We’re incredibly proud to have been nominated for a Smiley Award, celebrating our 20th anniversary documentary 20 Years of Chance to Shine and the life-changing impact of cricket on young people across the UK.
The Smiley Awards recognise powerful storytelling from charities, social enterprises and CICs, with finalists in the charity categories determined by public vote and that’s where you come in. Public voting is open now and closes on 30 January 2026. Every vote helps us celebrate the young people at the heart of our work and shine a spotlight on the life-changing power of cricket.
–> Vote for 20 Years of Chance to Shine
20 Years of Chance to Shine charts our journey since 2005, when the charity was founded with a simple but ambitious aim: to give every child the chance to play, learn and develop through cricket. Since then, we’ve has reached more than 7.3 million young people, delivering cricket in schools, hospitals and under-served communities.
Watch and vote for ’20 Years of Chance to Shine’
The documentary returns to where it all began at Hague Primary School in Bethnal Green, marking the anniversary with a reflection on how a single school session grew into a nationwide movement. It also features founding voices including Lord Mervyn King and Mark Nicholas, alongside broadcasters Henry Moeran and Greg James and former participants England international Issy Wong.
At the heart of the documentary are powerful personal stories that show cricket’s impact far beyond the boundary. Georgia Davis, now Warwickshire Bears captain and an England international, tells how her journey began with a Chance to Shine session at school. “I wouldn’t be playing cricket if it wasn’t for Chance to Shine,” she says, reflecting on a pathway that took her from playground cricket to captaining her home county.
Jack’s story shows the role cricket played during his childhood cancer treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Chance to Shine coaches helped him rediscover joy, confidence and escape during the toughest moments of his life. Now fully recovered, Jack continues to play club cricket, building friendships and life skills.
The film also follows Bashir Jabbarkhail, who arrived in the UK as a young refugee after fleeing Afghanistan. Through a Chance to Shine Street club, Bashir found belonging, leadership and purpose. Today, he is not only a cricketer but a mentor, helping other refugees settle into the community that has become his home.
Being nominated is a proud moment for us and a celebration of the millions of young people whose lives have been touched by cricket over the past 20 years. Every vote helps shine a light on their stories and on the power of cricket to inspire confidence, connection and opportunity.
