Former England fast‑bowler Chris Woakes has publicly endorsed two fresh initiatives launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that aim to embed cricket more firmly within the nation’s state‑funded secondary schools. The schemes – known as “Cricket For Teachers” and “Secondary Countdown Cricket” – are part of a broader strategy to bring the sport to more than 3,500 educators and over 1,700 state secondary schools across England and Wales by the close of 2028. The Cricket For Teachers programme is a completely free professional development course designed specifically for physical‑education teachers.
Its purpose is to equip them with the confidence, practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to deliver high‑quality cricket sessions to pupils of every ability level. By offering a blend of classroom‑based instruction, hands‑on coaching drills and a suite of ready‑to‑use teaching resources, the ECB hopes to create a sustainable cricket culture that can thrive in schools without relying on external volunteers or specialist coaches. Schools that sign up for the initiative will receive a package that includes bespoke training workshops, a digital library of lesson plans, equipment kits (such as bats, balls, stumps and protective gear) and ongoing mentorship from experienced cricket professionals.
The aim is to ensure that once a teacher has completed the course, they can continue to run regular cricket activities year after year, gradually building a pipeline of young players who might otherwise never have encountered the game. Woakes, who was a key member of England’s World Cup‑winning squads in 2019 and 2022 and amassed 217 international caps across Test, ODI and T20 formats before retiring from the international scene in 2025, spoke passionately about the value of early exposure to cricket.
He said, “I was fortunate enough to discover my love of cricket through opportunities at school and in my local community, and I know how important those experiences can be for young people.” He went on to stress that many children still grow up without ever having held a bat or bowled a ball, and that the new programmes could change that reality. “The more opportunities we can provide in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our game will be,” Woakes added. His endorsement underscores the belief that grassroots engagement, especially within the state education sector, is essential for the long‑term health of the sport. By targeting the state school system – which educates the overwhelming majority of young people in England and Wales – the ECB hopes to widen participation beyond the traditionally cricket‑centric private schools and affluent communities.
In parallel with the teacher‑focused training, the ECB is also rolling out the Secondary Countdown Cricket competition. This is a mass‑participation soft‑ball tournament aimed at pupils aged 11 to 16. The competition is structured as a countdown, with schools earning points for participation, skill development and sportsmanship, ultimately culminating in a national final that showcases the best emerging talent.
Funding for the competition will cover the provision of soft‑ball kits, coaching manuals and the logistical support needed to organise inter‑school matches, ensuring that even schools with limited resources can take part. Richard Thompson, the chair of the ECB, explained the strategic importance of these programmes. “When we launched the State School Action Plan, we made a commitment to create more opportunities for young people from every background to experience cricket,” he said.
“This launch is an important step in delivering that commitment. State schools educate the vast majority of young people in England and Wales, so if we are serious about making cricket the most inclusive team sport in the country, we must ensure those schools have the support they need.” Thompson continued, “Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket will help remove barriers, build confidence among teachers and give hundreds of thousands more young people the opportunity to enjoy everything our sport has to offer.” The ECB’s investment reflects a recognition that accessibility – both in terms of physical equipment and in terms of knowledge – is the key to unlocking broader participation.
Beyond the immediate benefits of increased playtime, the programmes are expected to deliver ancillary advantages. Regular engagement with cricket can improve pupils’ hand‑eye coordination, teamwork, strategic thinking and overall physical fitness.
For teachers, the training offers professional development credits and a new repertoire of activities to diversify their PE curricula. Moreover, by embedding cricket into the daily routine of schools, the ECB hopes to nurture a generation of fans and potential players who view the sport as an integral part of their community life.
The rollout will begin with a pilot phase in selected regions, after which data on participation rates, teacher feedback and student enjoyment will be collected. This evidence will guide refinements before the full national rollout is completed by 2028.
Schools that join early will receive priority access to equipment shipments and may be invited to showcase their success stories at ECB events. In summary, Chris Woakes’s public support highlights the personal relevance of the ECB’s new outreach efforts.
By delivering free, high‑quality training for teachers and creating a vibrant, inclusive competition for pupils, the Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket initiatives aim to transform the landscape of school sport. If successful, they will not only broaden the base of cricket participation but also reinforce the sport’s reputation as a unifying, inclusive pastime for all children, regardless of background or prior exposure to the game.