How Featherstone made a huge success of All Stars.
Featherstone Town Cricket Club was founded in 1919 near Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The club offers junior cricket for all ages, alongside two senior teams. The current 1st team is almost wholly made up of former junior players and the junior section has flourished in recent years due to word of mouth from friends, family & the community.
Featherstone decided to take on the All Stars Cricket programme in 2017. They worked closely with the Yorkshire Cricket Board to help promote their programme in the local area. They used flyers and posters that could be distributed to local schools and businesses to aid in self-promotion. Sophie, who was one of the key driving forces behind All Stars at Featherstone Town, and members of the team went to a number of local schools and were able to give an assembly and a taster session, which increased numbers. Sophie put in the work behind the scenes, attending local primary schools and helping out with taster sessions, preparing the paperwork and handling the administrative duties on a weekly basis. Sophie made sure that each child had a ‘star postcard’ and flyer with all the details, including what was included with the programme. In the 1st session, through YCB and ECB guidance, Featherstone decided to go with a taster session, where the little Stars were encouraged to bring a friend. This day was a massive success and the team at Featherstone saw 20 children sign up within an hour!
Social media played a massive part in the recruitment process of All Stars for Featherstone Town. It became evident that the more clubs embraced the All Stars promotional material that was provided, the more sign ups they got. Sophie said that:
“The England & Wales Cricket Board and the YCB provided us with a personalised poster that told people the information they needed and also gave us materials that helped us transform our social media pages. This opportunity has not only allowed us to promote All Stars, it’s also enabled Featherstone Town CC to be recognised in the local community. Support for the club has increased, which is very good. We have also been using social media platforms more regularly, which is boosting interest in the local community and can only be good heading into 2018 and beyond.”
Club members volunteered their free time and even took time out from work to aid the youngsters at All Stars in Featherstone. About the All Stars Programme at Featherstone Town, Sophie said:
“It’s so rewarding to see the results and lots of new faces filling up the cricket field. The children are happy, making new friends and learning new skills. We have achieved the goals that the club wanted plus more! Before, I would never have dreamt of the programme getting off the ground, especially in this area, with its small mining background. I also think that it’s fantastic that we have been able to provide a diverse programme which allows everyone to achieve (from different backgrounds and lifestyles). The support from the All Stars team at the ECB has been amazing and they have always tried to sort any problems that we’ve had. Yorkshire Cricket Board have provided very good support too, I am very grateful for all the help and support. I do really see this as a great initiative and hope that it continues and develops.”
Speaking of the All Stars program, Craig, one of the head activators, Level 2 coach and the main contact for All Stars at Featherstone, said:
“The All Stars program is a fantastic way of introducing young children to Cricket. It allows us to introduce the various aspects and skills involved in cricket in a very simple but structured way. Through the sessions I have run so far, it is clear that children find it enjoyable and have fun at the same time. Indeed, it has become apparent that not only do they have a great time, they actually learn the basics of cricket and some develop skills very quickly. We have identified a handful of children who will be ideal for under-9 cricket in the very near future.”
One of the highlights for Craig has been seeing children of all different abilities as well as children with disabilities able to fully take part. Featherstone Town has seen children with smiles on their faces, enjoying the sessions along with excellent support from parents and guardians who attended the sessions week in week out.
Activators, Michael & Jason, found that the “sessions have been extremely exciting and fun for the little Stars… All Stars makes people understand that this programme is not full-on cricket training, but more of a fun, engaging environment with a bit of a cricket theme. It’s so rewarding to see all the children smiling, laughing and learning at the same time. It is also rewarding to hear the feedback on how we’re doing as a club… It’s also rewarding to see how the children are adapting to different situations and to see the positive mind set of both the parents and children. It’s amazing how you can change someone’s life for the better in providing moments that will stay with them a long time to come.”
Dad, Mark, had this to say about his son, Harry’s, experience:
“Harry has absolutely loved it so far, he enjoys going every week and trying out the new drills and activities. It is run really well by the team at Featherstone, who give them the All Stars badges as stickers at the end of the session as well as sweets, drinks and biscuits… Harry is looking forward to next week already!”
Mum, Sarah, had this to say about her son, Alex’s, time at All Stars:
“I wasn't aware Alex would be able to sign up at first. He came home and told me about it and said he would love to go as some of his friends were going. At first, I said no as Alex is in a wheelchair and has Cerebral Palsy. I just presumed he wouldn't be able to sign up as with many other activities and sports he's unable to take part. Alex was very upset, then I later found out that they were more than happy for Alex to sign up, so of course I signed him up! He was over the moon! Alex is absolutely loving All Stars on Tuesdays. He understands he's different and that he can't do certain things like everyone else but all he wants to do is have a go and join in with his friends; which he does and has so much fun! I think everyone is doing a great job, there's not many "non-disabled" groups and clubs that would allow Alex to join, but All Stars have. I'm glad we signed Alex up. It's nice to see him joining in and enjoying himself with friends. Everyone involved in All Stars are brilliant and so helpful, especially with Alex! Communication is brilliant either by phone or email or speaking to us on the day. I really cannot fault anyone.”
Featherstone Town CC have really embraced All Stars Cricket in 2017 and have benefited both themselves and the local community in providing cricket to many young people. Their success is a testament to all involved. Well done to all at Featherstone Town CC and best of luck for 2018!