FIFTY children who participate in Wicketz from Bradford, Leeds, Hull and Manchester made their way to Hull University for another round of ‘Unity of the Roses’, a spin-off from ‘The War of the Roses’.

Hull is the newest city in Yorkshire to host Wicketz, which is a nationally-funded cricket project by Lord’s Taverners, which now has three hubs across the city successfully up and running.

The action-packed day was focused on ‘Aspirations’ of the participants, with workshops being themed around inspiring the next generation.

Ben Fraser, Wicketz development officer for Leeds and Bradford, said: “The core purpose of the day was to show the children that they can do anything they put their mind to.

“Wicketz hubs operate in the most deprived areas, for example, Canterbury estate (Wicketz’ Bradford hub) falls within the top 0.33 per cent of the most deprived areas nationally.

“Statistically speaking, teenagers in this area are less likely to stay in school and more likely to become NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

“Using cricket as the hook, we are aiming to change perceptions of the children, to show them that they can go to university and get their dream job and it’s clear from the feedback we have received from the children, that today (the Hull event) has really done this.”

All participants benefited from a cricket skills and drills session, and took part in a campus tour, highlighting what going to university is like, aligning with the theme of ‘Aspirations’.

In the tournament, teams battled it out for the inaugural Old Trafford and Headingley trophy, with team Bradford (12-14 age group) winning the latter.

The day finished on a high as all the children were encouraged to write a ‘letter to myself’ to remind them of the day and what they had taken from it.

Mohammed, 14, said: “When I’m old enough, I would like to go to university. I would like to go because I can start a career. I would like to do such as a medical doctor or chef or artist.

“When I’m older I would like a job with a good salary and do other things such as help the community, so it will help other people.”

Wicketz is a free community cricket programme, that gives young people, aged eight to 19, opportunities to take part in cricket and enjoy physical activity regardless of background, circumstances or ability.

The programme is about more than cricket. It provides wider opportunities to develop social and personal skills, as well as providing health awareness and life skills workshops.

The first ‘Unity of the Roses’ event was held in October 2018 in Bradford, with the second held at Old Trafford this February.

For more information on Wicketz Leeds and Bradford, email Ben.Fraser@yorkshirecricketfoundation.com