Lord's Taverners: Wicketz Community Impact

Zaki and Sara talk about how Wicketz programme delivered by Hampshire Cricket Board has impacted them and their family

Wicketz is a free community programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners charity and delivered in conjunction with county boards and foundations. Using cricket as a tool for social change, Wicketz supports young people through cricket living in areas of deprivation.

Through weekly sessions and life skill workshops in areas of most need, it seeks to promote positive futures and healthier, more cohesive communities. Integration and inclusion are key focus areas (with representation from over 30 ethnic communities), bringing together participants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Two young people who have benefited greatly from Wicketz are Zaki (16) and Sara (17), who are brother and sister. They attend Wicketz sessions delivered by the Hampshire Cricket Board and below they talk about how Wicketz has impacted them and their family since they first attended weekly sessions.

How did you first find out about Wicketz?

Zaki: It was in 2019 during the World Cup. We made our way to the World Cup fanzone at West Quay. We met Sam Moss (the Southampton Wicketz Development Officer at the time) there and signed up for Wicketz there and then!

Sara: I heard about Wicketz through my brother Zaki. The sessions he was attending moved to Zoom during lockdown in 2020 and I began to attend these as well and it went from there.

What convinced you to attend a session?

Zaki: Sam really excited me about the sessions when we first spoke about Wicketz and it presented an opportunity to play cricket which I didn’t have before. I signed up for the sessions that took place in St Mary’s.

Sara: Initially I used to go and watch my brother play and I found myself drawn to Wicketz due to the sense of community. This ultimately led me to joining sessions myself, firstly on Zoom in lockdown and then at the Mayfield hub, despite never having played before.

^{The Lord’s Taverners charity Wicketz sessions are delivered by the Hampshire Cricket Board (Lord's Taverners)}

What is it that you like about Wicketz?

Zaki: Wicketz has provided me with tremendous opportunities to play cricket in great venues. I’ve made lots of friends and it allows me to play in a relaxed environment.

Sara: I really enjoy having the opportunity to play cricket locally in the inner city of Southampton. I love the progression within Wicketz which has enabled me to progress to hardball cricket, club cricket and coaching. Without Wicketz I would never have begun to play cricket.

How has being involved in Wicketz helped you develop as a person?

Zaki: I’ve had the opportunities to develop and obtain key life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and empathy. The diversity and inclusion workshop I attended at the 2022 Wicketz Festival at Malvern College was particularly eye-opening and it actually led to me and my friend Hamza (also on the Wicketz programme) delivering a workshop ourselves at a Wicketz festival this year.

Sara: Wicketz has helped me to develop a variety of skills beyond cricket. Taking opportunities at Wicketz has made me feel more confident in applying the same skills in other aspects of life.

How important is a programme like Wicketz in helping making the game available to all?

Sara: Wicketz is vital to ensuring that everyone has access to cricket as it focuses on areas that have barriers to participating and removes them, allowing people from all backgrounds to play.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Zaki: My ambition is to get my coaching qualifications and give back to the programme and community, continuing with Wicketz and hopefully positively impacting more lives as Wicketz did to mine. 

To find out more, please visit Lord's Taverners website.

This article features in our December 2023 magazine. To read the full version, get a copy of the magazine click here