Last month, Sport In Mind brought children and young people together for a fun-filled day of cricket, movement and connection as part of its Summer of Sport campaign.
Held at Emmbrook & Bearwood Cricket Club, the Children and Young People Cricket Festival was delivered in partnership with Berkshire Cricket Foundation, giving young people aged 9–16 the opportunity to try cricket, make new friends and enjoy being active during the summer holidays.
Sport In Mind is the leading mental health sports charity in England and Wales, using the power of sport and physical activity to support people experiencing mental health challenges. Its youth programmes provide regular opportunities for children and young people aged 9-16 to get active in a safe, welcoming environment, helping to improve wellbeing, build confidence and reduce social isolation.
The cricket festival was developed to extend these opportunities during the school holidays and explore whether the event could become an annual fixture.
A day of cricket, games and fun
The event welcomed both children who already enjoyed cricket and those trying the sport for the first time. The morning focused on developing basic cricket skills through fun, games-based activities, while the afternoon gave participants the opportunity to put those skills into practice through a range of adapted games. Berkshire Cricket Foundation played a key role in making the festival possible, helping Sport In Mind secure the venue, providing experienced coaches and equipment, and creating an inclusive and engaging programme for the young participants.
The venue also provided space for a family activity area, giving parents and siblings the opportunity to stay, get involved and enjoy the day alongside the young people.
In total, 30 children attended on the day. The festival which was free to attend provided valuable insight into developing activities for young people experiencing mental health challenges. Helping remove financial barriers for families during the summer holidays, participants were also introduced to opportunities to continue playing cricket and staying active beyond the festival.
Positive feedback from families
Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the experience, particularly highlighting the quality of coaching, the enthusiasm of the staff and the range of activities available.
One parent said: “We enjoyed the day. The instructors were great and really engaged with the younger children. Our daughter was one of only two girls, it would be lovely to see more girls encouraged to join. Staff were very friendly, helpful and engaging with all the children.”
Another parent said: “We had a really fun day. Everyone was enthusiastic and kept the kids entertained throughout. There were lots of different games, and even a kids-vs-adults match, which they loved – especially beating us!”
More than just cricket
For Sport In Mind, the festival was about much more than learning a new sport.
The event created an environment where young people could choose how much they wanted to participate, take breaks when needed and spend time with others in a relaxed and supportive setting.
A dedicated chill-out area and family zone helped create an environment where participants could feel comfortable and engage at their own pace.
The quality of the coaching was also a particular strength. Coaches used a games-based approach to keep the young people engaged, while adapting activities to suit different abilities and levels of experience.
The event also benefited from strong volunteer support, with volunteers helping to create a welcoming and well-organised experience for participants and families.
Looking ahead
The success of the Cricket Festival has given Sport In Mind a strong foundation from which to develop the event further.
The charity plans to bring the festival back as an annual event, with ambitions to reach even more children and young people and introduce new elements to make the experience bigger and even more enjoyable.
Future events will also look at how Sport In Mind can encourage greater participation among groups currently less represented, including girls, while continuing to ensure activities remain inclusive and accessible.
The charity hopes to build on its strong relationship with Berkshire Cricket Foundation and explore opportunities to involve additional partners in future festivals.
Sport In Mind extends its sincere thanks to Berkshire Cricket Foundation, Emmbrook & Bearwood Cricket Club, the coaches, volunteers and everyone who helped make the day possible.
Their support enabled Sport In Mind to provide children and young people with a day of sport, connection and positive experiences during the summer holidays.
If your organisation would like to partner with or support a Sport In Mind event, visit sportinmind.org.