Howzat! EHRC teams with ECB to boost diversity in cricket

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has teamed up with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to get thousands of women, girls and people from ethnic minority backgrounds involved in cricket.

This is part of a new initiative which also aims to provide better access to cricket grounds for disabled people.

The Commission’s initiative aims to address low participation from diverse groups in cricket by promoting best practice on how to tackle discriminatory behaviour across all functions and services and ensuring teams and spectators reflect their communities.

These objectives will be achieved by cricket clubs taking specific actions such as running sports camps for women, girls and ethnic minorities, recruiting more staff to run sessions from those groups, providing support and mentorship for these groups, and linking in with schools, local authorities and regional sports boards to promote their activities and encourage participation.

The Commission’s funding (£450,000) will help ECB recruit 540 new ethnic minority coaches, provide opportunities for 7,500 women and girls to play cricket across 100 cricket clubs and audit 16 first class county cricket grounds for disability access.

Chris Holmes, former champion Paralympic swimmer and Disability Commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Cricket is a fantastic way of bringing people together whatever their backgrounds and providing great health benefits. Everyone should have the same opportunity to get involved in the game regardless of their ability, gender or social background.

“Big and small clubs are uniquely placed to help tackle inequality in sports due to their links into local communities. Sport inspires young people, and not just with dreams of becoming an athlete; it can influence how they approach everyday decisions and equip them with life-changing skills."
 

Picture credit: © Albund | Dreamstime.com - Cricket Wickets Photo