England cricket stars Chris Jordan and Maia Bouchier are backing a new initiative, ‘Changing The Batter Order’, which aims to give 1,000 free starter cricket kits to children in England, Scotland and Wales. The campaign, run by Bat For A Chance (BFAC), targets under-served schools and community groups to increase access to the sport.
Jordan, an all-rounder and BFAC ambassador, said: “Cricket gave me everything — discipline, belief, a sense of where I belonged. Growing up, having access to the game wasn’t a given, and I know how much of a difference it makes when a young person gets that chance.” Bouchier, a fellow England cricketer and BFAC Global Ambassador, added: “When I was growing up, women’s cricket was very much an afterthought… Changing The Batting Order is about making sure every child — regardless of where they grow up or what their background is — gets that opportunity.”
Using a data-driven approach, digital partner Accuracast will identify the most deprived areas using publicly available government data. Alongside community partner Sported, the programme aims to provide kits to over 20,000 children across 500 primary and secondary schools and 500 community groups.
Despite efforts by ECB initiatives like All Stars and Dynamos, and The Hundred doubling female participation since 2021, many children still face barriers. One in three children from low-income families lack access to any sports club. BFAC uses cricket as a tool for social change, having launched projects like the first girls’ cricket club in the Caribbean and youth employment programmes in South Africa.
Primary schools in deprived areas can apply for a free kit at kit.batforachance.org.uk. Community groups should contact Sported directly.
