Transforming lives in the UK

Within the UK, our mission is to open up access to the talent pathways so that every young cricketer has the opportunity to reach their full potential in the game, regardless of race, gender, or economic circumstance.

We run a network of cricket Hubs that provide free-to-access training and match play to more than 4,700 state-educated young cricketers at 126 sites across the UK. The Hubs focus on talent: helping promising youngsters who have been engaged through mass participation activities or non-traditional formats to join cricket clubs, develop their hard-ball skills, and access the formal talent pathways.

The Hubs also have a transformational impact off the cricket pitch, helping participants to feel happier and more confident, and improving their focus and performance at school.

INTERACTIVE UK HUB MAP

Virtual Hub

In 2021 we were delighted to launch an exciting nationwide competition for our talented U15 Hub players!

All Hubs were invited to compete in a series of knockout matches in inspiring venues across the regions. The four finalists, consisting of two Girls' teams from the Foundation's Bradford and Cotswold Hubs, and two Boys' teams from Manchester and Slough, earned themselves the unforgettable opportunity to play in our Grand Final on the Main Ground at Lord’s. It was the first time in history that an U18 Girls XI had played hard ball cricket on the Main Ground, and the first time that U18 Girls had played cricket of any format on the square.

The current Champions are Reading Boys and Guildford Girls.

Watch our 2023 trailer below.

Thank you so much to our long-standing supporters, Charles Stanley Wealth Managers, for making this competition possible.

MCC Foundation (MCCF) is delighted by the recent announcement that MCC and ECB will be investing in its National Hub Programme for state-educated cricketers aged 11-16. Over the next two years, this will drive MCCF's ambition to:

• Grow the number of its UK Hubs from 77 to 150
• Increase the % of female Hub players from 30 to 50
• Increase match play for all participants
• Support more youngsters from hard-to-reach communities to access the talent pathways
• Provide more support for mental and physical wellbeing
• Transform the cricket landscape and make cricket a game for all

“MCCF is passionate about breaking down the barriers to accessing hardball cricket and enabling thousands of young people to fulfil their potential through the game. We are delighted to receive this transformational funding from ECB and MCC to grow our National Hub Programme, doubling its reach and enhancing its delivery and all the opportunities it offers to young people.”

- Dr Sarah Fane OBE (Director, MCC Foundation)

The Foundation is committed to improving representation and breaking down the barriers which currently exist within the game. In addition to our national Hubs programme, we are excited to have launched an ambitious London-wide action plan to make cricket a game for all.

Our plan aims to improve representation at all levels of the game, spanning grassroots, talent, and the coaching workforce. Initiatives include:

• Supporting coaches from under-represented backgrounds to obtain a L1 or L2 coaching qualification
• Funding a mentor to provide additional support to ensure none of our beneficiaries slip through the cracks
• Running specialist training led by inspiring role models to empower more young people from under-represented backgrounds to progress into county age groups squads

On Saturday 30 July 2022, we were delighted to host our first U13 Competition at Lord's to celebrate the range of formats and diversity of talent in the game. Five girls' teams and six boys' teams came from across London to take part in a hard ball cricket tournament on the Nursery Ground and in the Indoor Cricket Centre during the day.

We are determined to make a real and lasting difference and will be working closely with key partners including ACE, MCC, the ECB, the NACC, and the Refugee Cricket Project to maximise our impact.