Halifax Cricket League junior cricketers get support from stars

The Halifax Cricket League recently got involved with Halifax SOS; a local fundraising initiative aimed at supporting grassroots sport in the region.

Coronavirus has brought so much to a juddering halt and this was an example of community activism at its best.

Snowflake Media, who put the ticketed online event together, decided to split proceeds between Halifax Rugby League Club (50%) and grassroots/junior football clubs (50%) in the area.

It means a Halifax Cricket League club will be able to apply for a grant (from £250 upwards) with the junior grants programme managed by Community Foundation for Calderdale.

The final amount raised was over £12,000 with more auctions and fundraisers planned in future.

The event itself, spread over 9-10 May, combined music, sport and comedy with a host of celebrities getting involved for a good cause. Chris Kamara, Brian Moore and Harry Gration are a quick snapshot from football, rugby and broadcasting.

Comedian Pete Emmett, who is MC at the Halifax Cricket League’s awards dinner, talked through his own sporting journey including watching Halifax in their blue and white at Thrum Hall.

For the event, the Halifax Junior Cricket League’s Phil Sharples and Kirstin Smith put together a video with a host of famous faces to encourage young cricketers during lockdown.

Cricket was represented with appearances by Ryan Sidebottom, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Will Fraine, Alex Lees and Sir Curtley Ambrose.

It can’t be every day that junior cricketers get a personal message of encouragement from county and international stars including a current Test captain.

It was really heartening during the current COVID-19 crisis to see a part of Yorkshire pull together, under its own steam, to fundraise for grassroots sport – and get support from around the world.

Credit to Phil and Kirstin for arranging the cricket video, along with Cricket Asylum at Sowerby Bridge who I understand used their extensive cricket contacts to help too.

Inspired by this?

It’s not too late to contribute. Yes, the event is past but you can donate online via Community Foundation for Calderdale. Could this be repeated in your area?

Visit the Bramleys Halifax Junior Cricket League to keep in touch while the ENCO Halifax Cricket League are running a fantasy league along with updates on coronavirus and plans for the rest of the season.