East London dominates British Land’s Kids Cricket Inclusive League final

Four East London schools made the finals of the British Land’s Kids Cricket Inclusive League held earlier this month at the MCC Indoor Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground. St Luke’s C of E Primary School (Tower Hamlets) and Homeleigh Primary School (Hackney) joined two primary schools from Newham: Essex and Salisbury.
The final showdown was the culmination of an inter-borough competition of 29 teams across London. British Land’s Kids Cricket Inclusive League is a venture between British Land and charity Capital Kids Cricket, designed to open up the game of cricket to those with Special Education Needs.  The competition has encouraged children to learn and grow through sports.  This year it was evident how much the competition has increased the children’s self-confidence, as well as listening skills and focus, something that can be related to the classroom and everyday life.
The final was won by St Aloysius’ Catholic Junior School of Camden, who claimed the trophy after defeating St Saviour’s C of E Primary School (Westminster). The event was attended by parents, coaches, the Madame Speaker of Hackney Council (Councillor Sharon Patrick) and Mike Gatting (MCC President).
Speaking at the event, Chris Grigg, CEO of British Land said: “I would like to congratulate St Aloysius’ Catholic Junior School for taking home the winner’s trophy, and further, congratulate all the schools from across London that took part. Watching the Inclusive League Final today reminds us that sport has the ability to inspire excitement, teamwork and confidence.  It is evident that all young people can learn through sports and the Inclusive League is an opportunity to bring those skills and the Spirit of Cricket directly into schools, and beyond that into everyday life.  We are delighted to be partnered with Capital Kids Cricket for a second successful year, and be able to see how the effort that both the coaches and the children have put in has culminated in such an exciting final’s day.”
Capital Kids Cricket (CKC) was formed by a group of volunteers in 1990 when the alarming disappearance of cricket from the sports curriculum of inner London state primary schools became clear. A savage decline meant only about 20 primary schools – out of more than 800 in the 16 inner London boroughs – were still teaching even the most basic form of cricket. In just 14 years since the birth of Capital Kids Cricket, the huge majority of those 800 primary schools now include the teaching of cricket within the curriculum.
CKC is supported by the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, the Lord’s Taverners, British Land plc, Sportsmatch and many smaller benefactors. In almost every case, volunteers have been found within the teaching staff of every school to keep cricket practice and training sessions going, once the initial equipment and coaching skills have been introduced.