Former England fast‑bowling all‑rounder Chris Woakes has publicly thrown his support behind two fresh initiatives launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that aim to embed cricket more deeply within the state school system. The dual scheme – the "Cricket For Teachers" training programme and the "Secondary Countdown Cricket" competition – is designed to reach roughly 3,500 teachers and more than 1,700 secondary schools across England and Wales, with the long‑term goal of having cricket available in over half of all state‑run secondary institutions by the close of 2028.
The cornerstone of the plan, Cricket For Teachers, is a completely free professional development course for physical‑education teachers. Its purpose is to equip teachers with the confidence, practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to deliver high‑quality cricket sessions to pupils of any ability level.
Participants will receive a comprehensive package that includes face‑to‑face training sessions, digital teaching resources, a starter set of cricket equipment and ongoing mentorship from experienced coaches. By providing these tools, the ECB hopes to create a sustainable cricket culture within each school, ensuring that the sport can be taught consistently year after year without reliance on external volunteers. Complementing the teacher‑focused element is the Secondary Countdown Cricket competition, a mass‑participation soft‑ball tournament aimed at pupils aged 11 to 16. The competition is structured as a series of regional fixtures that culminate in a national final, giving young players the chance to experience the excitement of competitive cricket in a supportive environment.
Funding allocated to the competition will cover the cost of soft‑ball kits, portable nets, score‑keeping technology and the logistical support needed to organise matches across a wide geographic area. By lowering the financial and organisational barriers, the ECB intends to make cricket as accessible as football or basketball in the state school sector. Woakes, who enjoyed a distinguished career that included two ICC World Cup triumphs and a total of 217 international caps across Test, ODI and T20 formats, reflected on his own pathway into the sport. "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 said.
His remarks underscore a personal belief that early exposure – whether through a school PE lesson, a community club, or a simple backyard game – can ignite a lifelong passion for cricket. Having announced his retirement from international duty in 2025, Woakes added, "These programmes will help introduce cricket to many more children who may never have picked up a bat and ball before. The more opportunities we can provide in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our game will be." His endorsement carries weight not only because of his on‑field achievements but also because he is now an advocate for grassroots development, using his profile to highlight the importance of equitable access to sport.
The ECB’s chair, Richard Thompson, framed the launch within the broader State School Action Plan, a strategic commitment to broaden cricket’s reach across socio‑economic boundaries. "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. This launch is an important step in delivering that commitment," Thompson explained.
He emphasized that state schools educate the majority of young people in England and Wales, and that ensuring these institutions have the necessary resources is essential if cricket is to become the most inclusive team sport in the country. Both initiatives are funded through a mix of ECB central budgeting, government sport grants and private sponsorship, reflecting a collaborative approach to sport development.
The training component will be delivered by a network of certified coaches who will travel to participating schools, while the competition will be overseen by regional cricket boards that will coordinate fixtures and ensure consistent standards. In practical terms, a school that signs up for Cricket For Teachers can expect an initial workshop lasting two days, during which teachers will learn the fundamentals of batting, bowling, fielding and game‑sense. They will also be introduced to inclusive coaching techniques that accommodate pupils with varying physical abilities. After the workshop, each school receives a kit containing cricket balls, bats, stumps and protective gear, along with a digital library of lesson plans and video tutorials.
Ongoing support includes quarterly webinars, a helpline for troubleshooting, and opportunities to attend advanced coaching courses. The Secondary Countdown Cricket competition, meanwhile, follows a tiered format. Schools first compete within local clusters, with winners progressing to county‑level tournaments and eventually to a national showdown.
The soft‑ball format is deliberately chosen for its lower equipment cost and reduced injury risk, making it ideal for beginners. Scores and player statistics are recorded on a central online platform, allowing participants to track progress and compare performances across the country. By integrating teacher training with a structured competition, the ECB hopes to create a virtuous cycle: confident teachers deliver engaging sessions, which spark student interest, leading to higher participation rates in the competition, which in turn reinforces the value of cricket within the school community. Over time, the programme aims to produce a pipeline of talent that could feed into club cricket, county academies and, ultimately, the national team.
The initiative also aligns with wider public health and social objectives. Regular participation in cricket promotes physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and mental resilience – qualities that are increasingly recognised as essential for young people’s overall development. Moreover, by targeting state schools, the ECB seeks to address historical disparities where cricket has traditionally been more prevalent in private or independent schools.
In summary, Chris Woakes’ endorsement adds a high‑profile voice to the ECB’s ambitious effort to democratise cricket education. Through free teacher training, provision of equipment, and a nationwide soft‑ball competition, the Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket programmes aim to embed the sport in the fabric of state secondary education, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to experience the joy and benefits of playing cricket.