MCC Foundation hosts National Hub Competition Finals at Lord’s

Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation (MCCF) hosted the boys’ and girls’ finals of its annual National Hub Competition at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Saturday 29 July. 

The event marked the conclusion of a 20-week long competition that has seen state-educated boys and girls aged 16 and under from 77 sites across the country competing against one another for a chance to play at the Home of Cricket. 

The event did not disappoint, with two exciting finals comprising of the charity’s most talented beneficiaries taking place on the Main Ground. In the Girls’ event, Guildford came out on top against the Bolton Hub by four wickets. In the Boys’ Final, Reading beat Bradford by 12 runs. Bolton’s Megan Russell, for retiring on 51, and Bradford’s Abdullah Hussain, for the only five wicket-haul on the day, were the respective players of the match. Bradford captain Hudson Rowan also retired after hitting a half-century. 

Both finals took place in succession on the Main Ground in front of a packed-out Pavilion. More than 1,000 spectators were in attendance with tens of thousands engaging with the day online and via the live stream on MCCF’s YouTube channel. Commentators, Guy Swindells, Cath Dalton and MCCF Young Ambassador Georgie Heath were joined by players, Hub Managers, and other guests from the world of cricket throughout the day. 

All four teams were provided with an unforgettable experience, including access to the Pavilion Dressing Rooms and lunch served in the Players’ Dining Room. 

The National Hubs form the cornerstone of the MCCF’s work in the UK, ensuring that every young cricketer can be empowered to reach their full potential in the game, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic circumstance. 

The Hubs also look to nurture young talent, creating opportunities for promising young cricketers to hone their skills and improve their confidence under the mentorship of the MCCF’s network of coaches. 

MCC President and MCCF Patron, Stephen Fry, MCCF Director, Dr Sarah Fane and England captain Heather Knight presented medals to the girls. MCC Director of Cricket & Operations, Jamie Cox, MCCF Chair of Trustees, Phillip Hodson and London Spirit's Mason Crane, presented medals to the boys. 

Speaking about the event, MCC President Stephen Fry said: “As patron of the MCC Foundation I felt it very important to be here today and have seen some wonderful cricket from some very promising and talented youngsters. The work of the MCC Foundation is so critical in enabling, encouraging and supporting children that otherwise would not have the opportunity to do so, to get into the game and hopefully fall in love with it, as I have done. Congratulations to Bolton, Guildford, Bradford and Reading for making it to the finals.”

Director of MCC Foundation Dr Sarah Fane OBE said: “We are incredibly grateful to Guy Lavender and MCC for providing this unique opportunity for our beneficiaries. It cannot fail to inspire them and will likely stay in their memories forever. In the wake of the ICEC report we are all more aware than ever how far we have to go before cricket can be seen as a game for all. We must all do more. The MCC Foundation is determined to grow our National Hub programme significantly so that thousands more children can benefit from free access to cricket, and it really can be a game for all. The game has so much to offer, and we will endeavour to ensure that any young person, whatever their background or gender, can access and thrive in the game.” 

The competition has been made possible by the Foundation’s long-standing supporters, Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. 

Quotes

Guildford:

Guildford Foundation Hub Lead, Darren Talbot: “The MCC Foundation Hubs are absolutely critical for state school cricket. I’ve been working in state school cricket for the last 17 years and I initially set out with the aim of trying to improve cricket in schools. As soon as I came across the programme, and was asked to run the Guildford Hub, it was like gold for me as it’s what cricket has been crying out for, for a very long time. To come to Lord’s, particularly with a girls team, with women’s and girls’ cricket rising as it is, is very special. I always say the final is just getting here but to win and see the girls faces makes it all worthwhile.

“To have the opportunity to coach and be involved in a game at Lord’s is massive and the MCC has looked after us so well. It feels like they want this cricket here and it is the most amazing experience for everyone.”

Guildford Foundation Hub captain, Abi Shaw-Hales: “I am so happy to have won today. The game was good for us and Bolton batting first helped because we were going to field first if we had won the toss so from our batting point of view we didn’t have to worry too much and didn’t have to push too hard.

“I really like the MCC Foundation Hubs programme. This is my second year doing it so I have one more year next year. I’ve met loads of new people and the programme has really improved my cricket and given me loads of opportunities.”

Bolton:

Bolton Hub lead, Andy Compton, said: “Lord’s is THE place to play cricket. Glenn McGrath was saying for the Australians that it’s the best place to play cricket so if it’s the best place for them, it has got to be the best place for us.

“I am very proud of the team. This is the first game they have lost in two years and they’ve been brilliant throughout and gelled as a tight knit group with good team spirit.”

Bolton captain, Megan Russell: “I think we worked hard, we battled until the end and there’s just a few things we could have improved on but cricket is cricket and it doesn’t always go your way.

“The MCC Foundation programme has been amazing and specifically the Hubs competition that gives girls an an opportunity to play at a ground like this. Walking through the Long Room was amazing and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Reading:

Reading Head Coach, Hamad Ali: “Berkshire as a county has achieved massive success as a result of the MCC Foundation Hubs programme. There’s been more than 30 boys who’ve gone from these hubs into pathway cricket and the reverse has happened where we’ve allowed our pathway coaches to come and deliver Hub sessions - and as you can see we are producing cricketers and winning tournaments.

“Being at Lord’s is amazing, I was here last week but actually being a part of a game here there is nothing like it. There is probably one billion people around the world who play cricket and there is one thing we all have in common, everybody knows about Lord’s, so to be here with these boys is a one in a lifetime opportunity.

Reading captain, Eshan Jain: “I am very happy to have won. I am elated and over the moon.

“I think it was a good game. It was played right until the end and the other team really played well and probably deserved to get over the line as well, but we just beat them in that sense.

“I think as a team we have really bonded during the sessions and over this time we have made some really good friends. It has been a good experience and high level quality cricket.

“Playing at Lord’s was amazing. A real once in a lifetime opportunity and something I probably won’t be able to do again.

Bradford:

Bradford captain, Hudson Rowan: “I thought going into the halfway stage we were confident we could chase down that total as we had a strong batting lineup but we just came up short in the end. It’s disappointing but we move on and we go again next year.

“It is special to play at Lord’s and surreal to walk through the Long Room and walk out onto the pitch. It is a privilege to open the batting and to hit a 50 was a special moment.

“The MCC Foundation Hubs are great. They offer so many kids different opportunities and challenges and the chance to develop their cricket game. It really has been special for me, it really has.”

Bradford Assistant coach for Bradford MCC Hub, Wes Brooks: “The MCC Foundation Hubs are massively important for youth cricket, giving kids the opportunity to play a good level of representative cricket and progress alongside other players of a similar quality all throughout the winter and train with the end goal being a potential final at Lord’s. Not everyone will play county cricket, not everyone gets to play school cricket so it is opening the door to other options for these young players. 

“It is absolutely awesome to be here at Lord’s. The last time I was personally here was in 1994 and it’s changed a bit since then. Although they have lost the final today, the boys will come away from the day with great memories and knowing that not many cricketers will have the opportunity to play at Lord’s. It is a dream for most cricketers, so for our players from Bradford to have the opportunity to travel down and experience what they have experienced today it is absolutely awesome.”