Prince's Trust team visit Grace Road

A group of young people on The Prince’s Trust Team programme recently visited Grace Road for a day of activities with Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

The aim of the day was for the Team to learn about the cricket club and take part in activities which would boost the young people’s confidence, communication and team working skills as well as having a lot of fun.

Club Archivist Richard Holdridge gave the group a tour of the ground and County batsman Paul Nixon and former England all-rounder Paul Smith were among those who spoke to the young visitors. Dips Patel and Steve Franklin then arranged some indoor practice for them.

The Team thoroughly enjoyed their day, and Sharni-Jade Foster, 16, gave her thoughts on it. She said: “In the morning, we got a tour around the cricket ground. After the tour we went into a hospitality suite and met two cricketers Paul Nixon and Paul Smith.

“Paul Smith told us he had played cricket for 16 years and then he told us about the life he had had after retiring, like how he went to America to help teenagers that have been involved with crime. Paul Nixon told us how he has played for the England cricket team.

“During our time with them we spoke about what we want to do with our future and they encouraged us to not let anyone tell you what you can’t do. After that the club did a buffet for us, which I thought was really nice.

“After lunch we went into the big sports hall and met Dips (Patel) and Steve (Franklin) from the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Board. They taught us how to bowl a cricket ball. We played a game of tag with a tennis ball.

“After that we got into two teams and played a game of cricket. I got put as wicket-keeper and started talking to Frankie about how the food was. During the game I got do some bowling but I was rubbish, so I let Dips take over.

“Overall I enjoyed the day and I learnt a lot about cricket and the lives of two famous cricketers, which was rather interesting. I also learnt that Leicestershire County Cricket Club have won something. I really enjoyed the day. Thanks to everyone involved.

Brett Berry, also aged 16, said he enjoyed the day too. He said: When we arrived at Grace Road we had a tour of the whole cricket ground and learnt about all the facilities around the ground.

“We learnt about all the old cricket players. After that we had a chat with Paul Smith and he was saying how he had an interest in cricket since he was little and how he had travelled around the world.

“After that the club put a fantastic buffet on for us, which was really nice and then we went to play cricket which was really fun. I had a good laugh and I would consider taking up cricket for a living because I really enjoyed it.”

Both of these teenagers are part of the Team, which is a 12 week programme of personal development training for 16-25 year olds which begins with team-building activities.

It also includes a week at a residential activity centre, and includes team-work on real projects in the local community as well as individual work placements.

It builds key work place skills such as confidence, motivation, teamwork and communications skills with the aim of helping young people move into employment, education or training. The programme is delivered locally by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

Since 1997 The Prince's Trust has changed more than 20,000 young lives through sport.

Sport develops key workplace skills such as confidence, teamwork, communication and discipline. The sports initiatives are hugely successful with 3 in 4 young people going on to education, work or training.

The Trust’s work with Cricket was first piloted in 2003. The Trust has delivered cricket linked programmes through partnerships with The England and Wales Cricket Board, The Professional Cricketers’ Association, 14 first class county cricket clubs, the Marylebone Cricket Club and Chance to Shine.

Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at www.princes-trust.org.uk or by calling free on 0800 842 842.