Students get cricket masterclass from former England batter
Students took part in a coaching session at one of the oldest cricket greens in the world as part of a drive to celebrate greater diversity in the game and sport.
Students from Ricards Lodge School in Lake Road, Wimbledon, received a masterclass in cricketing skills on Tuesday by former Surrey, and England opening batter, David Smith, at Mitcham Cricket Club in Mitcham cricket green, Mitcham.
The students were joined by Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, cabinet member for sports and heritage, as part of the councils bid to become London’s Borough Of Sport.
The coaching session comes after a recent damning report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket which said there were ‘deeply rooted and widespread forms of structural and institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination’ across the game.
Cllr Cooper-Marbiah said: “It was a pleasure to see the girls get a top-class coaching session at cricket’s oldest continuously used ground.
“It’s also great to see Mitcham Cricket Club look to the future and encourage more diversity in sport – which is part of our drive to become London’s Borough Of Sport.
“And you never know what results we will reap? It could even help England to dominate the ashes in years to come!”
Kate Page, Headteacher at Ricards Lodge said “We have a thriving and winning cricket tradition at our school and a long history of encouraging our students to engage in all sports beyond the school timetable.
“With increased coverage of women’s sport, including cricket, our girls have become inspired and are cheering on the women’s and men’s team during this year’s Ashes.”
Mitcham Cricket Club were awarded £54,000 from Merton council’s Civic Pride Fund to improve the ground including a new scorebox, sight screens and an artificial pitch to enable more junior cricketers.
Pictured top: Cllr Cooper-Marbiah, in bat for Merton’s bid to become London’s borough of sport with girls from Ricards Lodge School (Picture: Merton council)
