Celebrating Activators

activator case studies

Don’t be afraid of volunteering even if you’re unsure what you can offer

This week, The Big Help Out campaign begins – showcasing how volunteering benefits both the community and the people who take part. The aim is to get more people volunteering in their local communities and joining a network of people across the country having a huge impact. In our latest blog, we hear from Nav Gahonia about her experiences of volunteering in cricket and why she wants more women to get involved.


It all started when my daughter took part in All Stars Cricket in June 2019. I thought it would be great to take part in the sessions with her but I quickly noticed that there were lots of dad helpers and hardly any mums! I’m incredibly proud to have introduced my daughter to cricket. I see her grow every step of the way, from All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket through to the pathway where she now plays in tournaments for her club.


I’ve always considered myself sporty. I’ve loved watching and playing cricket but I’d never been asked to help with coaching or organisational aspects before and I wasn’t sure if I could do it. But after being a parent helper with All Stars Cricket, I decided to become an activator for Dynamos Cricket, actively taking part in sessions and helping run them. My fellow activators were welcoming and the programme was well-structured and fun to run with the boys and girls.


Having visible female representation in cricket at all levels is crucial in encouraging more girls into playing the game. I’ve gone from a parent helper to now being a volunteer coach on the Northamptonshire girls’ County U11 pathway. I enjoyed that experience so much that I’ve trained as an ECB Support Coach and I’m currently looking into the Foundation Level 1 coaching course as the next step. I just want to keep doing my bit in the game I love so much.


Volunteering in cricket has so many benefits. You help people to develop their skills and have fun and I really feel like I’m giving back to my community. Whether it's taking care of some more administrative elements so that lead coaches can spend more time with the girls in training or taking part in some interesting training courses which I’ve used outside of cricket – it’s incredibly rewarding.


I really enjoy watching as the girls in the U11 pathway develop and grow. As it is quite a small group, we get to know the girls and can see how they are improving each time they come for training. By being a welcoming, female face in these sessions, I feel I can offer an extra dimension to the programmes I volunteer with that enhances the overall experience for the girls taking part.


My advice to any woman thinking of volunteering is cricket is simple: don’t be afraid of volunteering even if you aren’t sure what you can offer. For girls to become more engaged with cricket they need to see women of all ages involved in their clubs in the same way that men are. Clubs are always looking for more volunteers to help coach sessions or join in games and you don’t need to have any particular experience or skills – just a willingness to help!


You can start your volunteering journey in cricket by becoming an All Stars Cricket or Dynamos Cricket activator.

Over 2,000 more South Asian women now volunteering in cricket as Dream Big programme reaches landmark

ECB's Dream Big Desi Women programme is funded by Sport England and set out to inspire women from South Asian backgrounds to volunteer in cricket through delivering All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket sessions.


More than 2,000 women from South Asian backgrounds have taken up volunteer roles in cricket in just under four years, thanks to an ECB initiative which is making the sport more inclusive.


Funded by Sport England and a central pillar of the ECB’s South Asian Action Plan, the Dream Big Desi Women programme set out to inspire 2,000 women from South Asian backgrounds to volunteer in cricket through delivering All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket sessions – two ECB-backed schemes for children – and has hit its target ahead of schedule.


Each of the 2,000 volunteers have been delivering sessions for children and at least 10%  have gone on to take up full-time roles in sport in local communities across the UK, with many taking up further qualifications in cricket coaching.


Rolled out in England’s most ethnically diverse communities, the programme dismantles barriers faced by South Asian women by taking cricket into non-traditional venues including mosques, temples and gurdwaras. The programme also provides playing kit specially tailored to South Asian cultures, gives participants a chance to build networks in local communities, and has delivered mental health awareness training for over 200 of the participants.


A special celebration of the programme will be held at Lord’s on 24 September 2022 as England Women take on India Women in a Royal London One Day International, with fans being able to enjoy traditional South Asian activities including kitemaking, Henna and South Asian food.


Dream Big Desi Women participant Harpreet Kalsi-Virdi said: “Dream Big Desi Women transformed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I went from having no real experience of sport to coaching at three separate cricket clubs in Nottingham and running cricket sessions in a local school alongside my day job. My family have been nothing but supportive and I am proud to be a role model for my twin daughters and their friends.”


ECB Chief Operating David Mahoney, who was instrumental in creating the programme,  said: “The Dream Big Desi Women programme has been a remarkable project led by an incredible group of women at the ECB. This was an ambitious target, so it is heartening to have reached the milestone of inspiring over 2,000 South Asian women to volunteer into cricket in just under four years.


“The programme, created in partnership with Sport England, has created an amazing team of volunteers that have inspired thousands of children in communities across the UK to play cricket, connecting communities and improving lives, and it is entirely fitting that we will celebrate the volunteers’ achievements on the day England play India at Lord’s.”


Shruti Saujani, the ECB’s Engagement Lead for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, who led the programme from its inception, said: “The Dream Big Desi Women programme has been central to our South Asian Action Plan by creating more opportunities for the South Asian community to get involved in cricket at every level. It’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm and energy these volunteers have brought to cricket, and how in many cases it has changed their lives. The programme has also benefitted thousands of children in South Asian communities who can now get involved in cricket in ways that didn’t exist before.”


Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth said: “With thanks to National Lottery players for making this partnership a possibility, it’s with great pride that we can celebrate Dream Big having reached its target of engaging 2,000 South Asian female cricket volunteers.


“Volunteering in sport is a true force for good and positively impacts both those giving up their time and the communities they serve to support. We know the importance of seeing yourself reflected in your local clubs and activities, and that is why Dream Big and its impact continues to be so important.”


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A guide on...

How to Celebrate Volunteers

Nominations for The Cricket Collective Awards 2023 are now open. An opportunity to recognise the Activators and volunteers making a difference in your community, this year we will be celebrating our local legends across 11 categories:

  • Connecting Communities
  • Inspired to Play
  • Growing the Game
  • Lifetime Achiever
  • SafeHands Award
  • Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year


  • Cricket Innovators
  • Unsung Hero
  • Rising Star Award
  • Game Changer
  • Tackling Climate Change


To submit nominations please get in touch with your local County Cricket Board for full details.

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