Funding Cuts Threaten Major Cricket Revival in State Schools

A government initiative to inject £35 million into grassroots cricket—targeting a revival in state schools—is reportedly facing serious risks in the upcoming Budget. Insiders at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) informed that the commitment, originally made by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in April, could be scaled back as part of budgetary reductions.

This planned investment, spread over five years, was aimed at expanding access to cricket for students outside the private school system. However, funds previously designated for the ECB were suspended following July’s general election, with no clear timeline for resumption.

In recent weeks, ECB representatives have met with Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy, as well as Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, to address the uncertain future of the initiative. While the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport did not comment directly, sources suggest that further decisions on grassroots sports funding will depend on the spending review outcomes.

Following a critical report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket in 2023, the government acknowledged the ECB’s progress in broadening cricket’s appeal. Yet with Chancellor Rachel Reeves poised to introduce tax increases and budget cuts amounting to £40 billion to address a fiscal deficit, the cricket investment may see significant reductions.

The ECB has been informed that they won’t know the exact funding impacts until spring, when departmental budgets are finalised, although expectations of a major reduction loom. The cuts could delay or even jeopardise key components of the ECB’s 2025-28 strategic plan, ‘Inspiring Generations,’ which relied on the funding to upgrade cricket facilities in state schools across cities and towns.

The vision included establishing 16 cricket domes across England to enable year-round play. A prototype dome opened in Bradford in October 2023 for £1.5 million, with future domes estimated at £300,000 each. Two additional domes are currently being developed in Luton and Walsall, with hopes that these facilities will allow 900,000 young people from urban areas to participate in cricket by 2029. However, without the anticipated funds, the ECB lacks the resources to bridge any resulting gaps in the project’s timeline.

The ECB’s grassroots plan also pledged to provide free cricket training in 500 state secondary schools and upskill PE teachers to deliver cricket lessons. Additionally, it aimed to introduce cricket to 3.5 million children in primary schools and expand opportunities for children with special educational needs. With potential funding cuts, the feasibility of these impactful programs remains uncertain.