Mid Whitgiftians U10 Division 1 U14 Zone A Sutton CC Colts League CC U10 Division 2 Old Rutlishians CC U14 Zone B Banstead CC Trinity Mid Whitgiftians U10 B Team Spencer CC U15 Division 1 CC U11 Purley CC U15 Division 2 Purley CC U11 Division 1 Pairs Spencer CC U10 Pairs Div 1 Spencer CC U14 Division 1 Esher CC U10 Pairs Div 2 Spencer CC ‘B’ U14 Division 2 Bank of England CC U11 Division 1 Wimbledon CC U15 Division 1 Spencer CC U11 Division 2 Leatherhead CC U15 Division 2 Malden Wanderers Mid-Surrey U12 Division 1 Wimbledon CC U14 August League A Cheam CC Colts League U12 Division 2A Wimbledon CC ‘B’ U14 August League B East Molesey CC U12 Division 2B Banstead CC U17 Group A Cheam CC U13 Zone 1 Middlesex Club Winner U17 Group B Middlesex Club Winner U13 Zone 2 Ashtead CC U8 Hampshire Club Winner U12 Chiddingfold CC Two Counties U9 Division 1 Frensham CC U13 Division 1 Guildford CC League U9 Division 2 Sussex Club Winner U13 Division 2 Chiddingfold CC
U10 Division 1 Valley End CC U15 Division 1 Valley End CC U10 Division 2 Hampshire Club Winner U15 Division 2 Hampshire Club Winner U11 Division 1 Hampshire Club Winner U19 Division 1 Hampshire Club Winner U11 Division 2 Sussex Club Winner U19 Division 2 Grayswood CC U8 Merstham CC U13 Lingfield CC U9 Group A Horley CC U14 Dorking CC Southern Railway, Kenley U9 Group B U15 Reigate Priory CC East Surrey and Selsdon CC Colts League U10 Lingfield CC U16 Lingfield CC U11 Reigate Priory CC U17 Reigate Priory CC U12 Lingfield CC
Junior Invitation League
This new initiative for 2017 was an expansion of the U15 Premier League and was intended to bring together the best teams in the County at U13 and U15. Entry was by invitation only and based on performance over the previous two seasons.
18 clubs participated in one, or both, of the age-groups. Each age-group had two regional groups of seven teams. The winners of each regional group then played in a Final. Esher were the U13’s winners and Spencer the U15’s.
Most clubs that participated gave positive feedback at the end of season review, although there were some teething problems.
For 2018, the leagues have been extended to U14, and will be played County wide. Clubs are keen to have the best opposition, even if that means longer journeys. 12 teams have been invited to compete in each age-group, including 9 clubs not included in 2017.
NatWest U19 T20
The NatWest U19 T20 aims to improve retention rates for teenage players in club cricket. The Surrey Trust League took on the administration of the competition and our thanks go to them and Eric Sands for administering such a well-run event.
2017 saw 27 Surrey clubs participate in the competition culminating in a finals day at Horsley and Send CC on August bank holiday. The semi-finals were contested between Walton on Thames, Sutton, Ashtead and Esher, with Sutton the eventual winners in a one-sided final against Ashtead.
South Asian Engagement
The South Asian Working Group and SCF have started several initiatives to improve participation in the South Asian community. This was done by supporting leagues with facilities, up-skilling volunteers through officiating and coaching courses and developing community clubs.
SCF supported new initiatives like the newly established EPCL, community sessions and competitions with the Baitul Futuh Mosque, London 6’s Junior Final and Elliot Davis T20 Asia Blaze.
The African Caribbean Cricket Association
The African Caribbean Cricket Association use the Kia Oval to host monthly pan-London meetings to help develop their needs as a group, with the SCF, Club Cricket Conference and ECB all offering advice.
The SCF supported the ACCA with events such as Winter coaching programme, Emancipation Cricket match, Merton Cup, Rastafari UK Movement Festival and Level Three coaching applications.
Clubmark
Clubmark re-launched in 2017 with a new online portal. ‘My Club’ offers clubs an easier process for completing their accreditation. SCF have 6 Participation Officers and Managers who have been working with the club network to support the delivery of Clubmark.
In Surrey, there were 26 Clubmark re-accreditations and we also welcomed Cranleigh, Shamley Green and Alleyns to the Clubmark family. This takes Surrey’s total number of Clubmark clubs to 87.
SCF Club Development Workshops
The SCF Clubs Conference took a year off in 2017 and was replaced by 3 seminars held at the Kia Oval, Reigate and Guildford in February and March. The events were attended by 114 delegates from 67 clubs and included presentations on key club development subjects and were attended by cricket based companies who exhibited their products and services. The Club Conference is back for 2018 and will take place on Saturday 17th March at the Kia Oval.
Coach Education
Coach Support Workers
In 2017, 232 people took part in SCF-run Coach Support Worker courses. SCF also ran more club-based CSW courses with East Moseley, Dulwich, Addiscombe, Epsom, Spencer, Reigate Priory, Farncombe, Wimbledon, Pyrford and Egham all hosting courses.
Level 2
The 2017 Level 2 coaching programme saw 157 candidates trained by the SCF across the ECB’s Certificate in Coaching Children and Coaching Young People and Adults courses. The 2018 courses are already sold out with bookings now being taken via an online system.
ECB Coaches Association – Surrey
As in previous years, we hosted the annual Coach of the Year awards at the Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards.
Our 2017 winners were:
Young coach of the Year – Henry Thorpe, Ashtead CC and Maori Oxshott CC
Outstanding Coaching Achievement – Jon Albert, Ashtead CC
Outstanding Services to Cricket Coaching – Margaret Greig, Englefield Green CC
In 2017, ECBCA Surrey continued to support the network. Club coach mentoring was delivered with two clubs (Epsom and Worcester Park) and several workshops were delivered including two sessions of Julian Wood’s Power Hitting due to high demand. In 2018, the CA plans to deliver further mentoring and workshops and offer advice to any coach or club.
OSCAs (The Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards)
The OSCAs were held at the Kia Oval on Sunday 13th August ahead of the T20 double-header.
We received 70+ nominations and guests were treated to a Q&A with Surrey’s Arun Harinath and Surrey Stars’ Bryony Smith, who also presented the awards. We received good feedback from attendees of the event.
OSCAs Winners 2017
Young Volunteer sponsored by Fieldbox – Ben Rayner, Woodmansterne CC
David Edwards Officiating Award – Howard Cohen, Surrey Association of Cricket Officials
Heartbeat of the Club sponsored by Hardys Wines – Steve Frise, Cobham Avorians CC
Get the Game On sponsored by Pitchero – Alister Gregson, Reigate Priory CC
NatWest CricketForce – David Brown, Streatham & Marlborough CC
Leagues – David Ackland, East Surrey Colts League
Lifetime Achiever - sponsored by Hamro Foundation – Alan Hardy, Brook CC
Surrey Association of Cricket Officials (SACO)
SACO ran a popular series of Introductory Courses for Umpires and Scorers across Surrey. 157 people attended the Umpiring Course and 96 attended the Scoring Courses. A total of 253 attendees was a record year for SACO.
These short courses are designed to give those who officiate for clubs, youth cricket and other matches a basic grounding in the laws and techniques they need to be competent. SACO plans to roll out a similar programme in 2018 as they continue to provide more people with the basic skills required to officiate.
SACO would like to thank all the volunteers who made this training possible, and those who appoint, mentor and assist umpires and scorers across the County. Finally, we record our thanks to the SCF for their support of our efforts.
Surrey Grounds Support Network (SGSN)
The SGSN was set up in 2017 to support the work of grounds people across Surrey. Our thanks go to the following people who form the network and help provide clubs with valuable support; John Dodwell, Jonny Nolan, Denis Bloomfield, Steve Redwood, John Vaughn- Davies, Chris Notton, Roger Tedstone, Jon Williams & Paul Stallard.
In 2017, the Groundsman’s conference saw almost 100 delegates attend a day of workshops at the Kia Oval. In addition to this, many pitch reports were prepared for clubs and the machinery hire service was well used, providing cheap rates for equipment used in renovation work. In 2018, we hope to expand the reach of the SGSN to provide further support for Surrey clubs.
Compliance & Welfare
Compliance and Welfare is headed up by County Welfare Officer, Heidi Langrish, and her deputy, Nigel Legg, who volunteer countless hours to ensure the safety and welfare of our young cricketers.
In 2017, Surrey trained 67 welfare officers on the Safe Hands Course. Carole Wright (Egham CC) also started up the Surrey Welfare Officer’s Forum aimed at bringing together Club Welfare Officers to discuss best practice.
Surrey will run two roadshows in 2018 alongside the forum to provide further training opportunities for Club Welfare Officers.
FACILITIES
Facility Development
In 2017, the SCF again delivered almost £100k in funding to Surrey clubs via the ECB Small Grants. The SCF supported 38 projects and overall, since 2014, the following funding has been delivered:
• 96 clubs supported
• £313, 780 awarded
• £437, 371 total investment
SCF also helped fund several significant facilities projects via its own funding pot. Cheam, Farncombe, Ashtead, East Molesey, Leigh and South Nutfield all benefitted from support. This amounted to approximately £40k in SCF support and plans are in place to start supporting the next tranche of clubs who require funding and technical expertise.
NatWest CricketForce
66 Surrey clubs registered for NatWest CricketForce in 2017 and these clubs also signed up for the Jewson Privilege Card from the ECB which saw them receive a ‘micro grant’ to help them prepare for the season.
Streatham and Marlborough CC were selected as ECB’s national showcase club and on Friday 31st March the club underwent a huge transformation thanks to support from club volunteers, members of Surrey CCC, ECB and other local businesses. Several projects were delivered during the event and the project manager, David Brown, was shortlisted for a national OSCA.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Women & Girls Cricket
The second year of the Women’s Kia Super League, as well as the ICC Women’s World Cup, provided a great opportunity to raise awareness of the Women and Girls game.
Our activities in 2017 have engaged with over 530 women through softball festivals and league cricket, and over 980 girls participated in SCF activity. 13 teams entered the Surrey Women’s Trust League and 8 entered the regional Women’s Cricket Southern League. We also had 51 Girls teams participating in the U9, U11 and U14 girl’s indoor leagues.
Through ECB and Chance to Shine funding, the SCF, working with the Surrey Stars, led numerous club based activities in Surrey. Activities included four Surrey Stars roadshows, a World Cup week and six insights sessions. We are looking to expand this programme further in 2018 using Kia Super League funding.
Women & Girls Day
This year’s Women & Girl’s day saw over 400 attendees at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 3rd May. Despite the cold weather everyone had a great time, with some of the girls being inspired to join their local club.
Activities included batting, bowling, fielding, mini games and a chance to play with some special guests. After the activities, participants took part in a Q&A session led by Ebony Rainford-Brent in the Long Room with Aylish Cranstone, Grace Gibbs, Naomi Dattani (all Surrey Stars) and Zafar Ansari who answered an array of questions as well as taking numerous selfies. The feedback from teachers and attendees has been brilliant.
Disability Cricket
Learning Difficulty/Physical Disability (LD/PD) County Cricket
The Surrey squad play in the BACD D40 League which includes Middlesex, Essex and Hampshire. The squad were hampered by player availability throughout the season, but plans are in place to try to recruit more players for next season.
Having started the season well, beating Middlesex by 25 runs, the rest was less successful. Apart from the match against Hampshire, the other two matches were closely contested with Surrey losing narrowly after being in a strong position. Surrey ended up finishing third.
LD/PD International Representation
Captain, Jonny Gale, Matt Browne, Taylor Young, Dan Levey and Lee Stenning all represented England in the tri-series against Australia and South Africa. England won the series with all Surrey players contributing throughout. A special mention goes to Taylor Young who finished as the leading wicket taker.
Visually–Impaired (VI) County Cricket
The Surrey VI team defended their BCEW Regional South & West T20 Cup, defeating Gloucestershire in a repeat of the 2016 final.
Asked to bat first, Turner and Fowler looked to continue their century partnership from the semi-final against Kent. The crowd witnessed a dramatic start as Fowler went first ball, shortly followed by Ahmed and Turner leaving Surrey 18-3.
However, as free hitting Kirkby joined skipper Ralph, a rebuild was required. Kirkby played a controlled innings reaching 52 from 69 with Ralph also posting a half century in a stand of 114. This helped Surrey finish on 192-6 from 20 overs.
In the 2nd innings, Turner, Kirkby and Amin spearheaded the attack and after 10 overs, restricted Gloucestershire to 63. Needing to up the run rate, Surrey pounced, with Jeffery run out for 40, Hastings going first ball caught and bowled by Ralph and then Amin capturing Gulwell for 5. Gloucestershire finished on 174 for 4, and Surrey retained their T20 title.
VI International Representation
Darren Paddick, a member of our successful VI Squad, was selected for the England Academy.
Following the England open trial earlier in the year at Edgbaston, England Head Coach, Ross Hunter, selected all-rounder Paddick to his academy and he is now pushing for his first international cap.
Darren, whose sight is in the BI category, is a right-arm bowler who is a key batsman for Surrey with the ability to steady the ship or take the game away from the opposition.
Deaf County Cricket
2017 was a disappointing season for the Deaf squad as 3 matches were called off due to a lack of available players.
However, in the first ever Deaf County Championship this summer, Surrey won both games comfortably, bowling Lancashire and Nottinghamshire out for 50 and 40 respectively and knocking off the runs in under 5 overs.
Disabilities Community Activities
Across our disability community programmes, we have engaged with 2,196 participants, 35 schools/colleges and run seven regular Lord’s Taverners Disability Cricket Championship (LTDCC) hub sites in Croydon, Kingston, Lambeth, Southwark, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth.
Kingston, Croydon and Wandsworth all qualified for the LTDCC finals day at Lords in October. At the awards evening following this event, we had three award winners. Isaac Walker (Player of the Year), Alan Siu (Coach of the Year) and Charlie Duckworth (Volunteer of the Year).
Disabilities Day
In 2017, SCF’s Disabilities Day saw a record of 600 disabled children, support staff/teachers and helpers from 35 SEN schools across Surrey and South London come to the Kia Oval on Tuesday 9th May.
A variety of fully inclusive cricket activities were delivered by SCF coaches with the support of 40 First State Investment Volunteers. Activities included batting, bowling, fielding stations. The Cricket Factory team were on the pavilion forecourt, Cage Cricket in the KBC and the Lords Taverners table cricket championship was held inside the Jardine suite, with special guest, Zafar Ansari, also in attendance.
Meanwhile on one half of the outfield, there was a VI game between Surrey VI and a ECB representative team, giving the 2016 treble winning Surrey team the chance to play at the iconic Kia Oval.
Pride of Lions Junior coaching courses
In 2017, the Pride of Lions courses continued to offer coaching opportunities for children in reception to year 11 across seven venues in Surrey and South London. 1,440 children attended our courses which included ten-week programmes before and after Christmas, holiday courses and Kia Oval based courses like Hallowed Turf. Our new booking system has improved the customer journey and we are aiming to see an increase in numbers for 2018. Alumni from the Pride of Lions Coaching Courses include Surrey CCC players, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Ryan Patel and Arun Harinath.
Communications
At the time of writing, we have 4,222 followers. The summer was a good time for the Foundation’s Twitter, regularly attracting 100+ followers a month and reaching an audience of 200k+ per month between May and August.
In 2017, the SCF launched a Facebook page (facebook.com/SurreyCricketFoundation) which at the time of writing has 229 likes and 245 follows.
Growth of our Facebook page has been steady whilst we have been uploading content to attract our target audience. We are also spending money on Facebook advertising to promote our Pride of Lions coaching courses.