Cricketer Keaton Jennings inspired a group of pupils from Brookhurst Primary School, Leamington Spa as part of Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week on Tuesday 25 June at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Whilst England’s cricketers took on Australia at Lord’s, Jennings held a special training session with pupils from Brookhurst Primary giving batting, bowling and fielding tips to the young cricketers. He then took part in a Q&A with the children, answering questions about his cricketing inspirations, favourite team mates and how to celebrate a big win!

The pupils also received a special private tour of the 25,000-seater stadium and were given a coaching session by the Warwickshire Cricket Board coaches. 

Speaking at the event, Jennings said “Today was a lot of fun and it’s great to be in Birmingham during Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week. The Brookhurst pupils were loving playing cricket and there were some really talented players.”

“It was awesome to see all the great work Chance to Shine does in making cricket more accessible to young people across the country”.  

For Fraser, aged 11, meeting a professional cricketer was certainly an inspiring experience, “I liked it when we played with him, it was nice to see what you have to be like to be at the top.” Classmate Jess agreed saying, “If I know someone else can become a professional cricketer, then I can try and do it”.

Chance to Shine is a national cricket charity that aims to give all children the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. They deliver coaching sessions in one in four schools across the country, teaching children life skills like communication, teamwork and respect through the sport.

Yorkshire Tea National Cricket week is a celebration of cricket, this year running from 24 – 28 June. Chance to Shine and Yorkshire Tea work together to inspire thousands of children across the country to take part in a week of cricket-themed activities in the classroom, playground and community hubs across England and Wales. Find out more at www.chancetoshine.org/national-cricket-week

This summer, donations to Chance to Shine are being matched £ for £ by charity Patron Adrian Beecroft. Donate now at chancetoshine.org/donate.