Sussex’s £1m Breaking Boundaries programme set to open cricket to all children

A £1m initiative from the Sussex Cricket Foundation aims to give more young state school children access to the sport.

Breaking Boundaries’ long-term ambition is simple: every child in Sussex should be within 30 minutes of a State School Cricket Hub.

Already, it has helped more than 4,000 young people across Sussex through a growing network of hubs, alongside professional coaching, teacher development, facility investment, club partnerships and representative competition.

Staff from Active Sussex attended the launch event on Monday, July 13, at The County Ground, Hove, the home of Sussex Cricket, for a day that brought Breaking Boundaries to life through competitive cricket and the voices of the young people, teachers and schools already benefiting from the programme.

Andy Wright, Strategic Relationship Manager for Children and Young People, said: “I was excited to be invited by The Sussex Cricket Foundation to be part of their Breaking Boundaries launch event. 

“This is a game-changer for state school cricket in Sussex and potentially the country. 

“By providing access to regular free coaching to every child, particularly benefiting those facing the biggest challenges to get active, updating facilities and upskilling teachers, it will ensure sustainability of delivery and a real legacy for cricket. 

“The launch day was a showcase of what state schools already have to offer when they pull together, but the future potential of this project is massive. 

“I look forward to seeing it grow and develop over the coming years.”

The programme plans to create lasting opportunities for young people throughout their secondary school years and is supported by Sussex Cricket and backed by Focus Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Throughout the day, four area-based franchise teams made up of Year 9 and 10 pupils from across Sussex competed in a T20 competition, with the day also featuring firsthand stories from the schools, teachers and young people helping shape its success.

Early impact includes four new hubs, 62 teachers trained through CPD programmes, 169 students supported through half-term activity and 290 students supported through after-school cricket.

Chris Goodman, Sussex Cricket Board member and Founder of Focus Foundation, whose investment has helped establish Breaking Boundaries, said: “For me, this has always been about opportunity. 

“Cricket, like every sport, should be accessible to every young person, not just those fortunate enough to attend an independent school. 

“Breaking Boundaries is about giving more children the chance to experience the confidence, wellbeing and aspiration that sport can unlock. 

“If it also helps produce future Sussex or England cricketers, that would be a fantastic byproduct.”

Paul Farbrace, Sussex Men’s Head Coach, said: “The more opportunities we can create for young people to experience cricket, the better it is for them and for the future of the game. 

“Breaking Boundaries is about ensuring ability and enthusiasm are not limited by circumstance.” 

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Head of Sussex Cricket Foundation, said: “We’re already seeing Breaking Boundaries make a real difference in schools across Sussex, but this is only the beginning. 

“By working closely with schools, teachers, clubs and community partners, we are helping more young people discover cricket and fulfil their potential.”

Breaking Boundaries builds on more than a decade of work by Sussex Cricket and the Sussex Cricket Foundation to widen access to the game. 

Central to that has been the long-standing partnership with Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA), which has helped establish new opportunities and pathways for state school cricket in Sussex. 

Breaking Boundaries now builds on that work to extend those opportunities across the county.

Sir Rod Aldridge, President of Sussex Cricket, said: “Sussex Cricket has always believed the game is strongest when it is open to everyone. 

“I have been a long-term supporter of state school cricket through the successful cricket programme run at BACA for the past 10 years in partnership with Sussex Cricket. 

“Breaking Boundaries reflects this commitment to state school cricket and gives the opportunity to extend this work to many more young people across Sussex. 

“I look forward to seeing the impact of this on the future development of the game and to the opportunities it will bring.”