By Nick Pinhol, Operations Director, Oxfordshire Cricket
Volunteers are the unsung heroes who power the engine of recreational sports clubs across the country. In many communities, they are the heartbeat of local clubs, and charities, and community groups bringing their time, skills, and passion to create spaces where people of all ages can enjoy the benefits of sport. But finding enough trained and motivated volunteers, particularly those willing to take on leadership roles, is often a challenge.
In Oxfordshire, a new initiative created by Oxfordshire Cricket aims to change that. Recognising a gap in the volunteer landscape, particularly within cricket, the Future Leaders Academy was created. This exciting programme is designed to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and leadership qualities they need to not only volunteer but thrive as leaders in their communities. It’s about much more than just cricket—it’s about fostering a generation of young individuals who are ready to give back and lead by example.
The Need for Volunteer Leaders
While the UK boasts a rich sporting culture, clubs often face the challenge of finding volunteers who are both passionate and skilled enough to take on leadership roles. Without the proper support and development, young people may not have the confidence to step into these roles, missing an opportunity to gain life-changing skills.
The Future Leaders Academy was born out of this need. Oxfordshire Cricket recognised that, although young people in Oxfordshire were already volunteering in some capacity, there was no formal, structured programme to help them build the skills required to take on leadership positions. Cricket was the perfect vehicle to fill that gap, given its history of community involvement and its wide appeal across the county.
What the Future Leaders Academy Offers
The Future Leaders Academy is a free programme that aims to provide young people with the qualifications, and experiences they need to become effective volunteers and leaders. The programme is open to all young people between the ages of 13-18, whether they are affiliated with a cricket club or not. In fact, participants come from a wide variety of sporting backgrounds, reflecting the programme’s inclusivity.
One of the key aspects of the Academy is its alignment with the Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteering hours. This gives young people the opportunity to earn a prestigious qualification while gaining practical experience that will benefit both themselves and their communities.
Launching the Future Leaders Academy
The Future Leaders Academy officially launched on October 28, 2024, with a special event held at The Sixes, Westgate Oxford. This launch event allowed the 187 participants to meet their fellow Academy members, engage with programme facilitators, and take part in cricket-themed activities in a relaxed and supportive environment. The event set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and transformative year ahead, with participants coming from 43 cricket clubs and 58 schools, with a mix of backgrounds and interests. The diversity within the cohort is a testament to the programme’s inclusive nature, which encourages young people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.
The Academy is not just about cricket — it’s about learning life skills that will last a lifetime. In its first year, the Academy offers a range of eight modules focusing on areas such as coaching, umpiring, scoring, safeguarding, and first aid. Participants are required to complete four mandatory modules and can choose from up to four optional ones that range from Nutrition, Psychology, Grounds workshops and Marketing. These modules are designed to be practical, hands-on, and immediately applicable to the participants' roles as volunteers.
The modules take place during the October, February, and April half-terms—to ensure that participants have the chance to apply what they’ve learned before the new cricket season begins. The goal is not just to impart knowledge but to give young people the confidence to use those skills in real-world situations, whether in their local cricket clubs or in their wider communities.
Measuring the Impact: Building Confidence, Leadership, and More
Although the programme is still in its early stages, initial feedback from participants, parents, and facilitators has been overwhelmingly positive. The Academy has already made a significant impact on participants' confidence, leadership skills, and overall personal development. For instance, in the October 2024 workshops, 94% of participants reported an increase in their confidence after attending the First Aid modules, and 88% doing likewise after the Coaching and Umpiring modules.
The impact of the programme extends beyond confidence. 94% of parents noted a positive influence on their child’s leadership, and communication skills, while 88% of parents also observed a positive effect on their child’s mental health, underlining the holistic benefits of the Academy. Feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly supportive, with 94% of parents reporting their children enjoyed the modules.
Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Pipeline of Volunteers
The Future Leaders Academy is only just beginning, but its impact is already being felt across Oxfordshire. With a strong foundation in place, there are plans to expand the programme to reach more young people, particularly in schools across the county. The long-term vision is to create a sustainable pipeline of volunteers and leaders who can continue to support the local cricket scene and other community initiatives for years to come.
As the programme grows, so too will its impact—on individual participants, their clubs, and the wider community. By helping young people develop essential life skills through cricket, the Future Leaders Academy is playing a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
The Future Leaders Academy is proof that sport can be a powerful tool for personal development, community engagement, and leadership. If you're a young person with an interest in volunteering, coaching, or becoming a community leader, the Future Leaders Academy is the perfect opportunity to start your journey.
In October the ECB published the Volunteer Action Plan which laid out our strategy for recreational volunteers - also known as The Cricket Collective - over the next four years. Our objective is to increase the number of young people volunteering across all roles by 50%. Initiatives such as Oxfordshire's will play a key part in achieving this ambition as we look to build a national movement of young volunteers who can not only deliver the sport, but also help shape it for future generations to come. You can read the full Action Plan HERE