Youngsters get close to top Trophy
THE ICC Cricket World Cup has visited Coventry as part of its global Trophy Tour, which is currently running across the United Kingdom ahead of the tournament start at The Oval in London on May 30.
Children from local cricket clubs and schools had an opportunity to get close to the biggest prize in the game at the opening of a new fivebay cricket net facility at Edgwick Park and the installation of a further seven non-turf pitches at public parks in Coventry.
Their purpose is to provide informal playing opportunities for the growing numbers of Coventry’s cricket-loving population in highly urbanised areas.
The new facilities have been funded by the England & Wales Cricket Board and will be managed by Positive Youth Foundation (PYF) with support from Coventry City Council, Warwickshire Cricket Board and Coventry Solihull & Warwickshire Sport (CSW Sport).
In turn, PYF has appointed Coventry’s first cricket development officer, Leron Baker, who will deliver cricket tournaments and new playing opportunities on the non-turf pitches as well as leading other projects in the city.
Ed McCabe, general manager at Warwickshire Cricket Board, said: “Coventry has unfortunately lost a lot of cricket grounds in the last 20 years and this new project is an attempt to address that issue by providing new opportunities for lapsed cricket enthusiasts, but also to introduce thousands of new people to the game. Positive Youth Foundation can access key communities in a way that Warwickshire Cricket Board simply can’t and we are grateful to the organisation for seizing the initiative on this project, alongside the support of Coventry City Council and CSW Sport.
“It’s fantastic that we are able to mark the launch of these new facilities by bringing in the most prestigious trophy in men’s cricket, which we hope can inspire many of the youngsters here to get involved in the game and cheer on England.” Following the launch at Edgwick Park on Sunday, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy moved on to Broadgate Shopping Centre as part of a public cricket skills session.
Warwickshire’s Edgbaston Stadium will host five matches in the ICC Champions Trophy, including a semi-final.