It was the first year they had entered the competition, but Christ Church primary school managed to reach the final of the Capital Kids Cricket tournament – and win the “Spirit of Cricket award” (in recognition of being the most sporting, fair and good natured team to take part in the whole competition). Two hundred and seventy-five teams had entered the competition, and only eight attended the final, held at Lord’s cricket ground.
Capital Kids Cricket was formed just over 20 years ago when a group of volunteers decided to take action to save the game. Cricket was only being taught in some 20 of the 800 state primary schools in inner London. The volunteers’ efforts have turned this round, and cricket is now played in over half the capital’s state primary schools.
Thousands of children have been involved in the CKC League, with several current County players having participated in their early years. Ravi Bopara, who has played for England, is just one of the professional players who took part in KCK.
CKC is supported by the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, the Lord’s Taverners, British Land plc, Sportsmatch. It relies on smaller donations from many other sponsors and on staff and coaches whose efforts keep cricket alive in schools.
It is tremendous that Tower Hamlets has made its mark on this competition and even better that a Tower Hamlets school won the “spirit of cricket” award. There are a number of local businesses which could join the sponsors of CKC and keep our borough at the top of the League.
For more information, visiti www.capitalkidscricket.co.uk.