Vaughan to launch kids scheme

Michael Vaughan will lauch the children's scheme in Sheffield on Tuesday © Getty Images

England captain Michael Vaughan is set to launch a new nationwide initiative designed to encourage more young people to start playing cricket.

The Yorkshire star wants cricket to become a children's leisure activity once again and is at the forefront of the Michael Vaughan Cricket (MVC) programme, which he will officially open at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on February 27.

As he prepares to jet off to the World Cup in the West Indies, Vaughan will launch MVC with the help of more than 30 local primary school pupils.

The initiative will start with a series of cricket camps in 10 cities across the UK, providing a full week of cricket coaching, fun, games and activities for children aged five and upwards.

Vaughan said: "I'm desperate to see cricket, once again, played for enjoyment and leisure in the parks and gardens of Britain, and I hope this programme will be an essential part of that revival.

"To continue to be a strong cricketing nation in world cricket, it's essential that we build a broad base of children not only playing cricket, but excited about it as well.

“I hope that this new programme will see an influx of young players from all parts of our society go on to make cricket the national sport is should be."

The five day camps are designed to introduce boys and girls from all communities to the game by using age-specific programmes that enable children as young as five to start playing cricket, and more importantly, continue to play cricket afterwards.

Michael Vaughan will captain England at the World Cup in the West Indies © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan Cricket is being backed by the Sheffield-based King's Foundation, a children's sports charity whose programmes have already been enjoyed by over half a million children.

Chief executive of The King's Foundation, Richard Holmes, said: "We've developed a creative, enjoyable and exciting programme for Michael Vaughan Cricket that we're confident will see a new generation of children playing cricket for enjoyment and leisure.

"Children throughout the UK deserve the opportunity to learn and enjoy this great national sport. We're confident that Michael Vaughan Cricket will see more children enjoy the challenge and excitement of cricket in a way they've never experienced before."

Faye Dale, from Durham County Women's Cricket, said: "Having played and coached children in county cricket, I'm convinced that the Michael Vaughan Cricket programme will have a huge impact on children's cricket in the UK."

MVC will run in the following cities this summer: Birmingham, Bradford, Cheltenham, Harrogate, Leeds, Loughborough, Northampton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Wakefield, York.

The King's Foundation seeks to develop children through sports both here in the UK and in Africa. The charity runs King's Camps, the UK's leading multi-activity sports camps.