LCCC Launch Flagship Partnership with Lionheart Educational Trust

Leicestershire County Cricket Club is proud to announce a flagship partnership with Lionheart Educational Trust, which will offer unique access to the Trust’s family of students.

The sustainable partnership will comprise several innovative opportunities for students to gain valuable exposure to professional coaching, which will aid their holistic development, along with regular chances to see the Running Foxes in action at Uptonsteel County Ground.

The first partnership of its kind on such a scale, Lionheart’s family of 11 schools across Leicestershire incorporates over 10,000 students from a diverse range of backgrounds, who are all set to benefit from the agreement.

Leicestershire CCC will utilise their professional coaches to deliver consistent coaching sessions to the Trust’s various age demographics. This includes implementing the ‘Chance to Shine’ cricket coaching programme at all the primary schools under the Lionheart umbrella, to provide children of all abilities an active introduction to the game in a safe and fun environment.

The Club will also offer an eight-week, after-school coaching programme to Lionheart’s secondary schools’ students to help develop all aspects of their game. All sessions will also be classed as Talent ID opportunities, allowing any students with an exceptional level of talent the opportunity to attend LCCC Development squad trials.

Additionally, the community-driven partnership will target an increase in opportunities for the girls and women’s game. LCCC will again be hosting an England Women’s ODI this summer, providing the perfect platform to welcome the Trust’s female students to witness the brilliance of Women’s international cricket, with funds re-invested back into further professionally-led coaching opportunities.

LCCC will also dedicate the visit of Derbyshire in this summer’s T20 Vitality Blast to the Lionheart Trust. Pupils will have the opportunity to receive unique exposure to a matchday environment and be able to participate in a host of exclusive matchday experiences at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Secondary school students will get a unique taste of the hallowed turf during a series of pre-match ‘Kwik cricket’ games, hosted by LCCC coaches, before being able to watch the Leicestershire Foxes in their T20 fixture that evening alongside their families.

Children from each of the primary schools will also play a significant role in the matchday activities at the fixture. The Trust’s children will act as the official player escorts and official flag bearers, while also forming the guard of honour and participating in the matchday parade around the boundary rope.

The Club will also commit further funding towards the future coaching sessions, plus an offer to provide free Memberships to Under 16s.

Kath Kelly, CEO of Lionheart Educational Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to have forged a new partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which will benefit students across the Lionheart Educational Trust.
“Young people need holistic opportunities, in addition to their academic studies, to help them build character and grow into well-rounded individuals.

“We know that through sport, our students can develop resilience, learn respect and hone their teamwork skills, so we look forward to seeing those skills grow through the professional cricket coaching.

“We’re also pleased that this partnership will go beyond the game, as LCCC facilitate careers workshops and matchday experiences in the coming months.”

Chris Tinbergen, Commercial Manager for Consumer Sales at Leicestershire CCC, said: “This is a unique and really exciting partnership for us at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. It is a chance to positively impact thousands of kids through cricket and create memories that will last a lifetime.

“We have such an exciting summer planned with the Lionheart Trust, and we cannot wait to build on this partnership throughout the year.”