Sophie O'Connor

Sophie O'Connor spent 15 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch after qualifying as an accountant with Ernst and Young. She is currently Non-Executive Director of Scottish Widows/Lloyds Banking Group Insurance, Bupa Insurance and BNY Mellon, and Trustee of MalariaNoMore UK. She has an MA in History from Cambridge University.

Sophie is married with three children, who are enjoying starting to play cricket at school and with their local club.

Latest

Creating the Right Environment

On a Saturday morning, Thornton Heath Leisure Centre is a sea of smiling faces. Across four high tempo street sessions, up to 140 young people experience the joy of cricket every week.
Chance to Shine Ashes Preview Dinner 2023

Join us for an exclusive evening at The Kia Oval, home of the most memorable moments in Ashes cricket for a rare chance to hear from Ashes legends, as they share their insights ahead of the 2023 series. The India Room, The Oval Cricket Ground, 18.30 18 May 2023
Cricket in the heart of Cardiff

In the capital of Wales, a new Street project is thriving.
test-24022023

Sir Mark Harford

Mark’s career was in business and finance, predominantly in private equity. One of five Founding Partners of Vitruvian Partners, he retired in 2019.
Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan is a former England captain and World Cup winner
Kriti Sharma

Kriti Sharma is an Artificial Intelligence technologist and a leading global voice on AI ethics.
Caspar Rock

Caspar Rock is the Chief Investment Officer at Cazenove Capital.
Alison Oliver

Ali Oliver is the Chief Executive at the Youth Sport Trust.
Doug McAllister

Doug McAllister is a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry.
Will Lawes

Will Lawes is the Managing Director at investment banking firm Lazard.
Martin Darlow

Former Chief Executive at Bedfordshire Cricket, Martin Darlow is an ECB Cricket Non-Executive Director.
Sir Danny Alexander

Former Liberal Democrat MP, Sir Danny Alexander is currently the Vice President of AIIB based in Beijing.
Dana Abdulkarim

Dana Abdulkarim is Associate Assistant Principal at Dinnington High School in Yorkshire and a former England rounders player.

Free school resources

Chance to Shine has built a powerful bank of free cricket teaching resources for primary schools so teachers can lead their own cricket sessions. The resources include lesson plans, instructional videos and top tips.
About us

Chance to Shine is a national cricket charity that works in state schools and communities to spread the power of cricket. We believe that all children should be given the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. We believe that cricket teaches children valuable skills like communication, teamwork and respect that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
STREET CRICKET

Chance to Shine Street cricket is fast, fun and free. It's played with a tapeball and requires no protective equipment. It's cricket's answer to five-a-side football.
Primary schools

Chance to Shine work in state primary schools across England and Wales supporting schools to deliver cricket coaching to their pupils. We teach cricket in primary schools and support teachers with free resources including lesson plans, videos and tips from the professionals.
The challenge

Chance to Shine believes in how the power of cricket can help children from state schools and deprived communities. We know that many children are missing out on the benefits of physical eduction particularly girls, those from a BAME background and from a lower socio-economic background.
Contact Us

Contact Chance to Shine, the national cricket charity, who spread the power of cricket in state schools and communities across the country.
Work for us

Job opportunities at children's charity Chance to Shine. Come and help us spread the power of cricket.
Secondary schools

We provide competition opportunities for children in state secondary schools. We have also developed a set of digital resources for teachers. Chance to Shine will also deliver a girls' cricket programme in secondary schools, training young leaders and developing life skills through playing the sport.
Get cricket in your school

Here's how Chance to Shine can support your school in delivering cricket.
Find Street cricket

Find your nearest Chance to Shine Street cricket project.