Former England fast‑bowling star Chris Woakes has publicly endorsed two fresh initiatives launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that aim to embed cricket more deeply within the nation’s state‑funded secondary schools. The schemes – titled "Cricket For Teachers" and "Secondary Countdown Cricket" – are designed to reach roughly 3,500 educators and more than 1,700 state secondary schools, with the long‑term goal of having cricket present in over half of all such institutions by the close of 2028.
The Cricket For Teachers project is a completely free professional development programme for physical‑education teachers. Its purpose is to equip teachers with the confidence, practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to run high‑quality cricket sessions that cater to pupils of any ability level.
Schools that sign up will receive a package that includes specialised training workshops, a suite of teaching resources, essential cricket equipment and ongoing mentorship from ECB staff. The overarching ambition is to help each participating school develop a sustainable cricket culture that can thrive long after the initial support has been delivered.
Woakes, a two‑time World Cup champion with England who amassed 217 international caps across all formats before announcing his retirement from the international game in 2025, explained why the initiative resonates with him personally. "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.
He added that the new programmes would open doors for countless children who have never before held a bat or ball. "The more opportunities we can provide in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our game will be," he affirmed.
In tandem with the teacher‑training component, the ECB is also rolling out Secondary Countdown Cricket, a mass‑participation soft‑ball competition aimed at pupils aged 11 to 16. The competition is structured to give students regular, competitive match experience while also ensuring that schools have the necessary equipment, coaching support and organisational resources to run the events smoothly. By focusing on soft‑ball – a format that requires less space and equipment than the traditional hard‑ball game – the ECB hopes to lower entry barriers and make the sport more approachable for schools with limited facilities. Funding for both programmes will cover the cost of training sessions, the provision of cricket kits, instructional materials and the logistical support needed to organise inter‑school tournaments.
This financial backing is intended to guarantee that schools do not have to shoulder the expense of establishing a cricket programme, thereby encouraging wider participation across diverse socio‑economic backgrounds. Richard Thompson, the chair of the ECB, highlighted the strategic significance of the initiatives within the broader State School Action Plan. "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." He emphasised that the ECB’s vision is not merely to increase participation numbers but to foster a genuine love for the game that can translate into lifelong involvement, whether as players, coaches, volunteers or enthusiastic supporters. The launch of these programmes comes at a time when cricket, like many other sports, is seeking to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional strongholds.
By targeting state schools – which serve a highly diverse student body – the ECB aims to ensure that cricket is no longer perceived as a niche pastime confined to private schools or affluent communities. Instead, the sport is being positioned as an inclusive, community‑focused activity that can thrive in any schoolyard.
In practical terms, teachers who enroll in the Cricket For Teachers programme will first attend a series of workshops led by experienced ECB coaches. These sessions cover everything from basic batting and bowling techniques to lesson‑planning strategies that integrate cricket into broader physical‑education curricula.
Teachers will also receive digital resource packs containing video tutorials, age‑appropriate drills, safety guidelines and assessment tools to track student progress. Once the training phase is complete, schools will be supplied with cricket kits that typically include soft‑ball sets, wickets, protective gear and portable nets. The ECB will assign a regional liaison officer to each school, providing ongoing advice, troubleshooting assistance and opportunities for teachers to network with peers across the country. This support network is intended to sustain momentum and prevent the programme from losing steam after the initial rollout.
Meanwhile, the Secondary Countdown Cricket competition will run on an annual calendar, culminating in regional finals and a national showcase event. Schools will be grouped into local clusters to minimise travel demands, and matches will be scheduled during regular PE lessons or after‑school sessions. The competition format encourages teamwork, sportsmanship and strategic thinking, while also offering a fun, competitive outlet for students who may not otherwise have access to organized sport.
Overall, the combined effect of these initiatives is expected to be transformative. By empowering teachers, providing essential equipment, and creating a structured competitive environment, the ECB hopes to embed cricket into the everyday lives of thousands of young people. As Chris Woakes poignantly noted, the experiences he enjoyed as a schoolboy were pivotal in shaping his cricketing career; replicating those moments for a new generation could well ensure that the sport continues to flourish across England and Wales for decades to come.