'Tapeball' Cricket back for another year

WITH THE Cricket World Cup well and truly underway, Hackney’s youngsters will once again get the opportunity to take part in Tapeball cricket this summer. Ravender Sembhy sees why cricket training is knocking London for six.



Now in its third year, the Tapeball Cricket Project in Hackney, organised by Opportunity Through Cricket, is an initiative that offers young people from inner cities with poor recreational facilities the chance to play a slightly different version of cricket.

Tapeball cricket originated on the sub-continent and uses a tennis ball strapped with tape, to make it heavier and less bouncy, and involves teams playing a shortened form of the game.

The programme will involve all the major estates in the borough.

Matt Delaney, regional director of Sport England London, who is overseeing the scheme, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the Tapeball Cricket Project. This is clearly a project that is going to make a significant difference to the local population of Hackney and will help to not only break down perceived barriers in sport, but also improve health and well-being of all sections of society, especially those that do not normally take part in sport and physical activity.”

Copyright of The Hackney Post