Stanford money provides chance

12 June 2008

Following the Stanford 20/20 for 20 launch at Lord’s, the Cricket Foundation confirmed that Chance to shine - the campaign to bring cricket to a third of the country’s state schools - will also be a beneficiary of the $20m prize fund.

The grassroots charity will receive a proportion of the $7million shared between the ECB and the West Indies Cricket Board. The Cricket Foundation will also share its experience with the WICB to help with grassroots cricket in the Caribbean.

Chairman of Chance to shine Simon Dyson was delighted with the news.

“We welcome yesterday’s announcement and are grateful to Sir Allen Stanford and the ECB for the extra funding, as well as the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with the West Indies Cricket Board," he said.

“Chance to shine’s aim is to bring cricket to two million children in a third of state schools by 2015 and money from the Stanford 20/20 for 20 competition will help us to reach our target of £50million.

“We often hear on the ground, in our Chance to shine schools and clubs, that Twenty20 is bringing new, younger fans to cricket. They are excited and enthused by the fast-paced game and this competition can only add to the interest.”