Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) eased to a comfortable triumph over Midhurst Rother College (MRC) on a baking hot day at Hove this week
Mark Robinson reckons his triumphant Brighton Aldridge Community Academy sides can continue their Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup ‘adventures’ and go all the way to Lord’s.
Director of cricket Robinson, who led England women to World Cup glory back in 2017, watched on as his U15 boys’ outfit triumphed in the Sussex regional finals of the trailblazing new state school competition.
The brainchild of Michael Vaughan, the Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup is a national hard ball competition for state schools across the UK – with over 1,100 boys’ and girls’ teams from more than 800 schools entering the inaugural edition.
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) eased to a comfortable triumph over Midhurst Rother College (MRC) on a baking hot day at Hove this week.
BACA captain Diyon De Silva delivered a starring performance as Robinson’s side secured a dominant 148-run victory on the south coast, with the girls’ side also progressing.
The boys’ and girls’ finals will be held on the Main Ground at Lord’s on September 10, with regional semi-finals taking place at Headingley and Wormsley in July.
And Robinson, who coached Sussex’s first team for 10 years between 2005 and 2015, said: “It’s about giving state school cricket a profile – for these kids to say they’ve played at Hove is brilliant.
“This U15 boys is a good team – we have some really good players and a lot of pathway players. We should have got to where we’ve got to – I hope [we can go all the way to Lord’s.]
“You just don’t know what’s out there – but they’re a good team, especially a good bowling team.
“Our girls team is also amazing – for them to get here is amazing. I’m looking forward for them to go into the next round and watching them have an adventure like they’re having.
“It’s about creating memories – they’re on a little journey and they’re enjoying each other’s company. They will look back on days like this as a great occasion.
“That’s what it’s all about – creating dreams, possibilities and memories for people who might not believe they could have done.”
Lucy Naumann, who plays for BACA’s U15 girls’ team, added: “It’s very exciting to be here – watching our boys’ team play is really nice.
“This competition has been so important – it’s actually the first time we’ve had a girls’ team at BACA and that’s the same for most schools. Having a league to play in has definitely opened up those options for many girls.”
Lee Saunders, whose daughter Cora plays for BACA, said: “It’s fantastic – they’ve done so well to get through.
“This competition is what it’s all about – it’s given them an opportunity to play a game in a competitive environment.
“It’s a great competition for everyone to be able to participate in and they should all take great credit in it.”
Devised by Vaughan and MCC chair Mark Nicholas, the tournament – named after state school-educated stars Ben Stokes and Heather Knight – is organised by the MCC Foundation and supported by Barclays and the Black Heart Foundation.
The winners of each final will have their school names engraved on a new Honours Board inn the Writing Room of the Lord’s Pavilion and will raise a trophy made and designed by Thomas Lyte, the makers of the FA Cup.
The competition also sees schools in the independent sector assist with equipment and facilities, with many lending their grounds and pitches to those state schools who need it.
Jack Davies, BACA Principal, said: “It’s so good for them to be playing here – we’ve played a lot of cricket and it’s all building up to now, so it’s very exciting.
“It’s got people talking far more about state school cricket – we’ve tried hard to compete with private school cricket and having this competition is helping us do that and put ourselves on the map.
“It’s about participation more broadly – we’ve got 50 students here and we’ll be showing it back to all our students and everybody’s interested. t’s all about driving the game and narrative about the competition.”
Over a thousand teams have sign up for the chance to play at Lord’s as stars encourage greater access to cricket in state schools. Find out more: https://www.lords.org/mcc/barclays-knight-stokes-cup