A year ago, Jacob had no interest in sports. His shyness and lack of confidence to get involved at school meant that he was missing out on opportunities and finding his time there challenging.
It was only after Chance to Shine delivered a 6-week programme at Jacob’s primary school last year that he began to build up an interest in cricket. Coach Chris Baker remembers how shy Jacob had been at the beginning: “He didn’t want to engage and spent most of his time huddled up inside his coat.” Jacob’s teacher, Rob Ellington, speaks of how Jacob struggled to come out of his shell before he started playing cricket. “He’d never found a sport that he liked, struggled to engage, and found things a little bit difficult.”
But throughout those 6 weeks, everything changed for Jacob, and by the end of the programme, he was throwing himself into the whole session. Chris witnessed a massive improvement in Jacob’s skills. “He was willing to give anything a go!” Quickly, Jacob’s enthusiasm shone through, and his grandma recalls picking him up from one particular session. “It was like he’d had too much chocolate; he was so full of it. I wish everyone could have seen the fire in his belly.”
Following the Chance to Shine programme, cricket has become Jacob’s main passion, and it is clear that this extends beyond his sessions at school. In fact, his love for the game was epitomised by his request to Santa last year. Jacob’s grandma recalls “He couldn’t wait for the next session. And then, of course, his Christmas List came out, and top of the list was a cricket bat and cricket stumps.” She thanked the school for getting Jacob interested in sports. Rob tells us that it was his “favourite moment as a teacher.”
Jacob stands at the wicket during his session delivered by Chance to Shine.
Watching Jacob in action, this passion is plain to see. “I feel excited when I play cricket,” he says. “I love being a batter!”
Through cricket, Jacob is now building up the confidence to believe he can do anything. “I like to get the ball and throw it back, because it’s like my talent!” he muses after another energetic session on the playground. The benefits have extended beyond the sport itself. “It’s transformed his life at school and how he is doing in class” says Rob. And while he has often found his emotions hard to express, he has no problem speaking about his love for cricket with his family, teachers, and friends old and new. He has also found a new way to connect with his grandad, who has Parkinson’s. His grandma tells us “His grandad can show Jacob how to throw the ball, so it’s a good family thing too.”
Jacob is now on track to become a Sport Leader at school, which his teachers hope will help him to use what he has learnt through cricket and pass this on to other students. Through his sessions so far, he has learnt leadership skills, creativity, and teamwork, all of which he will be given the opportunity to mentor. When asked how hitting the ball makes him feel, Jacob is quick to answer (with a beaming smile) – “Confident!”.
Jacob with his classmates and teacher, Rob Ellington, after their cricket session.
When children like Jacob feel like they are succeeding, they are unstoppable. Rob acknowledges “It’s a magical moment when a child like Jacob believes they can do something, because that means they are more likely to keep going.” That is exactly what Jacob would like to do. After already experiencing All Stars sessions at his local club, he’s on the lookout for the next step of his cricketing journey. With a free, weekly Chance to Shine Street club just down the road – there’s a world of possibility. Who knows what he will ask for next Christmas?
