Former England Captain Nasser Hussain OBE Launches “Clubs in Need” Programme to Revive Cricket Clubs and Empower Youth

Cricket transcends sport, and cricket clubs are its heart, especially in inner cities, where support is essential to keep the game thriving and to attract more young enthusiasts. This was the central theme of yesterday’s launch of the “Clubs in Need” initiative by former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain OBE, who also serves as the President of Capital Kids Cricket (CKC). The groundbreaking “Clubs in Need” initiative was introduced at the Leyton County Cricket Ground, followed by an evening event where Nasser Hussain engaged with invited guests, discussing “Clubs in Need” and the incredible summer of cricket. This transformative programme aims to rejuvenate struggling cricket clubs while bridging the gap in transitioning young cricketers from soft ball to hard ball cricket, addressing critical community challenges.

The evening event at Guildhall was hosted by City of London Corporation’s Councilman Munsur Ali, who also chairs the Culture, Heritage, and Library committee. Kalyan Kumar (KK), Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CKC, expressed gratitude to Munsur Ali and the City of London for hosting the event. KK also extended his thanks to all the attendees and especially Nasser Hussain for sparing his time for CKC. Joining Nasser Hussain was fellow trustee John Barclay, currently with Sussex County Cricket Club, former President of MCC, and renowned journalist Scyld Berry of The Telegraph, who has covered more England Test matches than any cricket writer, nearly 500 of them, including over 20 Ashes series. The event was truly remarkable, and we encourage you to stay tuned to CKC’s media channels for Q&A sessions and more.

Speaking about “Clubs in Need” and CKC, KK mentioned, “If we continue to inspire young people, cricket will be in a better place. The key aspect of this programme, the transition from softball to hardball, will help sustain many clubs. As individuals, we need to do our part, echoing Haydn Turner, founder trustee of CKC, and not wait for major funders. CKC has been operating for 35 years, and with support from individuals and corporates, we can do more to inspire generations to come.”

Cricket clubs play a pivotal role in nurturing future talent and fostering healthy communities. However, many of these clubs are facing severe challenges, including declining engagement, volunteer shortages, limited parental involvement, weak school connections, and the looming threat of collapse. The “Clubs in Need” project takes a significant step towards revitalizing these clubs and providing essential support during the crucial transition phase for both young boys and girls.

Nasser Hussain OBE expressed his passion for this initiative, stating, “As a cricket community, we all need to come together alongside the ECB, County Boards, funders, local authorities, and support each other. Lots of good work has already been done, but more needs to be accomplished.”

Shahidul Alam Ratan, CEO of Capital Kids Cricket, emphasized the importance of inclusivity, saying, “The game is missing out on many young talents from cricket clubs, particularly those from ethnically diverse communities. It’s time to step up and do something about it.”

The programme launch event at Leyton was attended by enthusiastic schoolchildren and club junior members. Nasser Hussain actively engaged with them, participating in a cricket session.

Numerous cricket clubs have expressed their interest in joining the programme. Currently, CKC is collaborating with county boards to ensure that the most deprived clubs receive vital support as soon as possible.

“Clubs in Need” will provide tailored assistance to each club, focusing on various key aspects, including:

• Establishing strong links with local schools, communities, and local authorities.
• Increasing women and girls’ participation.
• Recruiting volunteers and mentoring coaches.
• Assisting with club coaching and organizing holiday camps.
• Offering logistical support for away games when possible.
• Promoting clubs within schools, community groups, social media, flyers, websites, newsletters, and local media.

One of the critical challenges addressed by the programme is the difficulty some clubs face in retaining members due to logistical issues leading to match cancellations and missed competitive opportunities. The “Clubs in Need” initiative will also focus on addressing the knowledge gap preventing clubs from accessing available funding.

Furthermore, the programme will work to strengthen networks that support club committees and key personnel by leveraging local knowledge in collaboration with local authorities, county boards, schools, and community groups.

For additional information about the “Clubs in Need” programme, please contact:

Md. Shahidul Alam Ratan Chief Executive Officer, Capital Kids Cricket, Email: shahidul.alam@ckc.london

Join us in reviving cricket clubs, empowering youth, and building stronger communities!