In early 2023, MCCF partnered with the CATCH Trust (formerly known as the Gary Kirsten Foundation) to launch a Women’s Empowerment Programme in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, South Africa. Bringing together women and girls from township communities, the programme is providing individuals with access to high quality cricket coaching and a life skills programme over a 12-month period. Covering topics including mental health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and more, the modules are focused on key issues identified by the communities themselves.
The programme launched with a township trophy tournament planned to coincide with the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. 60 girls from 4 different townships came to play on the only green space in Khayalitsha and displayed some competitive cricket skills as they battled it out for victory. The atmosphere was wonderful, with all the girls singing in full voice, encouraging their teams from the boundary.
The programme follows a successful launch in February 2023 to coincide with the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Players from our programme we able to meet, quiz, and play with members of the England team prior to their fixture against the West Indies. MCCF Playing Ambassadors Heather Knight (Captain), Sophia Dunkley, and Maia Bouchier spent time getting to the know the players and discuss why cricket is so important in communities like Khayelitsha.
Over the year, the players and coaches from these township communities will come together to share in the power of cricket and to work through issues that are important to them. The Foundation is delighted to be working in collaboration with the CATCH Trust to deliver this vital programme and transforms lives through cricket.
Find out more at https://www.lords.org/mcc/mcc-...
Founded in 1993, the MCC Foundation (MCCF) is the charitable arm of Marylebone Cricket Club and aims to transform lives through cricket.
Based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, we are a cricket charity delivering projects across the UK and around the world. We provide free coaching and matchplay in order to empower all boys and girls to reach their full potential in the game, to unite and inspire communities, and to promote physical and mental well-being.
In the UK, MCCF runs a network of 126 cricket Hubs across the UK, providing free-to-access coaching, match play and support for mental and physical wellbeing to around 4,000 state-educated boys and girls, many from under-represented backgrounds and hard-to-reach communities. Throughout summer, it runs a National Hub Competition with boys' and girls' finals held on the Main Ground at Lord's.
Overseas, MCCF works with partners to provide life-changing opportunities through cricket, to open up access to the game and to provide hope and opportunity. The Foundation supports inspiring cricket projects for thousands of beneficiaries across East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya), Lebanon (for Syrian refugees), Nepal, Serbia (for Afghan refugees) and South Africa.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
