World Cup Family Day opens Masters season

Leigh Cricket Club became the first club to benefit from hosting the PCA England Masters in 2019 after the team of former internationals travelled to the north-west as part of the Cricket World Cup Family Days, a nationwide initiative to engage local communities with their cricket clubs.

Leigh CC was one of over 2,500 clubs to take part in the Family Days and to host events including live music, BBQs, World Cup screenings, matches and coaching sessions. To further connect with the local community and engage youngsters, some clubs, like Cardiff Cricket Club, also held special All Stars Cricket sessions.

While the Family Days were hosted across the second weekend in June, the PCA England Masters operate throughout the summer with the aim to raise valuable funds for local cricket clubs while enhancing community spirit. Every penny raised at each matchday is recycled back into the host club with funds spent at the clubs’ discretion, but are often used to redevelop facilities, invest in coaching or support local charities.

Over £600,000 has been raised since Greene King started sponsoring the programme three years ago, with the Masters aiming to continue their aim of promoting cricket in the community and adding to substantial funds raised for recreational clubs and schools.

While rain curtailed what was shaping up to be an entertaining fixture, there was still time for former Durham wicketkeeper Phil Mustard to smash a quick-fire 59 while two-time World Cup finalist Phil DeFreitas scored an unbeaten 21 with the game ending after just 15.4 overs with the Masters on 121 for the loss of four wickets.

The Family Days initiative is part of ECB’s goal to engage one million kids in cricket this summer with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup taking place in England & Wales for the first time in 20 years. The ICC and ECB asked for clubs to get involved “to be part of something bigger.”

David Leatherdale, PCA Chief Executive said: 

“The PCA England Masters have raised over £600,000 for grassroots clubs and local schools over the past three years and 2019 has had a great start thanks to the Cricket World Cup Family Day at Leigh CC.

“The programme is part of the PCA’s commitment to support the foundation of the game. Every fixture sees clubs host the showpiece event of their summer to bring communities together and raise substantial funds while providing opportunities for former England players to remain in cricket which is a real benefit to our members.”

Matthew Hoggard, ex-England cricketer said: 

“It was great to see so many families from the community come and support their local club. It was a terrific day with all the money raised for the club.

“I’ve seen first-hand the hugely important role cricket clubs play in the community through taking part in the PCA England Masters. This weekend was a chance to showcase the great work of these clubs and their incredible volunteers.”

Katy Ritchie, ECB Head of National Programmes said: 

“This weekend has been a huge success and we are thrilled so many clubs and families have got involved to become part of something bigger.

“This is a huge summer of cricket, with England teams set to excite a nation and inspire a new generation to fall in love with the sport. It is fantastic we can expand our existing programmes like All Stars Cricket across the nation and inspire the next generation of kids – both girls and boys – to pick up a bat and ball.”

The match at Leigh CC was the first of ten fixtures for the PCA England Masters this summer.

All the revenue made from the Family Day at Leigh CC will go back into the club to help improve the facilities and coaching and to continue to grow the game.

Additionally, over 2,000 of the clubs that were involved in Family Days across England and Wales have had access to a £1,000 grant from the ECB to improve digitalisation or the catering offer within their club.

For more information on hosting the PCA England Masters click here and download the brochure.