Former England fast‑bowler 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 nation’s state‑run secondary schools. The two schemes – the “Cricket For Teachers” training programme and the “Secondary Countdown Cricket” competition – are designed to reach an ambitious target: to bring cricket into more than 3,500 teachers’ classrooms and over 1,700 state secondary schools by the close of 2028, thereby touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of pupils. The Cricket For Teachers scheme is a completely free professional development course for physical‑education teachers.
Its core purpose is to equip teachers with the confidence, practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to run high‑quality cricket sessions that cater to learners of every ability level. Participating schools will be supplied with a comprehensive package that includes bespoke training sessions, teaching resources, cricket equipment and ongoing advisory support. By providing these tools, the ECB hopes to foster a lasting cricket culture within each school, ensuring that the sport is not just a one‑off activity but a sustainable part of the school’s extracurricular offering.
In parallel, the Secondary Countdown Cricket competition offers a mass‑participation soft‑ball tournament for students aged 11 to 16. The competition is structured to give young people regular, competitive playing opportunities while also delivering the necessary equipment and coaching support to schools that might otherwise lack the resources to run such events. The funding attached to the competition will cover coaching clinics, the provision of soft‑ball kits, and the creation of a clear pathway for schools to organise inter‑school matches, thereby making cricket more approachable and enjoyable for a new generation. Woakes, who celebrated two World Cup victories with England and amassed 217 international caps across all formats before retiring from the international game in 2025, spoke passionately about the personal impact that early exposure to cricket had on his own life.
“I was lucky 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 children who have never held a bat or ball before. “The more opportunities we can provide in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our game will be,” Woakes asserted, emphasizing that widening participation is essential for the sport’s long‑term health.
Richard Thompson, the ECB chair, echoed these sentiments, linking the initiatives to 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,” Thompson explained. “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.” He highlighted that both Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket are intended to remove existing barriers, boost teachers’ confidence, and ultimately give hundreds of thousands more youngsters the chance to enjoy the full spectrum of cricket’s benefits – from physical fitness to teamwork and strategic thinking. The ECB’s strategy reflects a growing recognition that grassroots development must start in the classroom and the schoolyard.
By targeting teachers first, the board hopes to create a multiplier effect: a well‑trained teacher can inspire dozens of students each year, and those students may go on to become players, coaches, or lifelong supporters of the game. Moreover, the inclusion of a soft‑ball competition acknowledges that traditional hard‑ball cricket can be intimidating for beginners; soft‑ball offers a gentler entry point while still teaching core skills such as hand‑eye coordination, fielding techniques, and basic batting fundamentals. Financial backing for the programmes comes from a combination of ECB central funding and partnerships with local authorities and cricket clubs. Schools that sign up will receive a starter kit that typically includes a set of soft‑balls, basic protective gear, portable wickets, and instructional manuals aligned with the national curriculum.
In addition, teachers will have access to a digital learning platform that provides video tutorials, lesson plans, and assessment tools to track student progress. Beyond the immediate educational benefits, the ECB believes that expanding cricket’s reach in state schools will have broader social implications. Increased participation can help address issues such as youth inactivity, social exclusion, and lack of community cohesion.
By offering a sport that emphasizes respect, fair play, and collective effort, schools can use cricket as a vehicle for character development and for fostering a sense of belonging among diverse student populations. In summary, Chris Woakes’ endorsement adds a high‑profile voice to the ECB’s push to democratise cricket across England and Wales. With the combined force of teacher training and a nationwide soft‑ball competition, the board aims to embed cricket into the daily lives of millions of young people, ensuring that the sport remains vibrant, inclusive, and accessible for generations to come.