A charity cricket project is crossing boundaries to help turn around the lives of young people living in deprived areas of Leeds and Bradford. 

Wicketz, a Lord’s Taverners project using cricket as a tool for change, have held a presence in 16 regions of the UK since 2012 and its West Yorkshire hubs are less than a year old. 

But already the programme’s community-led approach has helped it expand to hold sessions in Barkerend and Great Horton in Bradford and Harehills in Leeds. 

Development Officer Ben Fraser maintains that Wicketz is about a lot more than cricket, taking particular pride in its workshops and campaigns that target challenging social issues. 

“This project touches lives because it’s ongoing and it’s not a fleeting kind of experience,” said Fraser, whose background includes working on the ‘Run Leeds’ citywide running project.

“This is a support mechanism for young people in the region and it’s with them right from the age of eight until 16, if they want it. 

“It uses cricket – something they’re passionate about – as a vehicle to help and develop them as people.

“We run workshops alongside our cricket that looks at healthy living, gang and knife violence, rail safety and hate crime.

“We ran a workshop on heritage the other day, focussing on Pakistani heritage and what it means to be British now. 

“One of the youngsters told us he didn’t know anything about his Pakistani background and that he’d go away and ask more questions about that – it’s an important part of their lives.”

As part of Wicketz, kids from West Yorkshire spent three unforgettable days at the programme’s national festival at Repton School from August 6-8.

The event brought together participants from across the UK, with the White Rose contingent thrown into teams alongside youngsters from Nottingham and Luton. 

Using the Derbyshire school’s world-class facilities, the 8 to 16-year-olds were put through their paces by former England and Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores and ex-England bowler Kabir Ali. 

Fraser told of the joy of his youngsters at getting to work with such established names. 

“The kids spent time with elite coaches and that’s great – it’s something they don’t have access to all of the time,” he added.

“It’s an absolute privilege and something they don’t ever get the chance to do. 

“Meeting other people and having an element of competition makes it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them. 

“They can come out of their normal surroundings and enjoy a brilliant weekend, in such fantastic facilities. All of that is a concoction to make it a great experience for them.”

Derbyshire all-rounder Luis Reece – also on hand to share his expertise with bat and ball – was enthused by the energy of the young participants.

“Everyone should have the opportunity the game we love and this programme offers that to kids who might not otherwise get the chance,” said the former Lancashire ace.

“They are talented kids who all came down with a smile on their face and asked me lots of questions, which is very rewarding to see.”

Using cricket as a tool for change, Wicketz is aimed at hard-to-reach youngsters aged 8-16 within areas of high deprivation across the UK, by engaging young people who live in communities where there are few opportunities to play the game regularly.