Chance to Shine girls’ cricket event at Durham Riverside

The event, part of the Chance to Compete programme, was organised by children’s charity Chance to Shine and aimed to give young players a taste of competitive cricket in a professional setting.

James Henry, competition lead at Chance to Shine, said: "It’s events just like this which really have the opportunity to draw girls into the game of cricket and demonstrate to them that it is a sport that they can, and should, participate in.

More than 100 girls from 12 schools took part in a regional cricket competition at Durham’s Riverside ground (Image: Supplied)

"At Chance to Shine, our work focuses on inclusivity and fun, which is what Chance to Compete showcases.

"It’s been wonderful to see so many girls enjoying the game today and hopefully has ignited an interest in the sport for them to want to continue their involvement in it."

At the finals, St Leonard’s Catholic School in Durham won the Under-15 title, while John Spence High School from North Shields took home the Under-13 trophy.

North East schoolgirls have taken inspiration from England’s run to the Women’s T20 World Cup final with more than 100 girls from 12 schools taking part in a regional cricket competition at Durham’s Riverside ground. (Image: Supplied)

The competition aimed to promote teamwork, resilience and a competitive spirit among participants, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for cricket among school-age girls.

Chance to Shine has delivered cricket programmes to more than four million girls since 2005 and in the past year, 51 per cent of its participants have been female.

More than 14,000 girls took part in the Chance to Compete competition last year.

While England were pipped to the post by Australia in the T20 Final, organisers hope the visibility of the women’s game will inspire the next generation to get involved and stay engaged with cricket.

Chance to Shine is an independent children’s charity focused on improving the lives of young people through cricket in schools and communities.

The charity believes cricket can help children develop a sense of belonging and improve their wellbeing and life skills, regardless of their background.

Banks Homes Riverside Stadium (Image: Supplied)

Since its launch in 2005, Chance to Shine has introduced cricket to more than eight million children aged five to 24 across England, Wales, and Scotland, many of whom would otherwise have missed out on the social, physical, and mental health benefits of the sport.

Chance to Shine reaches over 4,000 state primary schools each year, delivering a half-term of cricket coaching and providing teachers with resources and training to continue the programme independently.

In secondary schools, the Chance to Compete scheme offers a national, girls-only cricket competition designed to further boost female participation.

The charity also runs Chance to Shine Street, a network of cricket clubs in under-served areas.

These clubs meet weekly throughout the year, blending informal competition with life skills development and using a 20-ball, tape-ball format to make the game accessible to all.

Participants from these clubs compete in annual regional and national finals.

The charity says the event at Durham’s Riverside ground is just one example of how exposure to high-quality competitions and facilities can make a lasting impression on young players and help build a lifelong connection to cricket.

By providing inclusive, supportive, and enjoyable experiences of the game, organisations like Chance to Shine hope to see many more girls develop the confidence and skills to play, compete, and thrive through cricket.

For more information about the charity and its programmes, visit www.chancetoshine.org.