Cricket Connect aims to involve almost 5,000 children from 18 secondary schools and 52 primary schools.
Three school-based hubs will be established in North Manchester, South Manchester and Bolton. Each will have a Lancashire Cricket Foundation cricket development officer delivering 30 hours of activity a week.
The programme will offer routes into playing, coaching, officiating, volunteering and leadership.
The foundation says it aims to improve access for girls, South Asian and black young people, and children with special educational needs and disabilities. It also wants to help children continue playing as they move from primary to secondary school.
Phil Ascott, fundraising manager at Lancashire Cricket Foundation, said “Cricket is engaging more children and young people across Greater Manchester each year, but sustaining participation beyond first engagement remains a significant challenge.”
The programme builds on a pilot at Burnage Academy in 2025, which connected 16 primary schools and three secondary schools.
That project provided access to cricket facilities, teacher training, leadership development, festivals and matches.
The funding comes from the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Game Changer Fund, which has up to £8 million available between 2025 and 2028 for recreational cricket boards to bid for.
Leshia Hawkins, the ECB’s managing director of the recreational game, said “By bringing together schools, clubs, community organisations and local leaders around a shared ambition, Lancashire Cricket Foundation is creating opportunities for more young people to develop a lasting connection with cricket and access the wider benefits that the sport can provide.”
