New cricket academy goes for six with local homebuilder
31 May 2023
Cricket stars from Hampshire Hawks and Southern Vipers helped launch a new community cricket program in Basingstoke aimed at giving young people new opportunities through cricket, after securing a £6,000 donation from Thames Valley.
Chris Wood, Ross Whiteley, Alice Monaghan, and Choe Hill joined aspiring cricketers at Brighton Hill School for the official launch of the Basingstoke Hawks Academy, which has been set up following the success of the Hampshire Hawks City Academy in Southampton.
The Hawks Academy is a pioneering project run by Hampshire Cricket which aims to increase the diversity of young people playing cricket at all levels in Hampshire. It provides opportunities for young people who would otherwise not have access to top level coaching and cricket facilities, specifically those living in urban areas where traditionally participation in the sport is low.
Ben Thompson, Trustee of the Hampshire Cricket Foundation said:
“The Hampshire Hawks City Academy is a really exciting programme which aims to make cricket more accessible to young people in urban areas regardless of their background.
“It is a sport which can bring different communities together, provides obvious health benefits, and helps young people develop important life skills like teamwork, leadership, and resilience.
“We are extremely grateful for the funding from Persimmon as it will help provide high quality coaching and equipment for more people in Basingstoke, as well as improve the playing facilities at Brighton Hill School.”
Dan Castle, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, added:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be supporting the Hawks Academy in Basingstoke.
“At Persimmon, we’re committed to building thriving communities that leave a positive lasting legacy.
“The new academy will absolutely deliver on this by expert coaching coaching to girls and boys who may never have had the opportunity to play cricket, while also helping young people to lead active, healthy lives.”
