A charity cricket programme is satisfying the appetite of Plymouth youngsters in more ways than one.

Wicketz, a Lord’s Taverners project using cricket as a tool for change, is thriving in 16 regions across the UK and launched its successful Plymouth hub in September 2017.

The programme, working in Millbay, North Prospect and St. Budeau, has chosen to sharpen its focus onto healthy eating and make runner beans as regular a feature as runs on the board.

Development Officer Vicky Reeve, who has fostered close links with the Sugar Smart awareness push and Plymouth School of Creative Arts, hails the scheme’s life-changing impact.

“The children play cricket with me in the first half of the session and then they go downstairs to learn all about healthy eating and healthy alternatives,” said the Cornwall-born organiser.

“They initially don’t want to try some of the healthy stuff we serve up but now they’re really engaging and trying new foods they wouldn’t have done before.

“The commitment they show and the smiles on their faces are fantastic to see. 

“We’ve turned around lots of kids – one of our regulars was excluded from school but after working with us, he’s now back at school and behaving better in class.

“Plymouth is not a big cricketing city and to introduce the sport to places where they don’t normally have the chance to play makes it really special.”

The programme aims to establish community cricket clubs in hard-to-reach, deprived areas where opportunities to play sport are lower than the national average.

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

The event brought together Wicketz participants from across the country, with the Plymouth contingent thrown into teams alongside youngsters from Glasgow.

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

Reeve, whose sessions run at the Mayflower Community Academy in North Prospect and Marine Academy in St. Budeau, revelled in the richness of the experience given to her kids. 

“We had one of the longest trips of any group - five hours on a coach early in the morning- but the kids have absolutely loved it,” she said.  

“They were so proud to be there and one of them even bought kit specifically to come to Repton!

“They met friends from all over the country with different accents and backgrounds and it had the real feel of a holiday 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.