ALTON Cricket Club is facing one of its biggest challenges to date - it has been invited to take part in the national Chance to Shine (C2S) scheme, a major new initiative to regenerate competitive cricket in state schools. The scheme, which is headed by the Bank of England Chairman Mervyn King, aims to increase participation in the sport in schools up and down the country. Set up by the Cricket Foundation, C2S has launched a five-year plan to raise £50 million to invest in school cricket - money it hopes will be matched by government. And Alton is one of 100 clubs which have been asked to pioneer the scheme. The much-needed funds will be targeted at term- time and holiday coaching programmes, staff training, improvements to school grounds and facilities, and the establishment of more competitive games in schools. C2S also hopes to bring more girls and youngsters from ethnic minorities into the game. But, organisers say, the primary aim is to increase participation levels in a game that is enjoying a surge in popularity. Thanks to the appeal, Alton will receive funds to set up and run coaching programmes in local schools, as well as to establish inter-school competitions. There is some competitive cricket in state secondary schools in and around Alton but local clubs are currently the main incubators of young talent. Alton runs five Colts sides and they played 87 matches in 2006. The U17s clinched a district league and cup 'treble', while the U15s were district champions. Alton chairman Paddy Heffernan is enthusiastic about the project which, he hopes, will benefit the community and grassroots cricket. He sympathises with the schools' situation. He told The Herald: "Schools are under huge pressure to deliver better and better exam results and over the years there has been a massive reduction in the number of schools playing competitive cricket. "The benefits of this scheme to schools, the community and to grassroots clubs like Alton could be fantastic. "We will get funding from C2S for the first three years but after that we hope the scheme will be self-financing. We are looking to get the council and local businesses on board and make this a long-term partnership." Alton has already appointed a manager and assigned coaches for the scheme and on Monday representatives from 10 local secondary and primary schools turned out for a presentation on how the Chance to Shine could benefit them. This is another major boost for Alton Cricket Club, which was recently awarded the prestigious 'Clubmark' accreditation, recognition for its commitment to, and excellence in, the development of young cricket talent.
