CKC Statement on the ICEC Report on Equity in CricketMedia Alert: Spokespeople Available to Comment on Equity in Cricket ReportRequest for Comment:07748 114811 — CEO07980 837502 — Founder Trustee, Hay...
Request for Comment:
07748 114811 — CEO
07980 837502 — Founder Trustee, Haydn Turner
Capital Kids Cricket (CKC) has been fighting discrimination for the past 34 years. Established to overcome societal challenges and empower young people, the charity welcomes the findings of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which identified structural racism, sexism, and elitism within English and Welsh cricket.
Capital Kids Cricket welcomes the ICEC report and will take its recommendations into account across our current and future projects. Through initiatives such as the Bowl Out Racism campaign, we remain committed to tackling all forms of discrimination within cricket and wider society.
As we have done since 1989, we will continue working to ensure that cricket is a game for everyone.
We are proud to deliver projects that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, while recognising that there is always more work to be done. We look forward to working with the wider cricket community to support the England and Wales Cricket Board's efforts to create a cricket "reset" and build a more inclusive game.
“Our work in London over the last 34 years has shown us that, with the right focus, funding, and commitment, we can meet the goal of making cricket one of the most equitable sports. Watched by millions, cricket has the potential not only to encourage sport and fitness but also to develop team spirit and a sense of community. We see this every day through the grassroots programmes we successfully operate across 20 London boroughs.”
— Nasser Hussain OBE, President of CKC
“We are saddened but not surprised by today's findings from the ICEC. Cricket should be a game for all. The great work being done by the England men's and women's teams to make cricket an entertaining sport to watch needs to be matched by systemic work across all institutions to truly make it a sport for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or social status. We saw this diversity at our World Cricket Festival, which was attended by representatives of 58 nationalities and 64 language groups.”
— Shahidul Alam Ratan, CEO of CKC
“I am proud to see that Capital Kids Cricket has already been implementing and following all relevant recommendations from the ICEC report, giving us further confidence in the work we are delivering. We have fought discrimination for 34 years, organised cricket across hundreds of London's diverse communities, and encouraged boys and girls from all backgrounds to play cricket.”
— Haydn Turner, Founder Trustee of CKC and MCC Member
CKC is a youth development charity that works to improve the social, emotional, and physical development of children, young people, and families across London.
We are one of the UK's most diverse cricket organisations, delivering a wide range of projects across London and the Southeast, including:
Programmes in 113 locations across 20 London boroughs, reaching more than 8,000 children each year.
Programmes supporting more than 2,500 women and girls annually.
Sports lessons for children in six London hospitals, including Great Ormond Street Hospital School.
Support for 12 refugee camps in Lebanon, working with displaced boys and girls.
In 2023, CKC launched its Clubs in Need Programme, providing bespoke support to cricket clubs facing challenges related to outreach, coaching, volunteers, and parental engagement.
Capital Kids Cricket was established in 1989 by Haydn Turner and Bill Greaves, two accomplished businessmen, friends, and lifelong cricket supporters. They wanted to address the lack of cricket opportunities in London and help regenerate cricket in schools.
By 1991, CKC had gained momentum and joined forces with initiatives focused on establishing cricket in schools, including the London Schools' Cricket Association (LCCA) and the London Schools Cricket Project (LSCP). Together, these organisations were operating across 19 London boroughs.
The mission has remained consistent since 1989. While CKC's work has evolved beyond schools across London, the charity now also delivers initiatives in hospitals and supports refugees both in the UK and Lebanon.
CKC remains committed to using cricket to unify people regardless of their social or cultural differences and bring communities together through sport.