Chance to Shine and RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) continued their Community Leadership partnership with an excellent Skills Share Day in Leeds, which saw young people from the local area develop their leadership skills alongside RBC volunteers, and one of England’s most celebrated cricketers and RBC WM brand ambassador, Joe Root.
This wonderful partnership provides opportunities for young people to learn essential life skills through cricket, aligning with RBC’s purpose to help communities prosper, while supporting Chance to Shine’s mission to ensure all young people have access to the game.
The day-long event, held at the University of Leeds, blended cricket and mentorship to empower girls from The Snaith School through hands-on experience. In the morning, students stepped into the role of coaches, leading RBC WM volunteers through a series of cricket drills, while building their confidence and communication skills.
In the afternoon, the roles reversed. Students became mentees, collaborating with RBC WM professionals to develop and pitch innovative ideas to a panel including RBC Wealth Management CEO Robin Beer and Chance to Shine CEO Kate Stephens. The session focussed on creative thinking, presentation skills, and real-world problem-solving.
“I’ve learned how to communicate a bit better and I’ve also improved my cricket skills,” said Imogen, aged 13, from The Snaith School. “Joe taught me that it’s okay to ask for help – that’s normal.”
Rosie, another pupil, aged 12, said: “The opportunity to learn something new is amazing. Playing cricket makes me feel happy and I get to be with my friends, it’s great!”
The former England captain, Root, joined the morning coaching session, offering expert advice ahead of his departure for the Ashes. He also participated in a Q&A session and informal round-robin games, sharing insights from his career on and off the pitch.
Earlier in the day, he shared his thoughts on how sport helps to develop leadership: “Chance to Shine’s work provides opportunities and creates a love for cricket but also tries to bring out those qualities of leadership, of learning to work with one another, and discovering strengths within yourself and what you can bring to a team.
“Leadership isn’t just for the cricket field – it carries into every part of life. Whether it’s in business or your career, being exposed to leadership at a young age can really set you up for success down the line.”
For the RBC WM volunteers who attended, it was the perfect opportunity to see the tangible benefits that cricket provides in the community.
“It’s fantastic to bring together volunteers and students who are taking part in the leadership programme,” said Rosie Craig, Citizenship Manager at RBC WM. “It’s great to be here and see the energy in the room. The young leaders get the opportunity to practice the skills that they’ve been developing, and they can hopefully recognise that they’ve gained those skills.
“For our volunteers, it’s a chance to get into a different environment, ensure that they see how we’re impacting their local communities.”
Robin Beer, RBC WM CEO, provided a similar perspective: “Today highlights the incredible power of community and mutual learning. There’s so much experience here, from elite sport to professional services, and it’s been inspiring to see that knowledge passed on to the next generation of leaders.”
This was echoed by Kate Stephens, CEO of Chance to Shine: “We believe that cricket has the power to help young people fulfil their potential and develop crucial life skills. We also believe in the power of partnership, and the support of RBC Wealth Management, our first Community Leadership Partner, has been incredible so far, and we’re so excited for what lies ahead.”
With the support of RBC WM, Chance to Shine are able to ensure young people from under-served communities have access to cricket so they develop leadership skills, build communication skills and cultivate a love for the game. This partnership has already made a lasting difference among UK communities and continues to thrive.
