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Young cricketers had a Chance to Shine in a special festival at Stevenage CC. (Herts.)   It was organised by Steve Green (the school sports co-ordinator for Barclay) last Thursday and was supported by Stevenage CC coaching staff Trevor Davies and Gareth Berg and also senior cricket leaders from the Barclay, Thomas Alleyne and Heathcote schools. The Chance to Shine cricket initiative is a scheme funded by the ECB which gives state schools an opportunity to increase their participation in the game. Berg, the Stevenage all-rounder and the club's development coach, has spent 20 hours a week along with a group of qualified leaders, coaching the basics of the game. Schools to benefit are Barclay, Thomas Alleyne, Woolenwick, Fairlands, Trotts Hill and Almond Hill. All the primary schools turned up to the festival with two Year Five teams with an equal number of boys and girls. All teams played three matches throughout the afternoon and all players had to bat and bowl in each. Mayor Simon Speller and the Stevenage sports development officer Matt Warren turned up to watch the proceedings. The winning school was Almond Hill which tied with Fairlands but scored more runs during the day. Most valuable player awards went to Josh McNeil (Woolenwick), Jodie Shackell (Fairlands), Harry Cooper-Tully (Trotts Hill) and Leyla Hoyle (Almond Hill).

Summer Fete raises cash for school cricket pavilion!   By Lorraine Parker CASH raised from this year's Ryde School (I of W,) summer fete, which took place earlier this month, will go towards a new cricket pavilion in the school grounds.   Despite the unexpected heatwave, which sent swarms of people to the beach, hundreds of families attended the annual event, which raised around £3,000. Activities included a tug-of-war, a fancy-dress competition, a static falconry display, a visit by alpacas and a performance from the Unidos Samba Band. Visitors also enjoyed traditional activities, including raffles and tombolas, while the children got their own back on their teachers by throwing sponges at them. Organisers and Friends of Ryde School members Julie Richardson, Cathy Kerr and Liz Churchill were pleased with the response. Mrs Richardson said: "It was a very successful day. Despite the heat drawing many people away to the beach, it was very well attended. The tug-of-war was especially popular."

More Funds for Schools Cricket!   Plans to revitalise competitive cricket in state schools are to receive £2.5million a year in Government funding. The Cricket Foundation has confirmed its Chance to Shine scheme is scheduled to receive the extra money - to add to £2million from Sport England - from March next year. It is hoped the funding will ultimately amount to £25million - the same amount the Cricket Foundation is committed to raising itself from private benefactors. Minister for Sport Richard Caborn is hoping the scheme can help the Cricket Foundation nurture future generations of Ashes winners. "Chance to shine is a fantastic initiative that aims to bring cricket to schoolkids across the country," he said. "Our Ashes win last summer showed to a brand new generation just how captivating cricket can be. "This new Government money will help cricket build on that success - and who knows, it may just introduce the next Freddie Flintoff into the game." Chance to Shine began with successful pilot schemes last year, involving 12 carefully chosen cricket clubs and 72 schools. This season 100 clubs and their coaches will work with 600 schools. Over the next decade, the aim is to reach about a third of schools in England and Wales through about 800 clubs. Cricket Foundation director Nick Gandon, said: "We're delighted to have won the enthusiastic support of government, which recognises the clear educational benefits that Chance to Shine aims to bring."   By Neeta Dutta