Positively impact young people through cricket by supporting the Lord's Taverners charity

Why you should back the Tavs in their 75th anniversary year

CHARITY FEATURE

Cricket's power to unite, educate and inspire is woven into the fabric of our schools. It builds character, fosters teamwork, and teaches resilience – qualities that go far beyond just playing the game. For the Lord's Taverners charity, these same values lie at the heart of their mission: to empower young people living with a disability and from disadvantaged communities to reach their potential through cricket.

As cricket-focused schools, you're not only shaping the next generation of players but also the next generation of leaders, coaches and community role models. Partnering with the Lord's Taverners offers a unique opportunity to use your school's cricketing excellence to help others access the game – and in doing so, deepen your own pupils' sense of purpose and connection to the wider cricketing family.

Here's how your school, your players and your community can get involved and make a genuine difference.

Host and support inclusive cricket programmes

The Lord's Taverners run several innovative, nationwide programmes that open the doors of cricket to every young person – regardless of background or ability:

Wicketz – A community cricket programme bringing the game to young people living in disadvantaged communities. Wicketz goes beyond coaching: it teaches teamwork, respect, and resilience, using cricket as a tool for personal and social development.

Super 1s – Designed for young people aged 12–25 living with a disability, Super 1s provides regular coaching and competition, building confidence, friendships and life skills through cricket.

Cricket in SEND Schools – One of the charity's fastest-growing initiatives, bringing inclusive coaching, equipment and training directly to special educational needs and disability (SEND) schools. Sessions are adapted to ensure participants get the chance to engage in the most appropriate form of cricket (softball or table cricket) and raise awareness of their nearest Super 1s hub to encourage participation in the game outside of their school setting.

^{Fettes School in Edinburgh host a weekly Wicketz hub}

Your school could make a significant impact by offering your facilities for one of these programmes, hosting a Wicketz or Super 1s festival, or becoming a hub location. By opening your grounds to more inclusive cricket, you extend the spirit of the game well beyond your own community.

Fettes College, Repton and Millfield School have all hosted Wicketz programme activity in recent years and reaped the rewards.

You could also offer support to help the Lord’s Taverners achieve its wider outcomes through their programmes. For example, could someone connected with the school run a life skills workshop at a nearby project? 

Fundraise through cricket and creativity

Fundraising for the Lord's Taverners doesn't need to be complicated – and it can easily be woven into your cricketing calendar. Schools have hosted imaginative events that combine competition with community spirit, including:

• Charity fixtures between staff and pupils, alumni teams, or parents, with proceeds supporting the charity.
• House tournaments or cricket festivals where entry fees and sponsorship go directly to the Lord's Taverners.
• 24-hour nets challenges, bat-athons or marathon matches that capture attention and encourage participation across the school.
• Sports dinners or auctions featuring donated memorabilia or guest speakers, with a percentage of funds supporting the charity's programmes.

Every pound raised helps deliver coaching and inclusive cricket opportunities to thousands of young people. And every fundraising event builds awareness, empathy and pride within your own school community.

We have cricket programme activity taking place in every English county, Scotland and Wales. We can clearly showcase and demonstrate the impact your funding or potential partnership has in your local area, via stats and case studies.

Empower pupil leadership and volunteering

Partnership with the Lord's Taverners also creates exciting opportunities for student leadership and personal development. Pupils can:

• Serve as Lord's Taverners ambassadors, leading school events, fundraising drives or inclusion initiatives.
• Volunteer at local Super 1s or Wicketz sessions, assisting coaches and supporting programme participants.
• Engaging with Lord's Taverners cricket programme hubs is an incredible opportunity for pupils to learn about the challenges some young people face, different communities and the importance of inclusive behaviours and environments in wider society.

These experiences strengthen key skills – teamwork, communication, empathy and initiative – while grounding cricket in the values that make it more than just a game.

^{Millfield School hosted a boys' Wicketz residential this summer}

Build a long-term partnership

Many leading schools are choosing to formalise their relationship with the Lord's Taverners through ongoing partnerships. You could:

• Host an annual Lord's Taverners inclusive cricket festival or a regional Table Cricket competition.
• Invite a Lord's Taverners speaker or ambassador to address assemblies or prize days.
• Engage alumni and parents through charity lunches, golf days or sponsorship opportunities in support of the Lord's Taverners.

A long-term collaboration allows your school to make a sustained impact while enriching its cricketing identity and outreach portfolio.

Showcase your impact

Schools that partner with the Lord's Taverners find that the benefits go both ways. Pupils gain leadership and volunteering experience, staff connect with a powerful national network, and the school's name becomes associated with tangible social impact.

Publicising your involvement through your website, social media, newsletters or open days not only inspires others to contribute but also demonstrates your school's commitment to the values of inclusion, generosity and community leadership that cricket embodies.

^{Life skills workshop}

^{Repton School hosted a girls' Wicketz residential}

A call to action

The Lord's Taverners' vision is clear: a future where every young person – regardless of background or ability – has the opportunity to fulfil their potential through cricket. If you're reading this, you're brilliantly placed to help make that vision a reality.

By opening your doors, sharing your expertise, and using your influence, you can help give every young person facing the challenges of inequality the opportunity to play cricket and enjoy all its personal development benefits.

To explore partnership opportunities, or to get involved with fundraising, hosting or volunteering, visit www.lordstaverners.org or email the charity via contact@lordstaverners.org.

Together, we can ensure cricket continues to change lives – one game, one school, and one young person at a time.

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