Chance to Shine - Project Visit
As the Ashes kicked off with a bang in Birmingham, Chance to Shine continued to widen grassroot participation in cricket and build inclusive communities where it matters most. Week in, week out. All over the country.
Jane and Archie had an inspiring visit to the Chance to Shine Street project in Oadby, Leicestershire in June.
Chance to Shine’s Street projects brings cricket to thousands of young people who traditionally face barriers to getting active. The Henry Sale Foundation has sponsored the Oadby and Soar Valley Street projects in Leicestershire over the past 6 years. This is having a real impact to the community just half an hour from Market Harborough and Henry’s old head office at Fisher German. The funds donated to Chance to Shine have covered equipment and running costs to provide free weekly sessions for boys and girls aged 5 - 14 throughout the year.
Left to Right: Charlie from Chance to Shine, Nafeesa and her team of helpers, Archie from Henry Sale Foundation
Impact over the last 12 months
54 free cricket sessions held
83 unique participants
60% girls and 40% boys
7 different ethnic backgrounds coming together
(Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Arab, Black African, Mixed White)
“Many of these children wouldn’t be able to come if there was a cost.”
A big thank you to chance to shine coach, Nafeesa
The key to success in the Oadby project has been the brilliant people involved, led by Nafeesa. Teacher at the local school, secretary at the local mosque, parent and foster parent - Nafeesa is a true local hero. And she fits this in while doing a teaching masters, and while her husband run the local football team!
Nafeesa encourages all the family to join, getting older and younger brothers, sisters, dads and mums (even innocent bystanders !) running about and laughing in sessions. She says building a dialogue with families strengthens their relationship with the Street projects, and helps her spot issues, and sort them, sooner. Whether that’s access getting to sessions (transport is a real barrier to sports participation) or behavioural issues to be aware of both during or outside of sessions ( Chance to Shine is closely linked with to local social workers).
Nafeesa uses her many different positions to champion inclusion and promote activity. When we asked her how she fits it all in, she replied “When i moved here 29 years ago i didn’t speak a word of English. And i thought- well you can’t just sit around all day!”
Nafeesa certainly isn’t sitting around! A genuine community builder and role model, we think she’s an inspiration.
Thank you Chance to Shine and Nafeesa!
A happy Street participant!