Cricket coaching for primaryand secondary schools in Essex
Curriculum lessons, after-school clubs, competitions and CPD for staff, delivered by ECB-qualified coaches who are Safeguarding Youth Cricket trained, enhanced DBS checked and first aid certified. Funded through Chance to Shine where your school qualifies, or booked directly.
Chance to Shine, delivered by Centurion
Chance to Shine is the national charity that funds free cricket in state primary schools. In Essex it is delivered through Essex Cricket in the Community, who bring Centurion in for Colchester, Harwich and Southend.
What your school gets
Weekly sessions over a half-term, aligned to the PE curriculum, with teachers encouraged to join in so cricket carries on after we leave.
How schools are chosen
Essex Cricket in the Community invites selected state primary schools each year until the funding for the area is used. If you would like to be considered, tell us below.
After the programme
Pupils get a route into a local club, and many schools book an after-school club or a paid block to keep going.
Our Chance to Shine delivery
| Year | Schools | Lessons | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 | 361 | 1760+ |
| 2024 | 26 | 487 | 2235+ |
| 2025 | 36 | 696 | 3875+ |
| 2026 | 33 | 796 | 4060+ |
Figures as published on centurioncricket.co.uk; 2026 is the year to date.
We recently had David Digby in our school who delivered a chance to shine programme. All teachers whose classes were involved said that David was great with the children and every session was engaging, progressive and informative. Many children that took part now say that they want to join a local cricket club which is brilliant news.
Antonio CarnevaleGoogle review
Programmes you can book directly
Every school is different, so we scope each one with you. These are the building blocks.
Curriculum PE blocks
Cricket within the curriculum, from Year 1 to Year 6 and into secondary, planned with your PE lead.
After-school clubs
Popular with children and parents; run termly, with a route to area and county competitions.
Competitions
Support entering local and county cricket competitions, including Chance to Shine Street tournaments.
CPD for teaching staff
Practical training so staff can teach cricket confidently all year round.
Young leaders
Development opportunities for pupils who want to lead, umpire and score.
Club links
Stronger connections between your school and local cricket clubs, so pupils have somewhere to play next.
Centurion Community Cricket have been fantastic with our students at Colchester Royal Grammar School. Their professionalism and technical coaching are of the highest standard, and every session is delivered with real quality and reliability. I would highly recommend them to any school or individual looking for outstanding cricket coaching.
Mr FrancisHead of PE, Colchester Royal Grammar School
Centurion Community Cricket took our school’s cricket skills to another level. Excellent skills progression was coupled with outstanding control of the children to ensure lessons were fun and could be accessed by all. The after school club was also very popular with the children and the opportunity was highly appreciated by parents.
Mr O’LoughlinPE Lead, Hamilton Primary School
Ask about a programme
Tell us a little about the school and what you have in mind. David will come back to you to scope it properly.
Every Centurion coach is
- An ECB Coaches Association member
- Safeguarding Youth Cricket trained
- Enhanced DBS checked
- First aid certified
We follow ECB safeguarding guidelines and codes of conduct. Policies and safeguarding