Children’s cricket charity Chance to Shine reached a landmark milestone this week, as the organisation welcomed the 6 millionth participant to pass through its programmes. 

The honour fell to Dhanya Muralidharan, a pupil from Claremont Primary School in Manchester, who enjoyed a session alongside her classmates on Thursday afternoon (21st July). 

Since its inception in 2005, Chance to Shine have worked in over 16,000 state schools across England, Wales and Scotland – whilst the charity also operates 200 community ‘street cricket’ projects in disadvantaged areas. 

Claremont Primary received a full six-week programme of coaching from the charity this year, with sessions designed not just to inspire children to play cricket, but to ensure that they learn academic and life skills whilst taking part. 
 
“The Chance to Shine programme has made a big impact on supporting teachers and pupils at Claremont,” said PE teacher, Anita Richardson. 
 
“You can really see a difference in children's throwing, catching, ball striking and thinking skills. Socially they have enjoyed working in small teams … and show values such as teamwork, respect and fair play. A noticeable impact has been the enthusiasm from children to practice these skills further, either at lunchtimes, after school clubs or with their families at home.”  
 
The school is an excellent example of Chance to Shine’s commitment to diversity, with over 50% of pupils eligible for free school meals and 98% of children coming from minority ethnic communities. 
 
Six millionth participant Dhanya, said: “It feels really nice to be the six millionth child. We’ve been playing cricket, learning how to bat, bowl and learning how to catch and trying to aim for the wickets when I’m bowling. Cricket makes me feel very happy!” 

In 2022 Chance to Shine have redoubled their efforts to ensure that as many young people as possible have the opportunity to play, learn and develop through cricket, no matter their circumstance. 

Thanks to further support from England and Wales cricket board, the charity are aiming to deliver to an additional 300 schools in the most disadvantaged parts of the country, linked to 100 new Street projects. 

Chance to Shine Chief Executive Laura Cordingley said: “We are immensely proud of this milestone and are also incredibly grateful to ECB, as well as our other partners, supporters and the incredible delivery network for helping us get to this point. We know that cricket has a wonderful impact on the young people we work with and will continue to strive to inspire as many children as possible through the sport.”  
 
This is not the only milestone the charity has reached this year, with Lauren Bell and Issy Wong recently becoming the first former participants to play for England. Read more here. 

Donations to Chance to Shine Street projects are being matched pound for pound by England and Wales Cricket Board over the next three years. For more visit chancetoshine.org/donate.