School taking its Chance to Shine at game
DURHAM Cricket’s work with Lanchester EP Primary School has been featured in the 2020 Chance to Shine Impact Report, detailing the charity’s work.
Lanchester Primary’s cricket journey is included as one of ten case studies outlining stories of children, schools and clubs who have benefitted through Chance to Shine’s programmes in the previous academic year.
The school worked closely with Durham Cricket’s Development Officer Phil Mellons and Lanchester Cricket Club to provide opportunities for children inspired by the sport in their Chance to Shine sessions to continue playing outside of school.
The programme, delivered by Durham Cricket, inspired 54 children to sign up to Lanchester Cricket Club’s All Stars Cricket sessions, accounting for 90% of the overall attendance to ECB’s entrylevel programme in the club.
Since Lanchester EP received Chance to Shine cricket sessions for the first time in 2019, the sport has really taken off across the school.
PE teacher Lewis Graham says there is now a big demand for more cricket – including among children who are usually less active in classes. He said: “It has basically taken over break times, lunch clubs, afterschool clubs.
“A lot of children just want to play cricket now, it is fantastic.”
Staff at the school have fully embraced the programme too.
Mellons said: “The school staff have been absolutely unbelievable.
“They have constantly engaged with the kids and are involved in the sessions.
“They actually video the sessions so they can replay the games when we are not there!”
Mellon’s delivery has played a role in engaging pupils, according to Graham, who added: “Phil has been absolutely outstanding.
“He is just so enthusiastic about the sport and it just rubs off onto the children.”
Last year the school was named Primary School of the Year at the Chance to Shine Awards.
■ DURHAM Cricket Association of Cricket Officials challenged their members to collectively walk 390.6 miles – equivalent to the distance of visiting every cricket ground in the county – during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Association set up the “Around the Grounds” challenge during lockdown to connect with their members and get them to work towards a common goal.
Durham’s ACO drew a virtual route to visit all cricket grounds across the county, including the Emirates Riverside, with the journey starting from Barningham CC and ending up at Burnopfield Cricket Club.
Durham ACO members have now completed 2.4 laps around Durham’s cricket grounds, having accumulated 933 miles in walking, running or cycling.
At a time when umpires and scorers across Durham would normally be officiating in fixtures, the initiative has uplifted spirits and encouraged officials to stay active.
Harry Stephenson, Durham Cricket ACO chairman said: “As an association it has been pleasing to see our officials take part in the initiative to stay active and healthy.
“Although we don’t have any games to umpire or score, to have our members completing a group initiative is fantastic and I am delighted with the number of miles we have already hit.
“It is vital we stay connected through this pandemic.”