Children from the least affluent families are significantly less active than the most affluent families; resulting in a 20% participation gap between them. Girls are also less likely to be active than boys, with just 44% of girls meeting Chief Medical Officer guidelines compared to 51% of boys. Also, nearly a third of disabled children do less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day. 39% of young people from low socio-economic backgrounds said they “can’t afford” to take part in the sport.

We will continue to deliver free, safe and inclusive cricket sessions all year round for young people facing the challenges of inequality. Through our national disability cricket programme, Super 1s, and community cricket programme for young people facing socio-economic disadvantage, Wicketz, we adapt weekly sessions according to participant and local need. We will continue to increase the number of female only Wicketz hubs led by female coaches to ensure all women and girls feel included.