Jobless youngsters in UK to be taught cricket to keep them from crime

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Around 10,000 Neets (Not in Education, Employment and Training) will be taught the basic skills of cricket to gain sports qualifications, which would keep them out of trouble, by cricket’s charity organisation.

The Cricket Foundation, which is a charity organisation fully endorsed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), plans to target harsh areas that are weighed down by ­anti-social ­behaviour through its StreetChance scheme.

The StreetChance scheme also aims to stop teenagers from ditching sport at 16.

Over the next three years weekly sessions will be set up across Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, Liverpool, London and Manchester.

“Making cricket accessible in deprived, inner city areas has always been at the heart of what we work to achieve,” The Daily Mirror quoted Cricket Foundation boss Wasim Khan, as saying.

“We’re delighted that we can now extend the age group to young adults,” he added.

Khan added that lottery cash from Sport England would fund the scheme, aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds.