Felsted School hosts Lord’s Taverners Cricket Festival for disadvantaged youngsters

30 August 2016

Pakistan international bowler Saeed Ajmal passed on his top tips to youngsters on the Lord’s Taverners Wicketz Programme which was hosted at Felsted School near Great Dunmow last week.

Off-spinner Ajmal, who played 35 tests and 133 one day internationals for his country taking more than 350 wickets, visited the three-day Wicketz residential at the school in Essex which was attended by youngsters from Tower Hamlets, West Ham and Luton.

For many of the young people involved in the Wicketz programme, taking a break from inner-city life is often quite a difficult thing to be able to do. The initiative channels the power of cricket as a tool for change, social cohesion and making a difference to the lives of people in deprived areas.

The residential provided over 40 young cricketers from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to not only hone their cricketing skills with the help of Ajmal and other coaching staff, but also share in valuable life lessons from motivational speaker Chris Syrus.

On day one, the young cricketers enjoyed batting, bowling, and fielding sessions with coaches from Middlesex. On day two, Ajmal treated the youngsters to a fantastic session in the nets in which batsmen had the once in a lifetime opportunity to face an international off-spinner as he provided step by step tutorials on how to improve bowling technique.

The festival culminated in a final day of matches involving players that represented the three participating clubs from Tower Hamlets Wicketz CC, West Ham Wicketz CC, and Luton Wicketz CC. It was a successful end to three days of excellent cricket using the fantastic facilities at the school.

Manav Patel, Programme Mentor for West Ham Wicketz, said: “Playing at Felsted and using the great pitches was amazing. Cricket is a great sport because we get to meet new people, make new friends and come to places like this so thank you to the Lord’s Taverners and Felsted School for a great three days.”

Lord’s Taverners Cricket Programmes Manager, Henry Hazlewood said: “It has been amazing to see so many new and returning faces at Felsted School this year. The quality of play and the spirit shown has been really pleasing to see and it was fantastic for these youngsters to learn from current pro, Saeed Ajmal.”

Spencer Davis, Business Development & Marketing Director at Gepp & Sons Solicitors LLP and Essex Chairman of Lord's Taverners commented, "it was a very humbling experience seeing so many youngsters have so much fun in the beautiful surroundings of Felsted School". He added "over lunch I asked a young East London lad what would be his memories of the Wicketz Program, and he replied; I have never seen so much open space and made so many new friends". 

If you would like to know more about Lord's Taverners please contact Spencer Davis on 01245 228133 or daviss@gepp.co.uk

The above is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current community/charity projects in the area.