This month sees the launch of a new foundation that, building on the success of county cricket in Northamptonshire, will use the power of cricket to change lives, both young and old.
The Steelbacks Foundation was established through the merger in 2024 of two initiatives, Northamptonshire Recreational Cricket and Steelbacks In The Community. Its aim is to extend the reach of cricket across the county by removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities that benefit individuals, families and communities.
While the Steelbacks Foundation and its new website are being launched this month, there is already a strong base to build on. The organisation has already distributed more than £63,000 to grassroots cricket clubs across Northamptonshire.
A recent impact report showed that it has:
- Given £63,755 to clubs to help improve and develop their facilities as part of the ECB County Grants Fund.
- Widened participation for 76 talented state school players at MCC coaching hubs.
- Delivered walking cricket to almost 100 people.
- Delivered 355 sessions to 638 participants as part of a disability cricket programme.
- Seen 1,785 children take part in the All Stars and Dynamos programme.
- Trained 61 female volunteers.
- Organised at least an hour’s worth of cricket for 11,945 children through the Chance to Shine programme.
- Facilitated 404 girls-only fixtures
Patricia Hankins, Foundation Manager, said: “We’ve been working in the community for some time, but working towards charitable status and the formation of The Steelbacks Foundation has helped us achieve one of our main goals, which was to extend the Life Chances side of our mission.
What that means is providing social, physical, educational and mental health opportunities through cricket. That can be anything from encouraging children to take up cricket, greater participation from women and girls, to organising walking cricket for those over 55.” Like Team-Mates, a collaboration with Northampton Saints and Northampton Town FC, walking cricket has an important social and wellbeing element. Team-Mates was founded to provide activities for men who are struggling with mental health issues, with many participants referred through the NHS. The sessions include sporting activities alongside a social element, giving those taking part the chance to talk to others experiencing similar challenges.
The Steelbacks Foundation receives funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for schools programmes but relies on fundraising and grants to support all other initiatives. Its newly formed board, chaired by Karen Nicholson from Tollers Solicitors, is inviting more local businesses to get involved and support the foundation.
Patricia added: “Businesses can support us financially through sponsorship, or by providing expert skills and resources that help us to operate efficiently. We’re already working with local businesses to create our new website and produce our impact report, and companies can get involved through volunteering, as individuals or via staff volunteer days, or by supporting elements of our programmes. “We have a JustGiving page and a series of events lined up with Darren Lehmann and Steelbacks players. We also raise money by selling kit and clothing donated to us by Northamptonshire players, which last year helped raise around £4,000.
“Anything that helps us open up opportunities for more people is very welcome, whether that’s addressing the male-female imbalance in cricket or providing much needed kit to community groups.
“We are passionate about the Life Chances side of what we do. One of our regular walking cricket participants is 95 years old, which is amazing to see. Giving someone the chance, at that stage in their life, to get involved in sport again is incredibly beneficial and rewarding.”
The new Steelbacks Foundation website will be live from February 2. For more information, visit The Steelbacks Foundation website or email foundation@steelbacks.co.uk.
