Volume 2
Welcome…
Wasim Khan,
Chief Executive,
Cricket Foundation
I often get asked the question: “When will
Chance to Shine produce its first England
player?” With the sheer number of children
we’re reaching every year, I think the likelihood
of one or more of them going on to play at a
senior level is high. And I would be the first to
celebrate their success. But you only have to
read the stories in this booklet to realise that the
impact of Chance to Shine is so much wider
than pure success on the playing fields. From
channelling children’s aggression and creating
calmer classrooms to instilling good behaviour
and sportsmanship at an early age, our
coaches are using cricket as a positive force
in playgrounds across the country. So until that
day when the first Chance to Shine graduate
walks down the famous steps of the Pavilion
at Lord’s and we applaud him or her, let’s take
the time to celebrate the success stories taking
place today, every day, in hundreds of our
Chance to Shine schools.
CONTENTS
Hague Primary
– A School’s Story
04
More Than Just Cricket
– Pupil Stories
06
Ones To Look Out For
– Player Stories
10
The Willows Primary
– A School’s Story
14
Arron Hayes
– A Pupil’s Story
16
Ridge View Primary
– A School’s Story
18
Coach Stories
20
How to Support – Chance to Shine
Guardianship Scheme
22
Proudly
delivered by
2
indicates a video case study at
youtube.com/chancetoshinecricket
3
A School’s Story
HELALI’s STORY
Helali, 10, lacked confidence in the classroom
and was generally disengaged at school.
His teachers described him as “a low
achiever”. However, he discovered he was a
talented batsman. Head teacher Judy Coles
encouraged him to attend extra-curricular
sessions at Victoria Park CC and the impact
was evident. “Helali is noticeably more selfconfident and makes much more of an effort
to get on and finish his work,” says Judy, “It’s
the polar opposite to this time last year”.
4
HAGUE
Primary
SCHOOL
Hague Primary is in an underprivileged
area of Tower Hamlets in East London
where green space is scarce and
playing fields even scarcer. But necessity
is the mother of invention. Against the
backdrop of City skyscrapers, pupils play
cricket at breaktime on the rooftop of
one of the school buildings. There are
even cricket nets installed to stop tennis
balls flying onto the streets of Bethnal
Green below.
Head teacher Judy Coles is the driving
force behind cricket in the inner-city
school and embraced Chance to Shine
when it launched in 2005. She helped
forge strong links between the school and
local Victoria Park Cricket Club, where
a number of children regularly attend
Saturday training. “We pay for the children
to attend as long as their parents commit
“Cricket has become
part of the school’s
and my life”
Judy Coles, Head teacher, Hague Primary
to taking them there,” explains Judy, ”It
gives them a chance to mix with other
children in the community from different
backgrounds.”
The school has a large Bangladeshi
population and cricket plays a significant
role in helping pupils for whom English is a
second language fit in. “We’ve had three
Year 6 boys join us in the last two years,
newly arrived from overseas who spoke
little English”, says the head. “Playing
cricket was their way of integrating and
becoming part of the school.”
Chance to Shine funding may have
finished but cricket is very much alive at
Hague. And according to Judy, who’s
passed her Level 1 and 2 coaching
awards, “cricket has become part of the
school’s and my life”.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine SCHOOL Guardian see page 22-23
5
More than
just cricket
PUPIL STORIES*
*Pupil names
have been
changed
to protect
anonymity.
Images are
unrelated
to the case
studies
6
Tom’s story
Karin’s story
Sean’s story
Tom, 8, is from a single-parent family
and has very limited opportunities
outside of school. His emotional and
behavioural issues would cause him
to get frustrated and quickly lose his
temper. He was often aggressive
towards his mother, other pupils and
members of staff. Before Chance
to Shine came to his school Tom
disliked PE. Now he regularly joins
in cricket sessions and his teachers
have witnessed a turnaround in his
behaviour. The discipline of playing
cricket has made Tom more patient
with his peers, his confidence has
improved in class and his all-round
attitude has improved.
When Karin’s mum left home it had a
noticeable effect on her behaviour.
She told her teacher that she felt
isolated and that she didn’t fit in with
the class. Due to her circumstances
she was prone to organising others
but, as a result, her classmates
found her bossy. Through her weekly
cricket lessons Karin, 8, was able to
develop the teamwork and social
skills that she needed. These skills
continued to develop and she has
made friends and now feels par t of
her class.
Sean, 10, would always tr y and get
out of his PE lessons by misbehaving,
saying he didn’t feel well, or
pretending he’d forgotten his kit.
When a Chance to Shine coach
came into his school, however, Sean
immediately star ted showing an
interest and enjoyed playing cricket.
He’s never once complained or tried
to get out of PE since and, what’s
more, he now takes par t in his first
ever extra-curricular activity: cricket
sessions at his local club.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine Player Guardian see page 22-23
7
More than
just cricket
PUPIL STORIES*
*Pupil names have been changed to
protect anonymity. Images are unrelated
to the case studies
8
Michael’s story
Charlotte’s story
Michael, 11, was ver y talented
in all aspects of spor t but his
interpersonal and teamwork skills
were poor. He became obsessed
with winning and his behaviour
became so challenging that he
required help from an outside
agency. Chance to Shine cricket
sessions helped to change
Michael’s attitude by allowing
him to take on the captain’s role.
He enjoyed leading his team
and suppor ting his teammates;
explaining to them what to do,
where to stand, how to score
and generally offering them
encouragement.
Charlotte, 10, has moderate learning
difficulties but attends a mainstream
primar y school. She always achieves
lower grades than her peers in
the classroom and requires oneto-one suppor t. She discovered
she was quite a talented cricketer,
demonstrating good skills and coordination during the Chance to
Shine sessions. She thrived during
these sessions and as her abilities
increased so too did her confidence.
Cricket gave Charlotte the chance
to be one of the better players in the
group without any additional suppor t,
gaining the respect and admiration
of her peers.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine project Guardian see page 22-23
9
ones to
look out for
PLAYER STORIES
Chance to Shine is not fundamentally
about finding the next Alastair Cook
or Charlotte Edwards but, inevitably,
a scheme reaching thousands of boys
and girls every year is unearthing some
naturally gifted cricketers. Here are a
few youngsters that have caught the eye
of county talent-spotters:
10
Barney Gibson, 17
Ryan Macciocchi, 16
Barney is undoubtedly the most successful
Chance to Shine alumnus to date. He
became the youngest ever first-class
cricketer in England when he made his
Yorkshire debut in 2011. Barney attended
Crawshaw Secondary School in Leeds where
he received Chance to Shine coaching in
Year 7. Although he was already well on the
road to success prior to Chance to Shine he
is keen for others to benefit from the scheme:
“Some will play for enjoyment, others will go
on to play at a higher level, but just having
that chance to play at school is great for the
game.”
Ryan was always a sporty child and
played back-garden cricket when he was
growing up, but it was only after Chance
to Shine visited his primary school that he
developed his love for the game. As a
member of Tynemouth Cricket Club, part
of Chance to Shine, Ryan has shown real
promise: he’s captained the Tynemouth
junior sides since the age of nine and
played for Durham Junior Academy
last year. Ryan hit the headlines in 2011
when he took 9-46 in a North East Premier
League game.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine Player Guardian see page 22-23
11
Becky Cole, 13
Hannah Free, 13
Jade Hoyte, 12
Close friends Becky, Hannah and Jade first learnt to
play cricket two years ago when they received Chance
to Shine coaching at their primar y school. The girls
now all attend Attleborough High School where they still
receive coaching through the programme. They ’ve just
received the news of their selection into the Norfolk U13
squad. Becky says, “I was so excited, I couldn’t believe
it. No one in my family plays cricket.” Jade adds, “I
was in shock, but I was proud of myself ”, while Hannah
describes her ambitions, saying, “I’d love to play for
England, but for now I’m just so happy to be selected
for the county team.”
Joe Arnold, 17 • Lucy Arnold, 15
“Chance to Shine has
worked for my children as
they have progressed from
school to club to county”
Murray Arnold, Joe and Lucy’s dad
12
Brother and sister Joe and Lucy Arnold
weren’t from a cricketing family and hadn’t
experienced the game before. But that all
changed in 2007. They both star ted playing
at Wor field Endowed Primar y School, as Lucy
explains: “When Chance to Shine came into
our primar y school it made us want to join our
local cricket club.” At the time Lucy was eight
and Joe was 10. Seven years later Lucy, a
top-order batter and leg spin bowler, is now in
the Shropshire U15s and last season was the
youngest female to play for Shropshire Women.
Joe, a lef t-arm spinner, became the youngest
member of Wor field CC’s 1st XI aged 13 and
now plays in Shropshire U17s.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine Player Guardian see page 22-23
13
“They had
never played
cricket before.
They only
ever wanted to
play football”
Richard Swingler,
teacher
THE WILLOWS
Primary
A School’s Story
The Willows Primary School is located in
Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester – one of the
largest council housing estates in Britain. The
percentage of children on free school meals at
the school is well above the national average.
The area is described by teacher Richard Swingler
as “challenging” and a hotbed of football. Before
Chance to Shine arrived at The Willows a year
ago, the children didn’t know much about cricket.
“They had never played it before. They only ever
wanted to play football,” Richard explains.
“We had a group of girls who were completely
disengaged in PE but once the Chance to
Shine coach from Lancashire County Cricket
14
Board came in and star ted delivering cricket
in their PE lessons, the girls star ted developing
a love for cricket and now attend the af terschool cricket club.”
Turn over to read The Willows
pupil Arron Hayes’ story
One of the girls, Leah, 10, says, “I used to think
cricket was boring and dull but since we’ve
star ted getting cricket coaching it’s actually
really fun. Cricket is my favourite spor t now.”
In the space of a year, cricket has become
not just par t of the curriculum at The Willows,
but also par t of the culture. Now the children
even choose to play cricket at break and
lunchtimes; something unthinkable even a
year ago.
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine TEAM Guardian see page 22-23
15
15
ARRON HAYES
A PUPIL’S STORy
Arron, 10, used to struggle at school.
His written work was well below
average and he had severe difficulty
with spelling and forming letters.
He was over weight and his mother
aler ted the school to his violent
behaviour at home towards herself,
his dad and his younger sister. Action
was needed.
cricket as an after-school activity,
he was argumentative and lazy; just
your general naughty boy really. But
now he’s let his frustrations come
out in his cricket. Arron has a lot
more energy, he’s a lot friendlier,
happier within himself and a lot
more helpful. He’s just a nicer boy
all-round.” Teachers at The Willows Primar y (see
previous page) tried to encourage
him to become par t of the spor ts
club at school, but Arron resisted
fearing he would miss out on time
with his computer consoles and TV.
Reluctantly, he joined the Chance to
Shine after-school cricket club.
Arron now enjoys and looks for ward
to cricket sessions. He’s lost weight
and is a lot less frustrated with
his school work; which has also
improved.
Since then, his mum has seen the
difference in her son. “Before he did
16
Asked why he continues to attend
af ter-school cricket, Ar ron says, “It’s
fun. It keeps you fit and healthy
and makes you happy. I just really
enjoy myself.”
“Arron has a lot more
energy, he’s a lot friendlier,
happier within himself and
a lot more helpful. He’s just
a nicer boy all-round”
Arron’s mum, Stacey
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine PLAYER Guardian see page 22-23
17
RIDGE VIEW
Primary
A School’s Story
The children’s faces light up when
Chance to Shine coach Alex Farmer
turns up at Ridge View School in
Tonbridge, Kent. They knock on the
window to get his attention as he
walks past and call out his name.
Ridge View is a special needs school
which caters for children who have
severe learning difficulties.
Alex, who works for the Kent County
Board helping to deliver Chance to
Shine across the county, is responsible
for ensuring that cricket is more inclusive
in all communities. Regular disability
cricket sessions take place for those
with learning disabilities such as autism,
ADHD and also visual impairments.
18
Over 2,500 children with disabilities in
Kent take part in the Chance to Shine
programme in schools.
The positive impact of cricket on the
children at Ridge View is clear. One
boy had a serious issue with sharing
but after taking par t in Chance to
Shine sessions his empathy for his
classmates greatly improved and he
was soon voluntarily handing over
the cricket bat with a smile on his
face. Becky, a pupil at the school,
says, “I like playing with my friends.
They all smile.” Her classmate,
James, adds, “It’s been excellent.
There are a lot of things we’ve learnt
through cricket.”
“I like playing with
my friends. They all
smile”
Becky, pupil, Ridge View
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine CLASS Guardian see page 22-23
19
REBECCA
JENNY
AYTON
GUNN
A COACH’S STORy
Six years ago, Chance to Shine coach
Rebecca Ayton was delivering cricket sessions
in a tough North Tyneside school. Over threequarters of pupils received free school meals
and many had behavioural special needs. A
mass brawl between a Year 5 class broke out
and Rebecca was caught by a stray kick that
ruptured her kidney and put her in hospital.
Despite being advised not to coach in the
school again, Rebecca was determined not
to let down her students, as she explains:
“There was one boy who stood away from
the brawl which typically he would have got
involved in. He said, ‘It doesn’t matter what
I do, Bex, someone messes it up for me’.
After hearing that, there was no way I could
withdraw from the school.”
20
A COACHING AMBASSADOR’s STORy
Trained as a sports psychologist, Rebecca
decided that the best way to return after the
incident was to hold a lesson on the “Spirit of
Cricket”.
She asked the students to think about how
to make a person who loses a game feel
better. Rebecca then took their suggestions
away and printed them onto flash cards.
From then on, after each game the winning
team were each given a flash card and
had to go to a member of the losing team,
shake hands and say what was written on
the card.
“Although the children treated it as a bit of a
joke, it eventually became a natural process
and the cards were no longer needed,”
says Rebecca, ”They became a completely
different group. Cricket taught them life skills.”
Chance to Shine Coaching
Ambassador and England
allrounder Jenny Gunn visits
schools, clubs and county
squads all over the Midlands
and the North of England.
“Jenny has been a great
inspiration to me. We’ve had an
insight into what it takes to get
to the top. Not from a coach
or manager, but someone who
has achieved it.”
She says, “It’s fantastic to be
able to coach and inspire so
many children. Each week we
go to a different county and
get to inspire boys and girls in
schools and clubs. It means we
can reach more children and
have a greater impact than we
used to.”
Jenny brims with pride on
hearing the impact she’s able
to make on young cricketers.
“There are some really talented
female cricketers who now
have a pathway in place to go
from club cricketer to England
player, something that wasn’t
around when I was younger. To
see children smile because of
my coaching is so rewarding. It
makes it all so worthwhile.”
Lancashire U17 girls’ team
member, Bhum, 16, says,
To find out how you could become a Chance to Shine county Guardian see page 22-23
21
PROJECT Guardian
How to
Support
Chance to Shine
Guardianship Scheme
Become a Chance to Shine Guardian today
and you will give children in state schools the
opportunity to take part in cricket and, more
importantly, to develop key life skills and values.
To become a Guardian or to
find out further details of the
benefits received at each level
please contact our fundraising
team on 020 7432 1259
22
£7,000 a year
Your Guardianship will support a Chance to Shine
project, enabling children from a number of
schools to access quality cricket coaching and
competition through a local cricket club.
Player Guardian
£2.50 a month
Your Guardianship will help ensure the
programme’s continuation, enabling
children to play cricket in state schools
for years to come.
Class Guardian
£30 a month
Your Guardianship will help to give
classes of children the opportunity
to enjoy cricket – building essential
leadership skills.
School
Guardian
Team Guardian
£15 a month
Your Guardianship will help to
ensure children are able to
take part in projects – building
essential teamwork skills.
£1,000 a year
Your Guardianship
will support a schoolclub link, providing
a six week curricular
and extracurricular
coaching programme,
kit and equipment,
intra- and inter-school
competition and
teacher training in one
school.
County Guardian
£30,000 a year
Your Guardianship will help support Chance to
Shine activity in a particular County throughout
the year. You can choose to adopt a County of
your choice.
23
“Please help keep cricket alive in our school!”
Chance to Shine would not be possible without the generous
support of:
For ways to support visit
chancetoshine.org
Follow us at
PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATION
...and all the other companies, individuals and trusts and
foundations who support Chance to Shine
facebook.com/cricketinschools
@Chance2Shine
youtube.com/chancetoshinecricket
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charity, number 1123385