In 2010, 10 year-old Georgia Davis took part in her first cricket coaching session at Moor Hall Primary School near Birmingham. Although some of her family played cricket, it was not something she’d ever taken much interest in until the Chance to Shine sessions began.

Georgia, who admits she was quite a quiet child, picked the game up with ease and was soon recommended to take part in county age group trials for Warwickshire. Georgia hasn’t looked back since, growing in confidence as she moved up through the age groups at Warwickshire, making her first team debut aged 15.

She made her debut in the Kia Super League for the Yorkshire Diamonds in 2019 and was drafted to play for the Northern Superchargers in the inaugural Hundred competition before its postponement. “Being drafted for the Hundred was amazing, I ended up agreeing to go back up to Yorkshire after speaking to Dani Hazell. Being a part of that was so exciting, it’s massively disappointing that it’s not going ahead. To be around those types of players [England’s Lauren Winfield and Australia’s Alyssa Healey], playing in a new, exciting competition, it would have been incredible. I’d love to be involved in it when it does go ahead.”

As well as being an outstanding cricketer, Georgia now also coaches on the Chance to Shine programme. After leaving school, she completed her coaching qualifications and began delivering for Warwickshire Cricket Board. In 2018/19 she delivered over 200 hours of Chance to Shine coaching, including back at her old school Moor Hall. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something to help the game. I want to inspire young children like I was and give them the opportunity that I had. It’s a great feeling, I want to grow the game and particularly the women’s game. If you can inspire just one girl to carry on playing that feels like a win!”

For Georgia, it’s no understatement to say that the Chance to Shine programme, which turns 15 this week, changed her life: “I wouldn’t be playing cricket, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Chance to Shine programme. There’s so many people I know who wouldn’t be playing cricket without it. Even if it’s just getting kids to a local club to have a bit of fun or if it’s them going on and playing for England. It’s so important to expose them to the game and to help them play and have fun with their friends. There wouldn’t be half as many people playing without Chance to Shine.”

This summer, donations to Chance to Shine are being matched by Charity Patron Adrian Beecroft. Please give today at chancetoshine.org/donate.