MCC's Community Development Department and the MCC Foundation have launched free-to-access online platforms providing fun content to help young cricketers stay active at home while recreational sporting activities are paused.

The MCC Foundation’s Virtual Hub is an engaging online resource with content aimed at young players aged 11-16, including workouts, cricket challenges, competitions, and activities that promote positive mental well-being. The online platform also includes nutrition tips for the whole family, strength and conditioning plans, and resources to help young people work independently on their technical skills across the core cricket disciplines.

The Hub includes contributions from professional coaches and cricketers from the Foundation’s new Young Ambassadors programme; these inspiring individuals are leading the Foundation’s drive to make cricket a game for all.

Recent Sport England findings revealed that only 41.9% of young people aged 5-16 in London hit the recommended hours of activity in 2019-20, down 4.2% compared to the 2018-19 academic year. This is largely attributed to the school closures and lockdowns we witnessed last year. Initiatives like the Virtual Hub will therefore be essential in providing young people with the means and inspiration to get active.

The Virtual Hub is free to access, publicly available, and will continually be updated with fresh new material to keep participants engaged. The Virtual Hub can be accessed below.

Virtual Hub

MCC Foundation Director, Dr Sarah Fane OBE said: “This has been a devastating time for young people. Away from friends, unable to take part in school and in sports, their mental health and fitness have suffered significantly. We hope our hub will inspire them to keep going, to get active and to prepare for the season ahead.

"The virtual hub is our way of showing that we are here to support and of bringing much needed joy and activity at this challenging time"

"We also want to connect to our young beneficiaries across the world, who already face so much hardship and are suffering from the added consequences of the pandemic. The virtual hub is our way of showing that we are here to support and of bringing much needed joy and activity at this challenging time.”

MCC’s Community Development Department has created an online PE portal aimed at primary-aged school children, as part of their ongoing relationship with Westminster schools.

The portal delivers regularly updated games, solo activities and challenges to keep children energised while being home-schooled.