Lansdown Cricket Club proudly hosted the second annual All Bath Schools Cricket Tournament on 18 June, bringing together nearly 100 girls and boys from across the city for a day of competitive, inclusive and inspiring cricket.

This unique initiative brought together students from both state and independent schools, with all 12 Bath schools represented. Players were organised into six mixed teams of 10, creating an environment that encouraged new friendships, collaboration and a shared passion for the game across different educational backgrounds.

Each team played five matches throughout the day, with the combined Hayesfield Girls’ School and Monkton Combe School side emerging as worthy champions after a series of strong performances. Last year’s winners, a combined Oldfield and Kingswood team, finished in second place following another impressive showing.

The Deputy Mayor of Bath, Councillor Onkar Saini, attended the event and presented medals to all participating players, recognising both their effort and sportsmanship.
Trophies were awarded by Stephen Chalke, distinguished cricket author and Chairman of the West of England Cricket Society, adding further prestige to the occasion.

At a time when cricket participation in state schools remains limited both locally and nationally, the festival highlighted the positive impact the sport can have. Combining fun, fitness and teamwork, cricket offers young people valuable opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and form lasting connections—both on and off the field.

Recognising the importance of widening access, Lansdown Cricket Club has taken further proactive steps this summer by sending Somerset’s Young Coach of the Year 2025, Ella Worthington, into four state schools to deliver coaching sessions and inspire the next generation of cricketers.

Now in its second year, the festival continues to strengthen collaboration across Bath’s education sector and wider community. As part of this growing partnership, Kingswood School has made its sports pitches available free of charge to Lansdown’s junior teams—helping to ease pressure on facilities and supporting the development of grassroots cricket.

Festival organiser David Dolman, on behalf of Lansdown Cricket Club, reflected on the initiative. “There is a huge difference in opportunities to play cricket depending on whether a child is educated privately or in the state system, and this is patently unfair. Many of our state primary schools and some secondaries have no facilities at all. The Lansdown initiative is helping in a small way to redress the imbalance, with enthusiastic support from the schools involved and several generous sponsors—without whom this simply wouldn’t happen.”