ECB kicks off South Asian Action Plan with scholarship project

Aspiring young South Asian cricketers have the chance to sharpen their talent after the ECB tied up with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation to run a pilot cricket scholarship project next year.

The foundation offers young people from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds bursaries in state and independent boarding schools.

Four young Asian cricketers from urban areas with schools that have a strong cricketing offer will be chosen under this plan.

ECB non-executive director Lord Kamlesh Patel said: “When we launched the Action Plan three weeks ago we knew that we would be judged on our actions rather than words. In this short space of time it is really encouraging to see the progress that is already being made.

“We know that working closely with key partners will play a huge part in making this Action Plan a success. The partnerships with SpringBoard, The British Asian Trust and the National Asian Cricket Council are great news for the game and for South Asian communities. This is an important first step in making our ambitions a reality.”

CEO of SpringBoard Ian Davenport added: “We are delighted to be working with the ECB on this imaginative and transformative scheme. We already know the powerful effect of offering opportunities to deserving young people to fulfil their potential and as importantly the influence that these role models have in their home communities, thus raising youth aspiration which is so important for those in the next generation.”