2023 Impact Report - Somerset Cricket Foundation

WELCOME

FROM JON BENDLE, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Collectively, everyone involved in recreational cricket across Somerset in 2023 should be immensely proud of what we’ve developed and jointly achieved in the game. We’ve seen some incredible successes, and the team here at Somerset Cricket Foundation are focused on continuing this trajectory we’re on.

We’ve seen a growth in participation across the playing spectrum, whether that’s children involved with All Stars & Dynamos, junior teams within our clubs settings, the dynamic expansion of the playing offer for Women’s & Girls or indeed our older adults programme of Walking Cricketers that is thriving. There are many great examples of new and innovative delivery programmes that all have one shared outcome; to provide children, young people and adults with high quality experiences.

We continue to have an excellent working and trusted relationship with the ECB staff and Executive, and from our delivery throughout 2023 we were given ‘Leading Organisational’ status in Schools Delivery, Safeguarding, Disability Cricket and Workforce Development. This is no mean feat, and supports and reinforces the work and delivery that the Foundation team have produced throughout Somerset.

Our mission is to take cricket to all people in Somerset, making it safe, inspiring and inclusive, whilst building a continuous legacy. The community delivery team have embraced this mission and throughout 2023, and have worked with and inspired a range of communities through a number of different projects. The Maqbul Project, working with displaced people and funded by Sport England has connected communities in many ways, and the Together in Sport Programme launched in North Somerset brings older men together who may be suffering from loneliness, bereavement or isolation has been impactful and rewarding. The Walkers & Talkers project has seen a growing community coming together throughout the year to enjoy some physical activity and enjoy sporting stories from local sporting celebrities. Lastly our Disability

work that takes place with our Day Care providers in the community for adults with disabilities, taking cricket to them on a weekly basis. The impact of these examples all demonstrate 'cricket for good' and as a charity we strive to continue to increase our opportunities, improving physical & mental well-being and bringing communities together.

The collaboration and connectivity between Somerset County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Foundation is simply outstanding. Having a shared purpose to inspire, allows us to produce some incredible memories for our participants involved in cricket whether that’s players, volunteers, administrators or supporters. Gordon Hollins (SCCC CEO) has enabled this strong relationship to flourish, and I’m extremely grateful and thankful for his support of the recreational game, and wish him well as he leaves his post.

Finally, the partnerships and relationships with our wide ranging stakeholders is incredibly humbling and encouraging. We are tremendously supported by a number commercial partners, trusts and foundations, community organisations and individuals that enable the work of the Foundation to expand and thrive across the community. We seek to continue to develop authentic and trusted relationships into 2024 to ensure we grow as a charity.

Our mission is to take cricket to all people in Somerset, making it safe, inspiring and inclusive, whilst building a continuous legacy.

PAGES 6-7 & 10-11

CLUBS & LEAGUES COMPETITIONS & FESTIVALS

PAGES 8-9

WOMENS & GIRLS

PAGES 12-13

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

PAGES 14-17

DISABILITY SCHOOLS & EDUCATION

PAGES 18-19 PAGES 20-23

YOUNG PERSONS COACHING WORKFORCE & SAFEGUARDING

PAGES 26-27

PAGES 24-25

CLUBS & LEAGUE TEAMS

150 AFFILIATED CLUBS

4 SATURDAY ADULT

5 YOUTH

336

228 YOUTH TEAMS

LEAGUES

4 SUNDAY ADULT

10,703 MATCHES PLAYED

3 MIDWEEK T20

11,426 TOTAL PLAYERS

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

27% GIRLS

39% GIRLS

DISABILITY CHAMPION CLUBS

10 CHAMPION CLUBS

150 PARTICIPANTS

43 NEW IN 2023

A three tiered system for cricket clubs to engage with participants that have a disability. From running inclusive sessions, linking with local existing community groups or just promoting opportunities that exist for young people and adults to engage with disability cricket.

40 VOLUNTEERS TRAINED 25 COMPLETED INCLUSIVE COACHING

12 STUDENTS FROM YEOVIL COLLEGE COMPLETED 5 WEEKS OF COACHING

6

TEAMS

56 MATCHES PLAYED

63

3

100

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS

15 HOST CLUBS

138 TEAMS

27 FESTIVALS

58 U9 TEAMS

CHILDREN

58 U11 TEAMS

22 U11 GIRLS TEAMS

WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAD TO SAY

"It was an amazing day and an amazing opportunity for our kids to get an opportunity to showcase the skills they have learnt at training sessions throughout the summer while also having fun with their friends.

Having the chance to play at the home of Somerset CCC is an unbelievable one and that will be cherished not only by the kids but also the parents that got to see their kids playing on the same pitch that many legends have played the game." - Taunton Deane CC

"It was such a fantastic experience for the boys and girls to play at Somerset CCC (home of cricket) and play competitive yet fun cricket. A brilliant experience for the kids and they left enthused for the following season."

– Lodway CC

5

15 TACKLING

"Estimate for electricity for the full year before the solar installation was £10,000 which we were on track to hit. The 6 months from August to January represents about 40% of owur annual electricity use. So far we have saved £1,383 using what we have generated, prorating this out for the year would save us £2,305 however with the peak sunshine months of May-July still to come for the full year then I would expect the savings to increase and be in the region of £3,500-£4,000."

WOMEN & GIRLS

WOMENS HIGOS 100

NEW FOR 2023...

PLAYERS 60

GIRLS

TEAMS 3

"What a great first experience of hardball cricket! It was great to join with a group of women that loved the game too."

GIRLS REGISTERED FOR

130 HUBS ACROSS SOMERSET

“It’s a fun way to play a sport that I love with teams that I love, a place where I can forget about what's going on in the world and focus on my game and skills”.

GIRLS ATTENDED FIVE

151 MASTERCLASSES

WHAT THE GIRLS HAD TO SAY

“I can play cricket all year round with the hubs and really enjoy meeting other players from other teams."

134

PARTICIPANTS

WALKING CRICKET

35% WOMEN

6 HUBS

70

AVERAGE AGE

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS

After the first session I was hooked - it became a way of getting fitter with a great bunch of people, great banter, and support. We now play competitively against other hubs, look very much the part in our named strip with our logo on it. It has opened a social avenue for me in that we celebrated Christmas at our local curry house and there is always someone to go on a bike ride with!

I had got out of the habit of socialising and exercising. This has changed that. The friendliness of the other members helped and the variety of abilities made such a difference. I've always been a duffer at sport, and my physical shape puts me off using a gym but here it really doesn't matter. No one laughs if you 'mess up' but are so encouraging.

TOGETHER IN SPORT

WITH REMINISENCE LEARNING

Funded by Sports England’s Together Fund, the programme exsists to promote social interaction and physical activity to tackle dementia, depression and loneliness with a weekly meet up including a coffee, chat, games and a walk around the Cooper Associates County Ground.

PARTICIPANTS SAID...

"We love coming to the group. It's one of my highlights as it gets me out the house and allows me to speak to other people going through similar situations."

"We enjoy attending every week and look forward to the stroll around the ground as well as all the other activities."

STREET CRICKET

WALKERS & TALKERS

A free monthly event at the Cooper Associates County Ground that helps increase connections and reduce social isolation in local communities. These monthly events comprise of a complimentary coffee, a gentle stroll around the ground, and a one-hour Q&A with a sporting legend.

200 ENQUIRIES 160 UNIQUE ATTENDEES

42% SAID THAT THEY OFTEN FEEL LEFT ISOLATED FROM OTHERS 35% SAID THEY FEEL LONELY SOME OF THE TIME 1/3

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS COMPLETED BY NUFFIELD HEALTH 102

125 MALE FEMALE

65 SESSIONS 15

SAID THEY DO NOT FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY 87%

THE MAIN REASON FOR JOINING MEETING PEOPLE & FOR EXERCISE

FEEL HAPPIER AFTER THE SESSION 85%

FEEL PART OF A COMMUNITY AFTER THE SESSION

THE OVERWHELMING FEELING AFTER LEAVING A WALKERS AND TALKERS SESSION IS THAT INDIVIDUALS FEEL MORE INCLUDED IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

SUPER 1s

Super 1s gives young people with a disability aged 12-25 the chance to play regular competitive cricket while providing them with a chance to realise their potential, both on and off the pitch.

7 LOCATIONS

My daughter has never made friends easily, although everyone loves her! It's wonderful to see her a part of something and interacting with her peers.

It's

Also, with myself interacting with

SOMERSET VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEAM

REGISTERED PLAYERS

PLAYER FEEDBACK

Friendly people, good company and banter. We all expect the best of each other and all have high standards.

It's great playing for the County I reside in. Really friendly team. Playing a game we all love and trying to reach the pinnacle of the game. Supporting each other and making new friends. Encouraging and improving the growth of the VI game.

DISCOVERY FUND

To expand their seven disability hubs around the county, run healthy eating sessions, develop Somerset’s disability and visually impaired cricket teams, and pay for a disability development officer.

SOMERSET DISABLED CC

REGISTERED PLAYERS

PARENTS FEEDBACK

The impact of SDCC on our lives has been immense . For Connor it has opened many doors for his future. He has only been a part of the club for 4/5 years but the team are our extended family. His confidence, determination and passion for cricket (and outside of cricket) is fuelled by the knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement of other members of the team, be that players, coaches or other parent/carers. It has changed his life.

PLAYER FEEDBACK

I have always struggled to play sports growing up, but when we moved to Somerset, I decided I wanted to start playing cricket but felt that I would not be able to handle mainstream cricket, but then I found out about SDCC. I have both learning and physical disabilities but I have loved every minute of it. There is still a place for anyone who loves cricket to come along and play their hearts out.

Before I had my accident didn't play much cricket but then my life changed. I thought I wouldn't be able to play any sport and went to a very dark place. Then I found SDCC and my life changed for the good. The Club really did save my life and I can't thank you enough for that.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

125 SCHOOLS

2,171

10,519

CHILDREN

95% SAID THEY ENJOYED THE COACHING SESSION

“An inclusive and engaging experience for all our children. Every child had a chance to shine and make progress.”

Staplegrove Primary, Taunton

9 FESTIVALS

“Josie was a fantastic coach. She provided engaging and well paced lessons. The children always looked forward to her lessons.”

Banwell Primary, North Somerset WHAT SCHOOLS HAD TO SAY

17 REGIONAL PRIMARY FESTIVALS PRIMARY COMPETITIONS

3

137 YOUNG LEADERS

146

803

CHILDREN

1,389 KNOWLE PARK PRIMARY

839

HOURS COACHED

20 SCHOOLS

291

3,148 GIRLS BOYS 1,565 LEADERS TRAINED

WHAT SCHOOLS HAD TO SAY

“The Chance to Shine Programme worked perfectly in tandem with our ambitions and without it we wouldn’t have the number of girls playing cricket that we currently have.”

St Katherines School, North Somerset

78

BOYS TEAMS

ASHTON PARK SCHOOL, BRISTOL

U12 OUTDOOR

KINGSMEAD SCHOOL, WIVELISCOMBE

U15 OUTDOOR

HAYGROVE SCHOOL, BRIDGWATER

U13 INDOOR

THE CASTLE SCHOOL, TAUNTON

U15 INDOOR

“The sessions were active, fun, engaging, allowed the girls to develop skills and left them wanting more.”

Ashton Park School, Bristol

79 GIRLS TEAMS

HOLYROOD ACADEMY CHARD U13 OUTDOOR CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER U15 OUTDOOR

HAZLEGROVE PREP, NR YEOVIL

U13 INDOOR TAUNTON SCHOOL

U15 INDOOR

STATE SCHOOL HARDBALL COMPETITION

NEW FOR 2023 | 2 COMPETITIONS

27 TEAMS

SECONDARY COMPETITIONS THE CASTLE SCHOOL U15 CHAMPIONS

39 MATCHES

CHURCHILL ACADEMY U13 CHAMPIONS

SCHOOLS DAYS

Affiliated schools can bring up to 50 students and staff to watch a Somerset Mens or Western Storm game. There are activation zones where pupils can put their skills to the test, a treasure hunt around the ground, face painting and a teacher catching challenge to keep pupils engaged.

118 SCHOOLS

4 SCHOOLS DAYS

4,101 TEACHERS & PUPILS

“Thank you for an incredible day. Our children were buzzing and had a fantastic time. The whole day hugely exceeded my expectations and you have inspired a new group of fans.” St Andrew’s Primary, Chardstock

10 SCHOOLS

NEW FOR 2023

530 CHILDREN

The STUMPY programmes aim is to support schools personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum. It utilises experiences of players from Somerset CCC and Western Storm to give children confidence to be themselves by supporting and developing their strength, resilience, teamworking, motivation and problem solving as well as helping them to understand more about themselves and what makes them unique.

WHAT SCHOOLS HAD TO SAY

“The resources and activities were great. It supports our PSHE curriculum really well.”

St Anne’s Primary, Weston-super-Mare

“The programme was really strong, aligned closely to our PSHE programme and was an excellent addition to it.” Milford Junior School, Yeovil

15

SEN SCHOOLS

14

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

293 HOURS OF DELIVERY

1,035 CHILDREN

160

TEACHERS TRAINED

500+

TEACHERS SUPPORTED IN LESSONS

TEACHERS FELT CONFIDENT IN DELIVERING CRICKET LESSONS 6/10 BEFORE 9/10 AFTER

WHAT SCHOOLS HAD TO SAY

"Giving our SEN children a chance to play cricket has built up teamwork and developed their communication skills as well as given them a sense of achievement that they would not get in mainstream education."

MINI CRICKETS

FOR SCHOOL YEARS ONE & TWO 2 COURSES

CHILDREN

Thanks for the last 5 weeks of fun, Carlo loved it!

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

WHAT PARENTS HAD TO SAY

"The coaches were excellent and James couldn’t wait for every session. They were not only excellent at developing the children, they were good people as well… kind and caring."

161 CHILDREN

"Brilliant opportunity for children. My sons skills and confidence have really improved."

"It’s done him the world of good! Thank you so much for providing this opportunity for him. As a parent, it was a joy to watch the sessions."

CHILDREN FROM SCHOOLS YEARS 2-8

CHILDREN FROM 8-18 YEARS OLD

HUISH COLLEGE ACADEMY

Offering 16 to 18-year-olds the opportunity to combine studies with a personalised cricket development programme at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. Players are provided with a structured programme of practical coaching, sports science support and fitness alongside an academic education at the highly regarded Richard Huish College.

SAFEGUARDING

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY.

With a full-time safeguarding resource in place the Foundation have made a significant impact in embedding a safeguarding culture throughout the organisation and wider cricketing network. We feel that one of the biggest drivers of activity for cricketers is enjoyment. Our aim is to listen and involve our cricketers in decision making to promote safe and enjoyable experiences. To support this, we have implemented a Listening in Cricket strategy and Action Plan to develop and embed a ‘listening culture’ within the Foundation and throughout the wider cricket network. Alongside the pro-active work and support for our clubs, we have seen a rise in the standards of the safeguarding provision at a local level, making cricket a safer, more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

82

CSOS QUALIFIED ACROSS 5 COUNTYWIDE SAFE HANDS WORKSHOPS

6 LISTENING IN CRICKET INTERVENTIONS

30

CSOS ATTENDED OUR PRE-SEASON SAFEGUARDING CLINIC 50

CLUB ADMINS ATTENDED OUR SHMS TRAINING

6

CSOS NOMINATED FOR RECOGNITION AT THE FOUNDATION CRICKET COLLECTIVE AWARDS

40 CLUBS SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED CLUBMARK

LOW LEVEL CONCERNS

81% OF AFFILIATED CLUBS ENROLLED ON SHMS

70% PROACTIVE

KEY: CSO (Club Safeguarding Officer) SHMS (Safe Hands Mangement System)

THANKS TO THE VIGILANCE OF OUR NETWORK AND STAFF...

BRIAN HOYLE, SAFEGUARDING MANAGER

"We all have a duty of care to provide an environment where cricket can be fun, enjoyable and safe. We are committed to meeting and exceeding minimum safeguarding standards throughout the recreational game."

INCREASE FROM 2023 IN LOW LEVEL CONCERNS REPORTED FROM INTERNAL FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES

HOW TO SUPPORT US

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER NETWORK

We are generously supported by a network of volunteers who give up their time to improve the lives of individuals, their clubs and wider communities.

MAKE A DONATION

The generosity of our supporters enables us to develop and deliver engaging outreach programmes in our local communities and schools.

BECOME A FOUNDATION PARTNER

To expand the Foundations activities and programmes, we're keen to explore and develop links and relationships with local partners that share similar values to us. To learn more, please get in touch.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact us on: info@somersetcricketfoundation.org (01823) 352 266 www.somersetcricketfoundation.org

Registered Charity No. 1194363