Howzat for circular cricket?

Howzat for circular cricket? featured image
Photo: Spencer Cricket Club

The UK’s largest recreational cricket club is pioneering the collection and reuse of unwanted sporting equipment to cut waste and improve access to cricket for disadvantaged communities.

Spencer Cricket Club (SCC) in London, which boasts 1 550 members, has launched the Circular Cricket Gear Hub (CCG Hub) following a successful pilot last year. Nearly 400 pieces of cricket gear were donated by past and present players and redistributed to state schools and underrepresented groups.

‘Donated cricket gear is often of exceptional quality and perfectly usable,’ says SCC md Jamie Greig. ‘This initiative removes financial barriers to the sport and opens up free entry for those held back by cost.’

Circular approach

In collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Design (CSD) at the University for the Creative Arts, the Surrey Cricket Foundation and sports retailer Decathlon, the CCG Hub will collect, manage and redistribute used cricket equipment. A local Decathlon store will serve as a donation drop-off point throughout July.CSD director Martin Charter says its research shows millions of cricket items go unused every year. ‘The pilot at SCC demonstrated both the need and the potential. Gear donations exceeded expectations and supported more schools than we had planned.’

Reducing impact

To streamline the programme, CSD is developing an online stock management tool that will help track donations and their redistribution. The platform will allow schools and individuals to register needs, match them with available gear and provide data on landfill and carbon savings.Researchers will also study the social impact of the scheme on recipients to help further refine and expand the programme.

‘Cricket is for everyone,’ said Greig. ‘Through this hub, we’re making sure that no one is left out just because they can’t afford a new bat or pair of pads.’

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