The PCA support a number of community initiatives across the country through PCA Ambassador and England player appearances. The players add prestige and profile to the event, allowing greater engagement and enjoyment for the young people participating, and a greater media awareness and value for sponsors.
Schemes supported include:
Chance to Shine – launched in 2005, the scheme aims to bring competitive cricket and its educational benefits to at least a third of the country’s state schools. PCA ambassadors and the England Team support the National Cricket Day as well as a number of coaching and fundraising events throughout the year.
Asda Kwik Cricket – a fun and simple introduction to cricket, the national Under-11 competition is the largest sports tournament of its age group in the UK. PCA Ambassadors attend a number of county and regional finals to lend support to the programme, with England players supporting the national launch and finals day.
NatWest Cricket Force – this programme is set up to encourage local communities to work together in upgrading their local cricket club facilities, with a weekend of nationwide activity, bringing communities and players together at cricket clubs. England players help out with the three focus clubs of the weekend, from painting clubhouses to rebuilding sightscreens.
MCC Spirit of Cricket – PCA Ambassadors attend a number of school assemblies each year to introduce the key MCC Spirit of Cricket messages through a range of online and DVD resources.
Asda Team England Community Days – taking place in the build up to international matches, young fans meet their England heroes, receive expert coaching and learn about becoming a world-class cricketer.
