Young cricketers from the MCC Foundation Bradford Hub conquered the home of cricket as they were crowned champions at the MCC Foundation national finals on the weekend.
The Bradford Boys under-16 team took on Wembley Boys for the national title at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground and came out on top. Chasing 128 to win off 20 overs, Bradford Boys won the game by 7 wickets in 17.3 overs (on Saturday, 20 July, 2024).
Their triumph upgraded last year’s runners-up finish after a 12-run loss to Reading Boys.
The Bradford Boys under-16 team beat the Wembley Boys at Lord’s Cricket Ground to bring home the national title.
Maroof Khan, MCC Foundation Bradford Boys Hub Coach said: “It’s fantastic and I’m so proud of everyone.
“It’s such a great occasion for the team, with everyone working so hard to get to the finals.
“This has given them a lot of confidence and it’ll take them on through life.”
In the girls’ competition Bradford girls, who won the title in 2021, took on reigning girls’ champions Guildford – finalists for a third year in a row, with Guilford coming out on top this time.
The MCC Foundation Bradford Hub was the first hub in the history of the programme and competition to provide finalists in the boys and girls competition.
As part of preparation for the finals players received 10-weeks of cricket sessions between January and April at Park Avenue Bradford – which includes a 10-bay all-weather cricket dome.
Maroof said: “The MCC Foundation Hub programme is fantastic, and the 10 weeks of coaching is priceless giving them the opportunity to come regularly and get first class coaching.
“Park Avenue Bradford has provided first-class facilities to the community in the region especially opening their arms in providing access to the cricket dome.”
Yaseen Mohammed, Chair of Park Avenue Bradford, said: “We were delighted to have been able to host the MCC Foundation Bradford Hub and the facilities enabled the cricketers to train and enjoy the game whatever the weather.
“Park Avenue is truly a community hub and hopefully the success will help to engage with even more cricketers from our surrounding areas.”
Pictured, local cricketers using the state-of-the-art outdoor cricket dome facility at Bradford Park Avenue.
The finals day represented the culmination of the annual competition run alongside the MCC Foundation’s flagship National Hub programme, which provides free-to-access coaching and match-play to 4,700 state-educated boys and girls, at 126 centres across the country.
Since launching in 2012 over 20,000 youngsters have taken part in the programme which consists of 10 weeks of cricket sessions between January and April which is then followed by a national competition with the boys and girls’ finals played on the main pitch at Lord’s.
An extra £1 million of funding which includes £500,000 from MCC, (match funded by ECB) has seen the number of Hubs grow from 77 to 126 this year with plans to increase to 150 Hubs and over 5,000 participants next year to give more young people from hard-to-reach communities opportunities to play cricket and access the talent pathway. This year’s programme has also seen a 53% increase in female players.
Pictured, Bradford girls, who won the title in 2021, in to bat against reigning girls’ champions Guildford at Lord’s Cricket Ground at finals day.
Phillip Hodson, Deputy Chair for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and former Chair of the MCC Foundation, said: “The work of the MCC Bradford Hub team has been nothing short of outstanding.
“It’s everyone’s dream as a kid to play at Lord’s and for them to be able to do that is very special.
“Everyone deserves that chance, and it is great to see the Bradford teams making the most of it, taking their opportunity and doing well.”
Players interested in taking part in next year’s MCC Foundation Hubs programme can find out more at www.lords.org/mcc/mcc-foundation
