Zoya Zia, Senior Impact and Evaluation Officer at Chance to Shine, recently spoke at the Embedding Children’s Rights in Sport and Physical Activity Conference. This inaugural event brought together practitioners from around the globe to discuss the importance of children’s rights in sports and physical activity. In this article she explains the innovative approach Chance to Shine takes in embedding children’s rights in cricket.
Making Cricket Accessible – Zoya Zia
At Chance to Shine, our sessions are intentionally designed to be active and inclusive, ensuring they are accessible to everyone. We actively promote the right to play, one of 54 articles enshrined in the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This ground-breaking document also outlines the right for children to express themselves and live healthy lives.
We are committed to promoting a safe, welcoming world for all young people, working within our remit as a sport-for-good charity. By breaking down barriers to cricket participation, we recognise there are many stigmas surrounding the sport and leading it to be perceived as exclusive. Our programmes adapt sessions based on individual needs and preferences, supporting all skill levels. Regardless of ability—even if a child only manages to hit one ball during a session—they still deserve to be there simply because they are a young person. This belief drives our differentiated approach, where we tailor our coaching to meet the specific skills and needs of our participants.
Ownership, Leadership, and Broadening Horizons in Sport
Our sessions go beyond making cricket accessible; they empower young people by fostering a sense of ownership. Coaches encourage children to bring their own ideas for activities, lead warm-ups, and shape their experiences, cultivating confidence and decision-making skills. If young people feel they are getting what they want out of their time, it naturally promotes the sustainability of the game. This youth-centred approach transforms how children perceive the sport, expanding their understanding of what cricket can be.
Connection to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Our programmes also align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using cricket as a tool to address youth development, health, and education. The SDGs provide a vision and plan for a better world, offering helpful benchmarks alongside frameworks like the UNCRC. All of these tools ultimately help hold us accountable to upholding children’s rights. By aligning our organisational goals with these international benchmarks, we constantly work to create the best environment for young people to engage with cricket.
Conclusion
The Chance to Shine programme showcases the transformative power of sport when rooted in inclusivity, empowerment, and respect for children’s rights. By breaking down long-standing barriers and prioritising the right to play for all children, we go beyond simply teaching cricket—we build confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging.
Aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals, our programmes create a ripple effect that connects the joy of play with broader societal goals of health, education, and equality. Through this approach, Chance to Shine serves as a compelling model for how sport can drive holistic development and foster lasting social change.
