Lansdown Cricket Club, the oldest in Somerset, is marking its 200th anniversary with a major milestone—receiving a £3,300 grant from Sport England, funded by the National Lottery, to support its growing schools cricket programme.

This funding has enabled the club to deliver free cricket coaching to four Bath state schools - Oldfield School, Oldfield Junior, Newbridge, and Weston All Saints - throughout the summer term. Sessions have taken place both during curriculum time and after school, led by qualified coaches, with some fixtures and training hosted at Lansdown’s own ground, offered free of charge.

The programme has already made a significant difference. In a review from Oldfield School, Head of PE Russell Driver shared:

“We have seen a significant increase in student participation and enthusiasm for cricket. The programme has opened up wider opportunities and clear pathways into club cricket, while also providing access to excellent coaching and facilities. The quality and consistency of the support have been instrumental in fostering a positive cricketing culture within our school community.”

Oldfield also praised the success of the Bath Schools Cricket Festival, the strong attendance at extracurricular clubs (averaging 25 boys and 12 girls from Key Stage 3), and the invaluable support from the LCC coaches David Dolman, Ella Worthington and Sam Pearce. The donation of equipment was highlighted as a key factor in expanding the school’s ability to deliver cricket sessions, especially in preparation for hardball cricket.

Looking ahead, the school has proposed several ideas for future development, including:

- Expanding the festival to include more year groups
- Introducing a city-wide schools cup competition
- Offering pre-season training in Terms 3 and 4
- Establishing a structured plan for extracurricular sessions to maintain engagement

Club Chairman Scott Longstaff said: “Lansdown is delighted to help children develop a love for cricket in their schools, and we hope that many of them—and their parents—will wish to become members of the Lansdown Club. We know from research and experience that cricket can have life-enhancing benefits for young people, helping to build confidence, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and, most importantly, providing a lot of fun.”

This initiative is a central part of Lansdown’s bicentenary celebrations and reflects the club’s deep commitment to community engagement and youth development. With strong feedback from schools and growing student participation, the programme is set to become a lasting legacy of the club’s 200th year.