When Mark Nicholas, Duncan Fearnley, and I presided over the start of Chance to Shine in 2005, our vision was to enable all children in state schools to benefit from the life skills afforded by the opportunity to play cricket. Our aim was not to produce professional players; it was to enhance the lives of children in the programme.
THE LORD KING OF LOTHBURY, KG CBE, CHANCE TO SHINE PRESIDENT
By providing those opportunities, Chance to Shine has helped so many children to better concentrate on their schoolwork, just as I was helped many years before. From the beginning, one question guided my thinking: ask not what young people could do for cricket, but what cricket could do for young people.
As this wonderful charity enters its 20th year, I am delighted to say that this vision has borne remarkable fruit. Chance to Shine has reached over 7 million children, transforming the sporting and educational landscape in schools and communities alike. Today, we work in a quarter of state primary schools in England and Wales each year, introducing children to cricket and, in doing so, inspiring them to become the best versions of themselves.
While the scale of our work is significant, we have remained unwavering in our commitment to quality. It is deeply encouraging to know that 97% of teachers this year reported that we had improved their pupils’ relationship with sport. As you explore this year’s report, I hope you will also see our determination to reach children who lack opportunities to play, breaking down barriers in the communities that need us most.
At the heart of this work are the incredible people who deliver it. Our coaches are nothing short of inspirational. Every day, they help young people not only master the basics of the sport but also develop vital life skills and grow as individuals. I offer my deepest gratitude to them and to everyone in our delivery network, whose passion and expertise ensure that Chance to Shine is more than the sum of its parts.
We would not be here without the steadfast support of our long-term partners. From the outset, the UK Government, the cricket community, and Sport England have been supportive. To every partner, supporter, and friend of Chance to Shine: our success is your success, and it has allowed us to build something truly remarkable.
Yet, as we celebrate, we must also look to the future. The challenges we face are significant. In a time of economic hardship, investing in young people through cricket has never been more important.
Our ambition is clear: by 2028, we aim to reach 1 million children annually. We need your continued support. Together, we can ensure that the next generation grows up not only playing the game but also embracing its life-changing potential.
When I made my England debut against Ireland in 2024, it was a dream come true – a new chapter in a journey that started years earlier with Chance to Shine. Those early sessions at Moor Hall Primary School helped spark a passion that has shaped my life ever since.
Cricket has given me so much, and I know first hand the impact it can have on young people. Ultimately, this charity is about giving them the opportunity to find their own path—whether that’s as a cricketer, a doctor, a teacher, or something else entirely. The possibilities are endless.
Cricket has the power to inspire, and I can’t wait to see the next generation take their first steps on this incredible journey.
Georgia Davis, England International & Chance to Shine Participant.
I’ve been playing cricket from a very early age, around eight years old, and I was fortunate to work with a lot of talented players and coaches. Cricket helped me develop important life skills, including mental resilience, social skills, teamwork, and the ability to build friendships and lasting memories.
For me, that’s why I love coaching. It’s fun, enjoyable, and a way to connect with others. Without the Chance to Shine programme, I don’t think cricket would have ever become part of school life in the places I deliver. The impact it’s had has been incredible.
Owen Batchelor
Chance to Shine Coach, Yorkshire Cricket Board
Chance to Shine is all about possibility. For the Afghan refugees who came to our school, it’s about a sense of belonging too. Without Chance to Shine, we wouldn’t have been able to give them that chance.
It also provides opportunities to children who may not have thought about cricket before, helping them develop a love for a game they might not have played previously. This is especially important in our school, which sits in an area of high deprivation. I don’t think cricket was on the agenda for them before, but they developed such a love for it that they’re playing it outside now.
Lorraine Dalton
Headteacher, Ysgol Bryn Gwalia
The Chance to Shine sessions mean I have somewhere to have fun and practise all of my cricket skills. Cricket is something I really enjoy—we get to practise all our skills, play matches, and it makes me feel comfortable.
Some of the new skills are really difficult to learn, but if you keep practising them, they become easier. My favourite thing about playing cricket is trying all these different things and getting better at them.
I never used to do things that were difficult before, but now I do-because I know I can.
Isis ‘Masha’ Williams
Cricketer, South Norwood Street Club
Chance to Shine is an integral part of the community-not just for the sport, but for socialising and mental health. For my family, it has opened doors we never thought possible.
I think it’s very important. It provides strong role models to look up to, a safe space for children to attend, and somewhere to grow their confidence-knowing that if you work hard, you can achieve things.
Sometimes, where I live, people don’t mix enough outside of their own community-but Chance to Shine is for everybody. When I used to look at cricket and my children, we assumed it wasn’t for working-class people. But this programme has changed that. It has made cricket affordable and helped us understand the pathways to progress.
This is a charity that makes a difference.
Christina Starbuck
Mother of Street cricketer Chase
We are a UK charity that works in state schools and underserved communities to deliver best-in-class cricket programmes to young people aged 5 to 24.
We want them to develop a love for the game and find a sense of belonging through cricket, enhancing their wellbeing and life skills to help them fulfil their potential.
IT IS OUR MISSION TO GIVE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY, LEARN AND DEVELOP THROUGH CRICKET
All our programmes are completely free to access for everyone involved, from schools and community groups to young people and their families.
We work with trusted delivery partners across England, Wales, and Scotland, using expert coaches to reach young people in the schools and communities that need us most.
young people took part in Chance to Shine programmes
coaches delivered sessions
Hours of cricket delivered
Gender Split
State primary schools reached
Schools had a higher than average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals
Street Clubs
of Street Clubs were based in the most deprived areas of England and Wales
of street cricketers were from minority ethnic backgrounds
Yorkshire has long been associated with cricket, but the sport wasn’t always a natural fit for pupils at Barnsley’s The Mill Academy.
What pupils told us…
Teachers agreed that Chance to Shine improved their pupils’:
WE ALSO HELP TEACHERS TO DEVELOP:
I feel confident to teach a cricket session without an external coach present:
What Street cricketers told us…
STREET CRICKETERS DEVELOP A MORE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SPORT, AND GROW IN CONFIDENCE:
I enjoy taking part in sport and exercise
I feel confident when I exercise and play sports
WHAT THE PARENTS SAY….
agreed ‘My child’s coaches are good role models’
agreed ‘The Street club is a positive environment in which my child can thrive’
would recommend Street to others
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.
2025 MARKS 20 YEARS SINCE THE CREATION OF CHANCE TO SHINE.
Andrew Strauss and Matthew Hoggard officially launch Chance to Shine at The Hague Primary, Bethnal Green
Piloted in London and Birmingham before moving across the UK
Pupils from St Thomas Primary in Exeter celebrate Chance to Shine’s 5th anniversary
Rachael Sanders becomes Chance to Shine's one millionth child
Eddie Lidster becomes the two millionth child to play cricket with Chance to Shine
The charity rebrands to their now-famous yellow colours and spark logo!
Ruby-Mae Hockham becomes the two millionth child to play cricket with Chance to Shine
Chance to Shine break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest cricket lesson
"Everybody’s allowed to play cricket, it’s for everybody. It’s important that we all learn to play together.”
Keira, Chance to Shine’s two millionth girl, rings the opening bell at London’s Stock Exchange
"When I play cricket, I feel like there’s a crowd watching me! I feel amazing! What I like about cricket is the teamwork because if you don’t have any teamwork then you’ll never succeed.”
Issy Wong and Lauren Bell become the first Chance to Shine participants to play for England
"It feels really nice to be the six millionth child. We’ve been playing cricket, learning how to bat, bowl and learning how to catch and trying to aim for the wickets when I’m bowling. Cricket makes me feel very happy!”
8 year-old Theo Smith becomes the seven millionth child to take part in Chance to Shine
“Playing cricket makes me feel happy as it lets you play with your friends. I like playing with my friends as it expresses my feelings and gets rid of stress,” said Theo. “There was a lovely coach who inspired me to join the club that she told us about. I’m more confident now about batting – when I started playing cricket I used to use a big ball but now I use a smaller ball.”
Our data led approach helps us to understand the areas with the greatest need, working in tandem with our delivery partners to establish a place based approach, considering the nuances of their local area when planning delivery. Chance to Shine operates across all of England, Wales and Scotland – with a core focus on communities where young people face barriers to being active.
We provide mapping tools to our delivery partners, ensuring they can connect their work in schools to local community opportunities:
Partners analyse Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and Free School Meal (FSM) data to pinpoint areas most in need
The tools allow partners to establish the proximity of their delivery to nearby community cricket hubs (e.g., traditional clubs, national programmes, MCC Foundation hubs)
Where such opportunities are limited, we work to establish Chance to Shine Street clubs to fill geographic gaps
When planning delivery, we work with partners to ensure, wherever possible, a community cricket offer is available within one mile of the school
Key Terms:
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD): A measure of relative deprivation across areas in England, based on factors like income, employment, health, and education.
Free School Meals (FSM): A government-funded indicator of children from low-income households, often used as a proxy for deprivation.
Source: UK Office for National Statistics, 2020
The UK Office for National Statistics reports that half of all coastal towns in England and Wales are deprived. Indeed new research from the University of Essex’s Centre for Coastal Communities shows young people living in deprived seaside places are more likely to become unhealthier young adults than those living in deprived inland areas.
Map Key
Primary School (Above Average FSM - Has Received Chance to Shine)
Chance to Shine Street club
High level of Deprivation (IMD 1-3)
In Worthing, West Sussex, several neighbourhoods fall within the most deprived 10-30% areas of England, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Chance to Shine have worked closely with Sussex Cricket Foundation to pinpoint the opportunity for a free, weekly Street cricket club in the area.
“This is a great example of how we use data to connect our programmes and demonstrate the need for Street cricket,” says Chris Sowton, Head of Impact and Evaluation at Chance to Shine. “In Worthing, we’ve identified four schools within a two-mile radius where pupils face economic challenges. While traditional clubs exist in the area, many young people struggle to access them. By launching a Street club here, we can ensure cricket reaches those who need it most – providing an outlet for their passion after our school programmes have sparked a love for the game.”
Sussex Cricket Foundation’s Carl Tupper echoes the need for such an opportunity: “We’ve decided it’s a good place to start, given the need with the number of people in the area and the untapped market for what we’re trying to achieve. There are a lot of leisure centres in the area, but again the cost becomes difficult. Unless you’ve got money to access sports, you’re not going to access them easily and that is why Street is special. This will give young people a space they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Source: Centre for Coastal Communities, University of Essex, 2024
On a cold evening in January, a group of girls meets in a sports hall in west Birmingham. One of the girls waits patiently with a big smile on her face. Lacey, a bright and warm eleven year old, has attended almost every Street session since her enrolment in 2023, but, as she proficiently begins to bat and bowl, it’s hard to believe that she was completely new to cricket two years ago.
Batting, bowling, and fielding are all individual skills – and Chance to Shine encourages children to focus on improving their own ‘personal best’. However, when it comes to making new friends, learning to work together and achieving results as a team – the power of the collective is crucial.
My child has thrived at this club. I’ve seen her grow in confidence and be able to work as a team player.”
Parent of a 10-year-old girl, Dudley
Cricket participation among girls is up in recent years, with over 20,000 women’s and girls’ fixtures being played across the grassroots game in 2023, a growth of over 20% year on year. Last year, half of the 626,863 young people who took part in Chance to Shine were girls.
Over 300,000 girls took part in Chance to Shine last year, including cricketers at 36 all girls Street clubs.
We are behind the ECB’s vision of making cricket the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales. Almost every parent (99%) of a child playing Street cricket says it provides a positive community space, bringing together people from all walks of life.
She’s been accepted into a different community and culture.”
Parent of a 9 year-old girl, Bedford
The ‘Spirit of Cricket’ has been spoken of for generations. The game prides itself on respect, discipline, sportsmanship and fair play – indeed the phrase is enshrined in the laws of the game.
98% of parents say their child’s Street Club provides a positive environment in which their child can thrive.
Movement, control, hand- eye coordination, throwing, catching, and balance are all improved by taking part in cricket. Chance to Shine sessions promote positive experiences around physical activity and our resources are in line with the national curriculum.
The girls absolutely loved it. They’ve learned a lot of fundamental cricket skills and it’s clear to see their development within core PE lessons.”
Teacher from Priory Witham Academy, Lincoln
Playing cricket and being active isn’t just great for your body. It plays a core role in the personal development of young people, as well as their mental and social wellbeing. Our programmes aim to help young people to fulfil their potential.
89% of parents said that Street Cricket had improved their child’s communication skills.
A STUDY FROM THE SOCIAL METRICS COMMISSION SHOWS MORE THAN ONE IN THREE CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY IN THE UK, THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.
of children from low income backgrounds met government guidelines for activity. (Sport England Active Lives)
created by sport and physical activity in England each year
Chance to Shine programmes ensure that children and young people have positive experiences of sport, with a particular focus on those facing the greatest inequalities. These positive experiences help promote lifelong participation in sport and physical activity, with ongoing benefits to health and wellbeing.
In October 2024, Sport England released a report estimating that sport and physical activity generated over £107 billion in social value in 2022/23. This includes £96.7 billion in the wellbeing value calculated for adults, children and young people and an additional £10.5 billion in relieved pressures on the health and social care system.
Sport England’s findings show ‘active’ children and young people have a wellbeing value of £4,100 annually, compared to £3,100 for those who are ‘fairly active’. However, the benefits of sport and physical activity are unevenly spread because of inequalities in participation.
Research shows that social deprivation is a major barrier to participating in sport and physical activity. The Social Metrics Commission’s 2024 report found that over one in three children live in families that are in poverty. With 5.2m children living in poverty, it is more important than ever that Chance to Shine’s work is focussed on those communities with the least access to sport. In 2023/24 we worked in 1,117 primary schools located in Deciles 1-3 (the bottom 30%) of the Index of Multiple Deprivation and 91% of our Street clubs were in these areas.
Fairly active young people
Active young people
of teachers said Chance to Shine improved their pupils’ enjoyment of sport
Sources: Social Metrics Commission 2024, Active Lives Children and Young People Survey 2024
The need for our work has never been greater, which is why we launched our four-year strategy for growth, Limitless Futures, in 2024. We have three strategic priorities to reach by 2028:
Over 90% of young people, teachers and parents recognising a positive impact on physical, personal, mental, or social wellbeing through taking part.
Grow the reach of our impact by meaningfully supporting one million young people per year.
Prioritise those who have fewer opportunities (young people living in poverty and young people who are inactive). Help to remove barriers and support them to play cricket locally by delivering impact-led cricket programmes.
Schools receiving the Chance to Shine programme in 2025 will have a higher than average number of pupils eligible for free school meals. This has grown from 42% in the 2023/24 academic year.
Street clubs will run in 2025 compared to 274 in 2023/24
“Over the last two decades, we have really moved the dial not just on cricket in state schools, but using cricket as a vehicle to change the lives of young people. The need for Chance to Shine has never been greater, and we need the whole of the sport to get behind us in our 20th year as we aim to give more children than ever before the chance to pick up a bat and ball”
Eoin Morgan, World Cup winning captain and Chance to Shine Trustee
Chance to Shine’s income in 2023/24 was £6.47m. Our thanks goes to all our partners and supporters who continue to support the charity on our mission to inspire all young people through cricket.
Charitable activities include the Chance to Shine Schools and Street programmes and the costs of a regional Operations team.
Fundraising includes the cost of fundraising campaigns and staff costs relating to the Fundraising team.
Support costs are all other costs of the charity, including finance, communications, office and administration costs.
Chance to Shine Enterprises is a subsidiary company which runs fundraising events and manages sponsorship contracts on behalf of the charity.
We would like to thank all who have supported, and who continue to support, Chance to Shine
Dana Abdulkarim
Amit Aggarwal
Emma Bernstein
Steve Davies
Sharon Hague
Sir Mark Harford
Will Lawes
Eoin Morgan, CBE
Bilal Raja
Tim Score
Kriti Sharma
David Walker
The Lord King of Lothbury, KG CBE
Mark Nicholas
Sir Tim Rice
Honorary Life Vice President
Sir Donald Brydon
Graham Able
Sir Danny Alexander
Nick Anstee
Adrian Beecroft, Esq.
Laura Cordingley
John Dodge
Simon Dyson
Charlotte Edwards, CBE
Peter Gale
Garri Jones
Wasim Khan, MBE
Judy Knappett
Doug McAllister
Sophie O’Connor
Tim O’Gorman
Alison Oliver
Russell Perry
Ebony Rainford-Brent, MBE
Caspar Rock
Mike Soper
Oliver Stocken, CBE
Luke Swanson
Duncan Fearnley
Anshu Jain
Qasim Afzal
Jack Daniels
Aditya Khanna
Ravi Rajagopal
Michael Reyner
David Taylor
Saibh Young
Richard & Diana Allan
Adrian Beecroft, Esq
Sir Donald & Lady Corrine Brydon
In memory of the late Peter James Evans
In memory of the late Kenneth George James
Michael Jones, OBE
Naguib, Nina & Ali Kheraj
Sir Tim Rice
Mark Richer
Nudgem Richyal
Peter Allen
Andrew Dodd
Simon & Lynn Dyson
Stephen Edge
Andy Gray
Sir Mark Harford
Nick Harrison
In memory of John Holroyd
Doug & Sophie McAllister
Trevor Price
Richard & Amanda Rowse
Amanda Wood, in loving memory of Graham Yates
Neil Berkett
Jack Daniels
Guy Davison
The Rt Hon Lord Justice Floyd
In memory of John Fordham, Esq.
Gavin Gemmell
Danny Glynn
Peter Goodwin
John Kemp-Welch
Robert Legget
Will Lawes
The Lord King of Lothbury, KG CBE
Martin Lewis
Mark Loveday
Frank McKay
David & Patricia Moran
Lord Nash
Barry O’Brien
Stuart Priscott
Michael Reyner
Ian Robertson
Tim Score
David Suddens
Mark Anderson
Matthew Annable
Duncan Barber
Jonathan Barnett
Chris Beetles Gallery in association with Charles Rifkind
John Boden
Ian Bowler
Ed Byers
James Clarke
Chris Coles
John Collins
Bob Cowell
Steve Davies
Paul Dowling
Lee Doyle
Simon Fielder
Paul Freeman
Ewen Gilmour, Esq.
Chris Guyver
Andy Hawkes
Karthic Jayaraman
Neil Jennings
Robin Jones
Linda Keenan
Alan King
Terence Kyle
Richard Langley
Ric Lewis
Mark Makepeace
Eoin Morgan, CBE
Sumita & Anand Narayan
Stephen O’Connor
In memory of Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE
Ravi Rajagopal
Caspar Rock
Andrew Ross
Richard Smith
Oliver Stocken, CBE
Richard Sykes
Lindsay Tomlinson, OBE
Lesley Williams
Dominic & Rachael Wong
David Woodhouse
Mary Wright
Jeffrey Archer
Richard Awdry
John Ball
Tessa Bamford
Ian Barrison
Jonathon Bates
Philip Betts
In memory of Robert Bown
Stuart Brown
Chris Busby
Tim Clark
Laura Cordingley
Jon Desborough
Chris Eyre
James Gibson
Shiv Haria-Shah
Shirley Harrop
Garri Jones
Mike Kirkman
Steven Larcombe
Malcolm Le May
Chris Lees
Charles Manby
Luke Mason
James McAllister
Krishna Murali
Christopher Nott
Freddie Offley
Anthony Regan
Jamie Rountree
Paul Schaafsma
Giles Schofield
Charles Scott Plummer
Ravi Shankar
Brian Sherlock
Guy Slimmon
Tom Stone
Malcolm Strong
Nick Warr
Simon Warshaw
Hugh Wilson
Ashurst LLP
AXA XL
Baringa Partners
BGC International
Bloomberg
Cardinus Risk Management Limited
Compare the Market
Dentons LLP
Enterprise Flex E Rent
Equitix
Fenchurch Advisory
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Gresham House
Korn Ferry
Lazard & Co Ltd
Nairn’s Oatcakes Ltd
St. James’s Place Wealth Management
Unilever
Vestey Holdings Ltd
Wilshire Indexes
Yorkshire Tea
Angus Lawson Memorial Trust
Austin and Hope Pilkington Charitable Trust
Baron Davenport’s Charity
Champniss Charitable Trust
Charterhouse in Southwark
Cricket Wales
Englefield Charitable Trust
Eric Frank Trust
Fidelity UK Foundation
Foundation Scotland
Gale Family Charity Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
Gosling Foundation
Grange Farm Centre Trust
Grantham Yorke Trust
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Harpur Trust
Heathrow Community Trust
Joan and John Corfield Charitable Trust
John Armitage Charitable Trust
John Coates Charitable Trust
John Lyon’s Charity
Keith C Brown
Kirby Laing Foundation
Kusuma Trust
London Marathon Charitable Trust
Matchroom Sports Charitable Foundation
Miles Foundation
Newby Trust Ltd
Peter Harrison Foundation
PF Charitable Trust
Rangoonwala Foundation
Sandra Charitable Trust
SG Catto Charitable Trust
Shane Mackay
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
The Aylesford Family Charitable Trust
The Behrens Foundation
The Buffini Chao Foundation
The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
The Childhood Trust
The City Bridge Trust
The Derek Raphael Charitable Trust
The Eveson Charitable Trust
The Henry Sale Foundation
The Hobson Charity
The Jack Petchey Foundation
The JMCMRJ Sorrell Foundation
The Lindsell Foundation
The Loppylugs and Barbara Morrison Charitable Trust
The Misses CM Pearson & MV Williams Charitable Trust
The Monday Charitable Trust
The Mulberry Trust
The Payne-Gallwey Charitable Trust
The Rowlands Trust
The Samuel Storey Family Charitable Trust
The Sir James Reckitt Charity
The Swire Charitable Trust
The Taylor Family Foundation
The Tomoro Foundation
The Wixamtree Trust
The Wogen Anniversary Trust
The Worshipful Company of Grocers
Wembley National Stadium Trust
Westminster Foundation
Richard Allan
Martin Briggs
Steve Capey
David Clasen
Dave Darby
Chris Eyre
Azam Iqbal
David Taylor
Community Cricket Award – Liverpool 8 Schools Cricket Hub
Primary School of the Year – Ysgol Bryn Gwalia
Schools Coach of the Year – Owen Batchelor
Secondary School of the Year – The Nobel School
Street Club of the Year – Queens Park Street Club
Street Coach of the Year – Ben Chitiyo
Young Person of the Year – Isis Springer
Harlestone CC – In memory of Roger Toone
The Cricketer Cup
Britvic Soft Drinks
Sam Armour
Chris Baker
Charlie Baxter
Frank Brand
Sam Cope
Ellie Edwards
Katie Fawkner-Corbett
Jack Gold
Vanessa Greene
Ian Gregory
Martha Haslam
James Hendry
Lizzy Heyman
Ross Jeavons
Melda Kahraman
Cat Kerr-Smith
Matt Long
Danny Maskell
Bruno Mojs
Mira Patel
Steve Peyman
Nic Platt
Stuart Priscott
Rohan Randhawa
Les Rolt
Gabrielle Russell
Chris Sowton
Kate Stephens
Charlie Wood
Mina Zahoor
Zoya Zia
Syed Naman Ali
Kirah Ambroziak
Jack Buse
Advait Chimania
Tom Fox-Dean
Mary Glasby
Jack Spencer Jones
Momina Khalid
Gregor Maggs
Sanaa Makkan
Mollie Ovenden
Aadam Patel
Rhia Sedha
Laurie Stevens
Fizza Wahab Khan
Sara Yasin
Sign up to receive emails about our latest news, appeals, events and volunteering opportunities.
