Former England fast‑bowling all‑rounder 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‑run secondary schools. The projects – known as "Cricket For Teachers" and "Secondary Countdown Cricket" – are designed to reach roughly 3,500 teachers and more than 1,700 state secondary schools, with the overarching goal of having cricket present in over half of all state‑funded secondary schools by the close of 2028. Cricket For Teachers is a no‑cost professional development scheme targeted at physical‑education teachers. Its purpose is to equip educators with the confidence, practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to deliver engaging, high‑quality cricket sessions to pupils of any ability level.
Schools that sign up for the programme will be supplied with a suite of resources, including lesson‑plan templates, coaching manuals, equipment kits and ongoing mentorship from experienced cricket coaches. The idea is to create a self‑sustaining cricket culture within each participating school, so that the sport can thrive long after the initial training period has ended.
Woakes, who was a member of England’s two World Cup‑winning squads and amassed 217 international caps across Test, ODI and T20 formats before retiring from the international game in 2025, explained why the initiative resonates with him personally. "I was lucky enough to discover my passion for cricket through opportunities that were offered at school and within my local community, and I understand how pivotal those experiences can be for young people," he said. He added that the new programmes would bring the game to children who may never have held a bat or ball before. "The more chances we can create in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our sport will become," Woakes asserted.
In parallel with the teacher‑training element, the ECB is rolling out Secondary Countdown Cricket, a mass‑participation soft‑ball competition aimed at pupils aged 11 to 16. This competition is intended to be inclusive and low‑pressure, encouraging schools to field teams regardless of prior cricket experience. Funding attached to the competition will cover the cost of soft‑ball equipment, coaching sessions and the organisation of regional fixtures, thereby lowering financial barriers for schools that might otherwise be unable to offer a cricket programme. Richard Thompson, the chair of the ECB, highlighted the strategic importance of these projects within the broader State School Action Plan.
"When we launched the State School Action Plan, we pledged to create more opportunities for young people from every background to experience cricket," he said. "This launch is a crucial step in fulfilling that promise.
State schools educate the overwhelming 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 in these programmes reflects a growing recognition that cricket’s future depends on widening its base beyond the traditional private‑school strongholds. By focusing on state‑funded schools, the board hopes to tap into a more diverse talent pool, promote physical activity, and foster community cohesion through sport. The provision of free training and equipment also addresses a common obstacle faced by many schools: limited budgets for extracurricular activities.
For teachers, the initiative offers a clear pathway to develop cricket expertise without needing to become a specialist coach. The training modules cover fundamentals such as basic batting and bowling techniques, safety considerations, inclusive game formats, and ways to integrate cricket into broader PE curricula.
Teachers will also gain access to an online portal where they can share best practices, ask questions, and receive updates on upcoming competitions and events. From a student perspective, the Secondary Countdown Cricket competition provides a structured yet enjoyable environment to try the sport. The soft‑ball format reduces the intimidation factor associated with hard‑ball cricket, making it more accessible for beginners while still delivering the core skills of hand‑eye coordination, teamwork and strategic thinking.
Schools will be able to track progress through a points‑based system that rewards participation, sportsmanship and improvement, encouraging a positive, growth‑mindset culture. Overall, the combined effect of these two programmes is expected to generate a ripple effect: more teachers become confident cricket facilitators, more pupils get hands‑on experience, and the sport’s visibility rises within the educational sector. Woakes’ endorsement adds a high‑profile voice to the campaign, underscoring the personal impact that early exposure to cricket can have on a player's development. As the ECB moves forward with its 2028 target, the success of Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket will be measured not only by the number of schools involved but also by the lasting enthusiasm and participation they inspire among the next generation of cricketers.