Surrey launches ‘Cricket Retired’ campaign.
Through a trio of interlinked campaigns in 2023, Surrey aims to show the positive impact that involvement in cricket can have throughout life, even if you are not a professional player – or have never been.
Over the course of the It’s Not Just Sport It’s Art campaign, Surrey has worked with children and young people, telling stories from Surrey’s history and asking why they love the sport of cricket.
In the recently launched A Life in Cricket campaign, we decided to shine a spotlight on career opportunities in the cricket industry.
Finally, with Cricket In Retirement, we want to show how the cricket community can be of service as people leave the workforce and enter their retirement years.
If you or someone you know have a story you’d like to tell, or just want to share your experiences of the positive impact cricket has had in your retirement years, please email us [email protected] with your name, age and a little bit about why cricket is such an important part of your life.
As part of this campaign, Surrey CCC will also work closely with the Surrey Cricket Foundation to showcase the important work surrounding walking cricket.
This will build on the event that took place at the Kia Oval during the lunch break of the Surrey LV= Insurance County Championship game against Northamptonshire last June.
Saw this event Players from the Epsom Thoroughbreds, Pirbright Penguins and Cobham Cavaliers take part in an exhibition game and show the Kia Oval crowd how the game is played.
Walking cricket, in its simplest form, is a walking version of the game that offers a number of people the opportunity to continue participating in a sport they love. Walking cricket offers opportunities to manage physical and mental health and provide a social network for others with a passion for the game.
Walking cricket sessions are mixed and players do not need protective gear such as pads, gloves or a helmet as a softball is used and anything else needed is provided.
While not exclusive to the older generation, walking cricket has proven particularly useful for keeping people active and social in their later years.
Simon Hards, Deputy Director of Cricket Participation at the Surrey Cricket Foundation, who is responsible for the walking cricket schemes, said at the time: “Diversity is so important to us and that covers many areas, including age. Walking cricket is another option for our older players who may no longer be involved in the game or are trying to maintain interest in it.
“We want to encourage more clubs to offer walking cricket. We believe it could offer clubs a great added value for their local communities and walking cricket is an activity that is easy to set up and carry out.
“Walking cricket can keep people in the game into their 80s, which means they play the game for a lifetime.”
The Surrey Cricket Foundation have worked with a number of clubs across Surrey to encourage the development of more walking cricket centers and to find out more or find your nearest one please email [email protected].
If you or someone you know has a story you’d like to tell, or just want to share your experiences of the positive impact cricket has had in your retirement years, please email us [email protected]
Throughout the summer we will try to speak directly to people about their experiences, so you may be contacted by someone at the club to arrange a longer interview if you would like to do so.
To find out more about the work of the Surrey Cricket Foundation click here
