Surrey County Cricket Club

Harris Academy Purley are pleased to announce a partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club in support of their State School Sixth Form Cricket Programme. 

The programme offers young people access to high-quality cricket coaching as well as strength and conditioning training while completing their sixth-form academic studies. 

Harris Academy Purley will accept students on the cricket programme from September, having joined what has now become a network of 12 partner schools across Surrey and south London. 

Launched in early 2023, with three partner sites initially, the programme has found success in each of its first two years, seeing an increase of 266% in the number of applicants and a 150% rise in the number of places offered across eight partner schools. 

Alongside delivering cricket coaching and sixth-form academic studies, the programme also supports students in learning more about cricket as a business by offering a host of employability workshops and certified courses. Such a curriculum provides them with opportunities to acquire vocational and life skills in the areas of hospitality, coaching, media, groundskeeping, and more.

For instance, many of the pupils from the existing cohort have already completed the Support Coaching Course and are now gaining experience as volunteer cricket coaches with the Surrey Cricket Foundation as well as helping deliver cricket sessions to local primary school children, who attend the Ben Hollioake Learning Centre at The Kia Oval. 

Steve Elworthy, Chief Executive Officer at Surrey CCC, said: “The Sixth Form Cricket Programme has been offering brilliant opportunities for young people from state schools to upgrade their cricketing skills as well as learn about employability in the sport. The programme is of immense importance for everyone at Surrey and we’re delighted to see it growing from strength to strength.

“I would like to welcome Harris Academy Purley to the Surrey Family and keenly look forward to working with them in successfully delivering this programme in Croydon.”

For those interested in knowing more about the programme and how to apply, Judy Wallis, Sixth Form Programme Lead at Surrey CCC, is conducting online presentations in March, May, and September. Register your interest here.

Alternatively, to get more information on how to get involved, email jwallis@surreycricket.com