Chris Woakes, the former England bowler who won two World Cups with the national team, has thrown his weight behind the ECB’s latest push to bring cricket into state schools. The English Cricket Board has launched Cricket For Teachers, a free training programme aimed at PE staff, alongside a new soft-ball competition for students. The ambition is bold: reach more than half of all state secondary schools by the end of 2028, touching 3,500 teachers and 1,700 schools along the way.
Woakes retired from international cricket in 2025 after 217 caps across all formats. His endorsement carries weight with the ECB, which is betting that a former England star can sell the idea of cricket as a school subject rather than a club sport.
The Programme And The Competition
Cricket For Teachers is designed to give PE teachers the confidence, skills and knowledge to run cricket sessions for students of all abilities. Schools that join the programme will receive training, resources, equipment and ongoing support, with the goal of building a lasting cricket culture on campus.
The package is aimed at teachers who may not have played the game themselves. The ECB wants to arm them with the practical skills needed to teach batting, bowling and fielding, plus the rules and tactics that make the game playable in a school setting. The programme is free, which removes one financial hurdle for schools.
Alongside the training programme, the ECB has introduced Secondary Countdown Cricket, a mass-participation soft ball competition for students aged 11 to 16. Funding will cover training, equipment, resources and competitive playing opportunities, with the stated aim of making cricket more accessible than ever before.
Woakes On The Push
Woakes spoke directly to the importance of early exposure to the game. He recalled his own path into cricket as a schoolboy.
“I was fortunate enough to discover my love of cricket through opportunities at school and in my local community, and I know how important those experiences can be for young people,” he said.
His second statement was more pointed. He framed the ECB’s initiatives as a chance to expand the base of young players.
“These programmes will help introduce cricket to many more children who may never have picked up a bat and ball before. The more opportunities we can provide in state schools, the stronger and more inclusive the future of our game will be.”
Woakes is not a neutral observer here. His World Cup wins with England make him a recognisable face. His endorsement is designed to carry weight with parents, teachers and school leaders who might be weighing whether cricket deserves a place in the curriculum.
Richard Thompson’s Commitment
Richard Thompson, the ECB chair, spelled out the wider strategy behind the launch. The programmes sit under the State School Action Plan, which the ECB launched with a pledge to create more opportunities for young people from every background to experience cricket.
“When we launched the State School Action Plan, we made a commitment to create more opportunities for young people from every background to experience cricket. Today’s launch is an important step in delivering that commitment,” he said.
Thompson also made the case for why state schools matter. He noted that they educate the vast majority of young people in England and Wales, which means they hold the key to making cricket genuinely open to everyone.
“State schools educate the vast majority of young people in England and Wales, so if we are serious about making cricket the most inclusive team sport in the country, we must ensure those schools have the support they need,” he said.
He closed by tying the two initiatives together. Both Cricket For Teachers and Secondary Countdown Cricket are aimed at removing barriers, building teacher confidence and giving young people the chance to enjoy everything the sport has to offer.
What The Numbers Mean
The scale of the ECB’s ambition is clear from the figures. More than half of all state secondary schools is a large share of the total. Over 3,500 teachers and 1,700 schools is a significant rollout, and the 2028 deadline means the ECB is working on a multi-year timeline.
| Target | Number |
|---|---|
| Teachers reached by 2028 | More than 3,500 |
| Schools reached by 2028 | More than 1,700 |
| Share of state secondary schools targeted | More than half |
| Deadline | End of 2028 |
The programme’s free status is worth noting. Training costs are covered, which removes a financial hurdle for schools. Equipment funding is also part of the package, meaning schools do not have to buy cricket gear themselves.
Key Facts Box
- Cricket For Teachers: free teacher training programme
- Secondary Countdown Cricket: soft ball competition for 11 to 16 year olds
- Goal: reach more than half of all state secondary schools by end of 2028
- Teachers touched: more than 3,500
- Schools touched: more than 1,700
- Woakes: two-time World Cup winner, 217 caps across all formats
- Retirement: 2025
The programme’s design shows intent. The ECB is not just sending coaches into schools; it is building a system where schools can sustain cricket on their own terms. Training, resources and ongoing support are all part of the package.
The soft ball competition adds a practical element. It gives students a reason to play beyond the lesson, and it provides a structured way for schools to run competitive events. The equipment funding means schools do not have to spend their own budgets on cricket balls, stumps and other essentials.
A Fair Word
The ECB’s pitch rests on a simple idea: cricket belongs in schools, and the tools to teach it should be within reach of every teacher. Woakes’ endorsement is a clear signal of support for the initiative.
The question now is delivery. The programmes have been announced, but reaching the target numbers depends on how well the ECB puts its plans into action. Funding, training availability and teacher uptake will all determine whether this becomes a real presence in state schools.
The ECB has set a deadline and named its targets. Whether the game actually finds a home in more classrooms is something to watch closely over the coming years.
See the video the story is built around at Sky Sports.
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