Why I believe cricket can be a game for everyone

Derbyshire Cricket Foundation has launched a new four-year strategy, which aims to ensure cricket in Derbyshire is accessible, inclusive and impactful for all. Here, in his own words, the foundation’s managing director Rich Wood, explains in more detail what this means for grassroots cricket.

There are certain moments in your career that make you stop and reflect.

For me, Friday 15 May was one of those moments.

Standing in front of partners, stakeholders, colleagues and friends at the Central Co-op County Ground to launch Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s new strategy, A Game for Everyone (2026-2030), gave me the opportunity to look back at how far we’ve come.

And, perhaps more importantly, look ahead to where we want to go next, while feeling extremely proud of our progress to date.

The event marked a significant milestone for the foundation, but it wasn’t really about a document, a presentation or a new set of objectives.

It was about people.

It was about the thousands of individuals across Derbyshire whose lives have been touched by cricket over the last few years and the many more we hope to reach in the years ahead.

When I joined Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, I believed wholeheartedly in the power of sport to make a difference. I still do.

In fact, seeing that impact first-hand only strengthens that belief.

Whether it’s a young person picking up a bat for the first time, a participant finding friendship through Walking Cricket, or someone improving their physical and mental wellbeing through one of our community programmes, cricket has an incredible ability to bring people together.

That belief sits at the heart of our new strategy.

Our purpose is simple: to empower communities and improve lives through cricket.

Our vision is equally clear: to provide every person in Derbyshire with the opportunity to have a positive experience through the game.

And our mission is one that I hope resonates with everyone we work with: to inspire a generation to say that “cricket is a game for me”.

The truth is that cricket has changed significantly over the past decade.

The game is more diverse, more accessible and more relevant to a wider range of communities than ever before.

However, there is still work to do. Too many people still feel that cricket isn’t for them. Too many barriers still exist. And that’s why this strategy matters.

It’s not simply about growing participation numbers, important as that is.

It’s about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, ability, age or circumstance, feels welcome within our game.

What makes me particularly proud is that we’re launching this strategy from a position of strength.

The last few years haven’t been easy. Like every organisation, we’ve faced challenges ranging from the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis.

Yet despite those challenges, cricket across Derbyshire has continued to grow.

We’ve seen more women and girls taking part than ever before.

We’ve expanded programmes such as Street Cricket, Walking Cricket and Table Cricket.

We’ve reached new communities and developed stronger partnerships across the county.

Most importantly, we’ve seen the difference those programmes make.

One of the highlights of the launch event was hearing directly from participants themselves.

Listening to members of our Youth Council speak about their experiences and hearing personal stories from individuals involved in our health and wellbeing programmes reminded everyone in the room why we do what we do.

Statistics are important. Impact reports are important. But nothing is more powerful than hearing someone’s story.

Looking ahead, our ambition is a bold one. By 2030, we want cricket to be recognised as the most inclusive team sport.

That ambition will require focus, investment and collaboration.

We want to continue growing the women’s and girls’ game, engage more diverse communities, support clubs to become even more inclusive, create more opportunities for young people and use cricket as a vehicle to improve health and wellbeing across Derbyshire.

Alongside that, we know we must continue investing in the foundations that make everything possible.

Better facilities, stronger volunteer networks and sustainable partnerships will all play a crucial role in helping us achieve our goals.

The launch event also provided an opportunity to showcase some of the exciting initiatives that will help bring the strategy to life.

Programmes such as the Falcons Leadership Academy, the Play-On Fund and Friends of the Foundation demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations and individuals come together behind a shared purpose.

Because if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that meaningful change is never achieved alone.

Everything we have accomplished as a foundation has been made possible through collaboration.

We are fortunate to work alongside outstanding clubs, schools, charities, community organisations, volunteers and partners who share our belief in the power of cricket to change lives.

Their support, commitment and passion give me enormous confidence for the future.

As I left the launch event, I felt a genuine sense of excitement.

Not because the strategy had been launched, but because of what it represents.

A Game for Everyone is not the end of a process. It is the beginning of a new chapter.

When we say, ‘A Game for Everyone’, we mean:

A game that welcomes.

A game that inspires.

A game that develops people.

A game that removes barriers.

A game that brings communities together and builds friendships.

A game that creates belonging.

In every way ‘a game for everyone’.

A chapter where we continue to challenge perceptions, create opportunities and ensure cricket reaches people who may never have previously considered it a game for them.

There is still plenty of work ahead.

But with a clear vision, a committed team and the support of our partners and communities, I genuinely believe we can make a lasting difference.

And if, by 2030, more people across Derbyshire can confidently say “cricket is a game for me”, then we will know we have succeeded.