"Delivering an England player would be the ultimate reward for the ACE Programme"

NICK HOWSON speaks to Daren Mootoo about the growth of the African-Caribbean Engagement strategy, founded by Ebony Rainford-Brent and Surrey in 2020, and the areas for further development

Producing an England player would be "a pinnacle moment" and has been described as a medium-term goal for the ACE Programme.

Set up by Surrey and founded by England World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent in January 2020 to increase cricket opportunities for members of the African-Caribbean community, more than 6,000 kids have benefitted from the work of the charity

It came in response to damaging statistics regarding the decline of black British professional players by 75 per cent and a participation rate among youngsters of 5.2 per cent aged between five and 16 between 2017 and 2019.

From launching as an independent charity status last October after earning Sport England funding, expanding across seven English cities and partnering with the England and Wales Cricket Board, Royal London and New Balance, it has been an exhilarating ride for the programme.

But the most significant moment might still be to come.

"When someone strides out in an England shirt having been a product of ACE that will be a pinnacle moment," said Daren Mootoo, speaking on behalf of the ACE Programme. "That is probably a medium-term goal, I'd say.

"It takes a lot to get there. To ascend to that level, with the best will in the world, doesn't happen overnight.

"To make that a reality is the support network and the fact that we can come to the Kia Oval and train in the indoor centre.

"It isn't in a park with jumpers and a sports bag for stumps. We are already seeing kids who are responding to that. I think it will happen and that will be the ultimate reward. But one step at a time."

Once the scheme has achieved full national buy-in - Surrey, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Middlesex, Kent and Essex are all involved - there are hopes for an international roll-out.

"This model can fit in various places," added Mootoo, speaking during the T20 Blast match between Surrey and Glamorgan while the ACE Programme was being hosted from Kia's Best Seats in the House.

"It is just about encouraging people to get involved in cricket. People who feel they can't get involved because it is an expensive sport or they just don't feel welcome playing it.

"You can roll this out if you want and can replicate it anywhere in the world and I think that will be the next stage."

^{Ebony Rainford-Brent's passion has been the driving force behind the programme (Getty Images/Ben Hoskins)}

Cricket isn't without schemes to improve participation. Chance to Shine, Dynamos, All Stars and the South Asian Action Plan have all proved successful to varying degrees. But it is ACE's targeted approach that underlines its success. They expect 10,000 young cricketers to be passing through their talent ID programme each year and more than 40,000 to participate in their school schemes annually.

"This was very targeted in who it was going after," Mootoo stated. "It is partly to do with the decline of the fortunes of the West Indies.

"As those players have dwindled, in the UK especially cricket is in a heavy market space. Football is a huge donating factor. Whatever school you go to you are being encouraged to do as many sports as possible.

"Cricket had slid away as schools have sold off their playing fields - you need space to play cricket.

"This is what is being addressed. Ebony Rainford-Brent's energy is great and it feeding through on others. There was a clear goal identified."

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