Chance to Shine

Chance to Shine is a national charity that aims to give all children the opportunity to play, learn and develop through cricket. We take cricket to new places and use it to ignite new passions, teach vital skills, unite diverse groups and educate young people across the UK. Since 2005, nearly six million children in schools and disadvantaged communities have been given the opportunity to play cricket through our programmes. Chance to Shine Street takes cricket to young people in 200 disadvantaged areas, who face more barriers to being active. Played with a tape ball, the sessions are designed to get young people active and develop their wider wellbeing.

In 2019, Bashir fled Afghanistan, aged 14, fearing for his life. He arrived in Norfolk alone and could barely speak English. He struggled in his first few months in the UK as he missed his family and struggled to communicate.

Bashir joined a local Chance to Shine Street project. The cricket sessions are weekly, all year round, free and safe, so Bashir was able to play cricket regularly in his community. He quickly showed a lot of talent.

Our Street coaches are role models, inspiring young people to take on new challenges, learn from setbacks and believe in themselves. Bashir’s coach supported him to grow in confidence and within a month, he was helping to coach the younger children.