Urban Cricket- Grassroots Project
npower Urban Cricket, a grassroots project run in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was launched in 2006 with one clear goal – to get more children playing cricket. Since its launch in 2006, npower and the ECB have distributed over 70,000 Urban Cricket kits to children in the UK.
The recent focus for Urban Cricket has shifted to the development of five facilities each surrounded by five Urban Cricket zones in local school playgrounds. The first facility was opened by Monty Panesar in South London in August 2007. Ryan Sidebottom opened the second facility in Sheffield in April 2008 with the third facility being opened by Ian Bell and James Anderson in Birmingham in August 2008.
To celebrate the start of an amazing summer of cricket we opened 2 more brand new Urban Cricket facilities in Nottingham and Manchester.
England bowling sensation Stuart Broad and his father, ex England cricketer Chris, joined in the fun opening our fourth facility in King Edward Park, Nottingham whilst Graeme Swann and Ravi Bopara came to Manchester, still elated after England's recent npower Test Series win over the West Indies, to open the facility on Bignor Street Playing Fields.
Throughout the summer we teamed up with local schools and revisited the London and Birmingham Urban Cricket Arenas for special Ashes events including coaching master classes with Ashes Winners Ravi Bopara, James Anderson and England Women’s captain Charlotte Edwards.
And we’re not stopping there! 2010 will see yet more Urban Cricket activity as we continue to help kids get involved in cricket throughout the country! Keep your eyes peeled for details later in the year
Urban Cricket Crew
Urban Cricket Crew is a joint project between the ECB and npower, which encourages children to learn about cricket and promotes active participation in sport.
Urban Cricket Crew
"npower has been a fantastic supporter of English cricket from playgrounds right to the top of the sport. I was lucky enough to get along to an Urban Cricket event and saw the real difference an active sponsor in this sport can make. It’s investment like this that makes England’s recent successes possible – long may it continue!"
Monty Panesar, England spin sensation
"As a local lad it's fantastic to see initiatives such as npower Urban Cricket giving youngsters the chance to get out there and play the game. It’s going to make a real difference to the local community and will hopefully produce more first class cricketers from the Birmingham area."
Ian Bell, England and Warwickshire
