It’s been really exciting to watch our new sports hall grow from a set of blueprints into a state-of-the-art cricket facility over the last few years. With support from Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils, Cricket East and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the time is finally here and it’s an absolute game changer!
This new facility offers a dedicated space for us to continue our work in growing women and girl’s cricket across Bedfordshire as well as in our standard curriculum classes. With four new nets, cricket compliant poly vinyl multi-sport flooring and numerous other additions, the sports hall is brilliantly equipped for all activities.
At Wixams, we have a mix-gendered approach to PE which means our lessons see boys and girls learning and playing together across the sports in our curriculum. Rugby, netball, cricket, everyone plays together meaning all students get the same opportunities across the board. It’s a philosophy that drives inclusivity and equity within the school and I’m proud to see it reflected in how our students embrace cricket.
Last year, Cricket East delivered six to eight cricket sessions to all of our female students, providing many of them their first taste of the game. A lot of them hadn’t considered cricket before but through these sessions discovered a passion and were given options to join their local teams. We saw a real boost of interest in our own school fixtures as a result.
Our cricket team last year had over 30 girls turn up to after school sessions every week, and the side even became District Cricket Champions! Their enthusiasm for the sport is clear and it’s something we’re working hard to encourage.
We have had plenty of challenges with space over the years which is why this facility will make such a difference. Previously, we’ve had to run cricket clubs on our netball courts and even football astro, which wasn’t ideal because the ball couldn’t bounce properly! With this new facility, our students will be able to play and practice cricket on a proper surface, improving both their experience and the quality of the game.
This new facility is not just for us. We are already having discussions about how we can open it up to the wider community. It’s important that it serves not only our students but also provides a space for girls across Bedfordshire to play and develop their cricket skills. We’re continuing our work with Cricket East to establish a club aimed at girls from schools all around the region, where they’ll be able to use the facility for hardball cricket during the winter months. This is one of the many ways we hope to inspire more girls to get involved in the sport and push the boundaries of participation in women’s cricket.
The future of PE at Wixams Academy is incredibly exciting. Our new sports hall is going to make a significant difference in how we teach cricket, as well as the overall quality of our sports clubs and fixtures. No longer will we have to improvise by playing on netball courts or football pitches. Instead, our students will have access to a high-quality space that truly supports their growth in the sport. It’s an exciting time for our community, with plenty to look forward to!