Dr Neil Hudson has recently padded up in support of boosting accessibility to grassroots cricket.
Having played cricket since he was a youngster, Dr Hudson is passionate about the benefits of the grassroots sport. As such, he stood up for improvements to Penrith Cricket Club's facilities on a recent visit, signed a parliamentary letter of support for Cumbria Cricket's youth Sri Lanka tour and recently met with the England and Wales Cricket Board CEO.
On a recent visit to Penrith Cricket Club, Dr Hudson spoke with Club Chairman, Andy Hall, about vital upgrades they are undertaking to changing facilities and the pavilion for the local community. The planned changing rooms will replace a single unit facility which is no longer fit for purpose and will allow for multiple teams to play at the same time on the two fantastic pitches either side of the club.
Dr Hudson wrote a letter of support for the development which will widen accessibility of the sport to youngsters, girls and women, and those with disabilities.
He also penned a letter on behalf of Penrith's cricket and rugby union clubs to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport expressing concern about funding being focused on centralised urban projects at the expense of rural clubs which are just as vital.
On the national level, Dr Hudson met with the England and Wales Cricket Board CEO, Richard Gould during a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cricket to discuss the state of cricket. This followed a report from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket recommends the ECB develops a set of cultural values, undertakes regular self-reporting and broadens talent pathways.
Dr Hudson specifically raised the widening of access to all communities as well as the need to increase terrestrial TV coverage to inspire the next generation of cricketers.
Dr Neil Hudson MP, said:
“I was bowled over by the incredible community spirit on display at Penrith Cricket Club and am 100% behind their project to improve facilities.
“From keeping people healthy and teaching our young folk valuable lessons about life to forming a social hub for the community and boosting local pride, Penrith Cricket Club is an incredible asset to local people and must be supported.
"I’m a huge cricket fan and have been glued to Test Match Special on the radio during the Ashes – but you don’t get the likes of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali or Tammy Beaumont without brilliant grassroots clubs like Penrith and the wider cricket across the counties.
"Moreover, I met with the England and Wales Cricket Board CEO to discuss how we can improve access the sport across the nation so that everyone can benefit from the power cricket has to change lives. I will keep pushing the case for more free to air terrestrial TV coverage of our international cricket, so that we can inspire the next generation of youngsters into the game.”
