Young cricketers shine at Riverside

Young female cricketers were bowled over by the chance to play at a professional ground and meet an international star.

The Durham Cricket Foundation hosted the Girls’ Chance to Compete Regional Finals at the Banks Homes Riverside Ground, welcoming 12 state school teams from Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire. 

Part of the Chance to Shine programme, the event gives secondary-age girls the opportunity to play competitive cricket while developing leadership, teamwork and life skills.

England and Durham star Mady Villiers made a surprise appearance on the day, meeting teams and sharing how similar grassroots schemes helped shape her own journey in the sport.

Mady said: “Everyone is incredibly talented here and it’s great to see that the standard of cricket is rising. 

“One of the first games of cricket that I actually played would have probably been a Chance to Shine game, so to see these girls playing games that I would have been taking a part of is really nice to see.

“To be able to come to days like these and show girls that you can look up to female role models is special because when I was their age I probably didn’t – it would have been the male side of the game that would have been my role model. 

“Now these girls can see that it is a potential career.” 

Teams competed across two age groups, with Kings Priory School (pictured below) and Richmond School coming out on top in the Under-13 and Under-15 competitions, respectively.

For many players, it was their first experience of playing on a professional pitch, having qualified through a series of matches held across the region.

James Hendry, operations manager at Chance to Shine – North & Scotland, added: “A huge thank you to Durham Cricket Foundation for hosting us at the beautiful Banks Homes Riverside for the Chance to Compete Girls Northern Regional Finals.

“Playing in such an inspiring setting – with Durham’s own Mady Villiers on hand to support and cheer on the players – brought an extra touch of magic to the day.

“Chance to Compete is our national secondary schools competition, giving state-educated young people the opportunity to develop teamwork, resilience and competitive spirit in a safe, supportive environment. 

“Along the way, they build skills on and off the pitch, and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Graeme Weeks, chief executive at Durham Cricket Foundation, added: “To play on this ground, meet a professional player and represent their schools – it’s a day many of these young girls cricketers will never forget.

“We are so proud to have been able to put on a day like this for them.”

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