The MCC Foundation’s Afghan Refugee Project, supported by MCC, has been shortlisted for the Tessa Jowell Community Award for this year’s Sport Industry Awards. 

The Foundation has been running a programme for Afghan Refugees since autumn last year when they arrived in the UK. The programme has been instrumental in helping those in need who’ve had their lives upheaved overnight, by giving them the opportunity to exercise and socialise in a safe place, during a difficult and daunting time of transition.

Providing the refugees with much needed time outside of their hotel, the families look forward to visiting the Home of Cricket each week for cricket coaching sessions at Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre. Beyond cricket, the initiative also provides essential care for the refugees; offering traditional Afghan meals to make them feel at home, English-speaking lessons to assist them with creating a life in the UK, clothing, and special support for pregnant refugees, whose children have been born since the programme began.

The project has been a great success and shows the power sport has, bringing hope, joy and a community together.

The winners of the Sport Industry Awards 2022 will be announced on 12 May.

You can find out more about the MCC Foundation and how to support them here.