The Chance to Shine Awards, presented by Compare the Market, celebrated those who have made notable contributions to inspiring young people through cricket this year.
The Chance to Shine Awards 2025 was a true celebration of the life changing power of cricket, it’s communities and the wonderful people who make our programmes so special.
A huge thank you to everyone who nominated. Read below to find out about our winners and runners up in more detail:
Passionate leadership, professionalism and a desire for continuous improvement have enabled Hampshire Cricket Board to achieve consistent success. They delivered cricket to 173 schools, reaching 21,000 children and providing over 3,400 hours of coaching, alongside six innovative Street Clubs in Basingstoke and Portsmouth. Their connected programme planning has created a pathway from schools and community cricket into the talent pipeline, receiving very positive feedback and improving inclusive access to the game. They’re a brilliant team who deserve our thanks and appreciation.
Congratulations also to our other two shortlisted nominees Cricket Scotland and Surrey Cricket Foundation, for your fantastic work in the community.
As a Year 2 pupil, Imogen’s commitment to cricket has been an inspiration. She has thrown herself into lunchtime sessions, improving her technique and building leadership skills to encourage her peers. Daisy, her Chance to Shine coach, is a wonderful role model, and in a heartwarming moment, Imogen even dressed up as her for a ‘dress as someone who inspires you’ day at school. Imogen now plays for the under-8s at Merstham CC and heads down on Saturdays to support the senior teams.
A big well done also goes to Emily Austin and Mahdi Al-Rahman, our other shortlisted nominees, who have developed into fantastic cricketers from their Chance to Shine Schools programme.
For Oscar, who is autistic and has found social settings challenging, Street cricket offers a safe, structured and inclusive space where he feels a real sense of belonging. Playing cricket has helped him thrive: his skills have improved significantly, and he now helps out at sessions, developing his teamwork in the process. He has even begun promoting the club at school, with two friends joining as a result. Oscar is a quiet leader, a positive presence, and a brilliant ambassador for the spirit of Street cricket.
Well done to Arthur Morrison and Hanin Sobah – the other two nominees – for getting extra involved in your street session and being great role models for your peers!
Cricket was once virtually unknown at Slade Primary. It has since united hearing and hearing-impaired pupils, SEND children, teachers, parents and volunteers, becoming a cornerstone of life at the school. Chance to Shine coach Sandra Hepple has expertly adapted her sessions for pupils with hearing impairments, while teaching courses have built teachers’ confidence to deliver sessions themselves. Many pupils have developed a new love for the game – Daisy has grown in self-belief, while Ellis was introduced to cricket for the first time through the programme.
Congratulations to the other schools nominated, The Cresent Academy and The Mill Primary, for embracing Chance to Shine’s values and embracing the wonderful game of cricket
The girls at Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh, took every opportunity to coach, lead and inspire during their Chance to Shine Leadership course. As their skills developed, they successfully ran a primary school cricket festival, coordinating it across year groups. Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club played a central role alongside Cricket Scotland, Active Schools and Tynecastle High’s staff, as everyone came together to help the young leaders deliver the event. The school now hopes to provide after-school cricket and support a transition for the girls into clubs in the surrounding area.
Great work also from Hall Green School and Torpoint Community College, are other nominations who have made cricket a norm of life at their schools.
Jusnara began cricket coaching in 2019, before joining Chance to Shine in 2022, focusing on the most disengaged pupils and nurturing a love for the game. Her genius lies in recognising cricket’s unfamiliarity for many participants and adapting her sessions with enjoyable, skills-based activities. Simply by representing them, she has also helped South Asian girls shift their perceptions and inspired them to engage more confidently with the sport.
Kieran Patel and Paul Rowe were also shortlisted for the award – their brilliant work getting young people into cricket!
Before ACANE introduced regular cricket sessions, there were limited opportunities for young people in the Byker area of Newcastle to play sport. Now, cricket has become a regular activity, with over 20 young cricketers taking part in sessions run by Gaby and supported by an array of volunteers. The children have forged new friendships and developed their teamwork skills while receiving expert coaching. ACANE’s roots lie in supporting African refugees who have settled in Newcastle, and it’s this welcoming spirit that has been the key to their success.
A big well done also to Rushey Mead Street Club and Soar Valley Girls Street Club – the other shortlisted nominations for this award – for fostering such brilliant environment for cricketers to thrive.
Nazakat’s brilliance goes far beyond coaching. The relationships he has formed with participants and parents have been crucial to the surge in popularity at the Rotherham Street club he started in 2023. Participants have responded well to his engaging, exciting sessions, and parents have noticed improvements in behaviour as a result of his coaching. He has also encouraged participants to begin playing club cricket and even arranged a Street club visit to Bradford Park Avenue CC, giving them the chance to test their new skills with the hard ball.
Congratulations to Zaheer Daleel and Kaiser Altaf – the other coaches shortlist – for inspiring so many young people in your local communities.
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