Queens Park is a part of the borough that has been growing its cricket presence for over a decade, and while the traditional cricket season is well and truly over, one club continues to give youngsters the opportunity to pick up a bat.
The Queens Park Street Club is a cricket club that is funded by the independent cricket charity Chance to Shine, who work with over 600,000 children per year, targeting areas of deprivation and children who may not have many opportunities to engage in sport – mainly cricket.
The programme is designed to engage young people aged 8 to 24, with the weekly sessions free of charge and requiring no equipment, empowering participants to shape how they play.
The club has flourished since its inception a decade ago, despite facing various challenges along the way, thanks to the unwavering commitment of its coaches.
Led by head coach, Abid Hussain, who has been involved since day one, the club provides a safe, supportive environment for young people to thrive. Two former participants, Moin and Faheem, now serve as coaches themselves, inspiring the next generation.
A safe environment for kids
On 21 November, the Street Club was recognised at the National Chance To Shine Awards as Street Club of the Year 2024.
The Club also reached the final in the National Street Club competition, falling just short of officially becoming the best Street Club in the UK.
James Oxley from Cricket East paid tribute to the team behind the Chance to Shine programme.
“Abid has been the main driving force of the club and has been there since the very beginning, he has given countless children the chance to play, learn and develop through the power of cricket.
“There are no two better examples than Moin and Faheem, both previous participants, now fully fledged coaches and inspirations to the club’s current participants.
“The Street Club provides a safe environment for kids to express themselves, talk about their feelings and make long lasting friendships.
“Abid, Moin and Faheem have worked to create this environment, becoming role models to the young participants, giving them a voice and allowing them to shape their own journey in cricket and in their lives.”
You can find out more about the Chance to Shine charity here, while you can find out all about Cricket East’s work across the Region here.
