During a debate on the ongoing lack of funding for youth cricket, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse highlighted our pioneering work with local state schools.

We know how powerful cricket can be for young people — building confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sport. Yet, cricket in state schools remains seriously underfunded, increasingly becoming an opportunity only available to those in private education.

Determined to change this, Lansdown’s outreach programmes, supported by generous sponsors and donors, delivered more than 200 cricket sessions to thousands of children in local state schools in 2025.

Leading the charge was our fantastic Ella Worthington, recently named Somerset’s Young Coach of the Year. Ella brought cricket to Weston All Saints Primary, Newbridge Primary, Oldfield Secondary, and Oldfield Park Juniors, inspiring young players wherever she went.

A huge thank you goes to Ella for the energy, skill, and passion she brings to everything she does, and to Andy Greenhough at Oldfield School, along with the dedicated teachers from all the schools involved. We are also deeply grateful to our supporters and sponsors — Goughs Solicitors, Sport England, Mostly Media, and The Galadari Foundation — as well as the many generous members and friends of Lansdown Cricket Club.

Most of all, thank you to the brilliant young people who threw themselves into the sessions with such enthusiasm this year. This is what the game is all about — and there’s more to come.

?#upthedown