Surrey today announced a scholarship programme in a bid to “break down barriers” by giving opportunities to youngsters from the local black community.
The African-Caribbean Engagement Programme (ACE) will host free open days at the Kia Oval in March, aimed at 11 to 18-year-old boys and girls. Selected participants will then begin a scholarship programme, providing Level 3 ECB-qualified cricket coaching, sports science and personal development education, equipment and travel grants, as well as the opportunity to meet inspirational role models.
In county cricket in 2019, there were just nine black players, down from 33 25 years earlier. Only one per cent of recreational cricketers are black.
Former England international and Surrey’s director of women’s cricket, Ebony Rainford-Brent, said: “There is no doubt that there has been a lack of engagement with the local black community in our sport for some time and now is a thrilling time to start rebuilding those links.”
