Ellie Threlkeld believes cricket has taken a major step towards increasing accessibility thanks to a new scheme.
The Manchester Originals star grew up without access to a cricket pitch but believes KP Snacks’ new Everyone In initiative is key to ensuring other children don’t have to do the same.
As Official Team Partner of The Hundred, KP Snacks has teamed up with the England and Wales Cricket Board to install 100 new non-turf cricket pitches across several UK cities.
And when KP Snacks hosted a coaching masterclass in Manchester to introduce the sport to more children, Threlkeld was keen to get involved.
The 25-year-old said, who was speaking at an event hosted at Cheetham Hill, one of the non-turf pitches installed in 2023 as part of the KP Snacks Everyone In Pitch Initiative: “Cricket is a sport that’s dominant in quite a lot of areas, but to get it out there to as many places and as many people as possible is something that I think is important.
“In the area I grew up cricket wasn’t very popular and there wasn’t as many opportunities to be active. I think that’s the case in a lot of areas so that’s why it’s important to try and get cricket out there.
“It’s been great to see kids pick a bat and a ball up for the first time and really enjoy themselves. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? You don’t know if you’ll enjoy a sport if you don’t have the chance to try it.”
Born and bred in Rainford, Merseyside, Threlkeld originally followed in the footsteps of her older brother by playing football.
But after switching to cricket, she now wants to see the sport continue to champion the inclusion of young people and girls too.
“I’m very passionate about growing cricket as a game for young females,” she said, speaking at an event supporting KP Snacks, who in partnership with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have committed to installing and refurbishing 100 new non-turf cricket pitches over the next three years focusing on cities and urban areas where facilities might not exist or need refurbishing over three years.
. “The lack of female athletes and visibility of women’s cricket when I was younger has played a massive part in me wanting to change that for younger generations.
“I grew up as a Liverpool fan so watching people like Steven Gerard on the TV was more common than seeing female sportspeople. It’s amazing to see how that’s changed.
“We often speak about having the opportunity to inspire the next generation and make sure those opportunities are there for young children now so it’s amazing to see that coming to fruition.”
With this year’s Hundred about to kick off, Threlkeld believes community initiatives like KP Snack’s Everyone In campaign are key to capitalising on the rise in interest in cricket and harnessing young talent.
“The Hundred’s been amazing for showing young boys and girls that there’s a pathway to get involved with cricket,” added the wicketkeeper. “The double-headers especially have worked well to get the game out there as well as grow a good fan-base. The crowds are getting bigger year on year.
“I do feel a responsibility to champion young people in the sport. We talk a lot in the changing rooms about inspiring the next generation in terms of the way we play our cricket and off the field as well.
“Making sure we have time for fans and to go to community events like this one is so important if we’re going to encourage the next generation of young people to take up the bat.”
KP Snacks are hosting a Cricket coaching masterclass with local football supporting families in Manchester introducing new audiences to the joys of a different sport. If forms part of KP Snack’s Everyone In Campaign which aims to inspire and enable families and communities to get active through cricket.
