NFL charity boss will oversee county's project to improve participation across traditional heartlands in the capital
Middlesex have charged a former director of Arsenal's charity with increasing participation in cricket across the club's traditional heartlands in London – including in state schools.
Will Stone has been unveiled as chair of the county's new charity foundation, Middlesex in the Community.
Stone’s appointment comes after the foundation, which will provide cricket-related programmes in 17 London Boroughs that are traditionally part of Middlesex, was granted charitable status.
He was previously a director of Arsenal Football Club's Foundation and is currently the head of corporate social responsibility strategy for NFL UK, where he has led the creation and expansion of the American football league's first international charitable arm in the form of the NFL Foundation UK.
Stone, pictured, said of his appointment: "It is with great excitement that I join Middlesex in the Community as chair. It is my strong belief that cricket can play a significant role in the lives of many across Middlesex.
"I look forward to working with my fellow trustees and the wider team, to ensure that MITC offers programmes that are welcoming to all and create positive impact for everyone involved in cricket in our Middlesex communities."
Middlesex chair Richard Sykes added: "I am delighted that Will has agreed to become chair of Middlesex Cricket's charitable foundation and I look forward to working with him to increase and broaden the participation in cricket across Middlesex."
Middlesex have appointed Will Stone as chair of their charitable foundation (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Middlesex in the Community is a wholly-owned, independently-governed subsidiary of Middlesex County Cricket Club.
Its objectives are to promote community participation and engagement in cricket by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities such as land, buildings and equipment, as well as activities that promote health, education, community development and recreational sport.
The charity will also offer grant assistance to organisations aiming to improve participation in the sport, champion greater access to cricket opportunities for underrepresented and increase the number of state schools engaged with cricket via coaching, teacher training and engagement offers.
The announcement comes after The Cricketer revealed this morning that James Anderson is set to form part of a task force aiming to revive cricket in state schools.
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