MCC will step up its efforts to promote cricket to young people during the new season. A combination of free admission, price freezes and price cuts will help to ensure that the largest possible number of children are introduced to cricket in 2002.
These developments will build on two initiatives – ‘Kids for Free’ and ‘Final for a Fiver’ – that were launched successfully in 2001 and which will be repeated this season.
Commenting on the Club’s plans, the MCC President, Ted Dexter, said: ‘MCC is determined to maximise the number of young people who are introduced to cricket, for the long-term good of the game.
‘During the coming season, we will be taking several important steps to help achieve that objective. First, we will be giving countless youngsters, through three special initiatives, the opportunity to watch top-class cricket without charge.
‘Second, our 2002 ticket prices will make it much more affordable for children, and families, to come to Lord’s throughout the season.
‘As a result, thousands more youngsters should get the chance to see the game for themselves. We want as many as possible to get `hooked’, so they come back to cricket – and to Lord’s – time after time.’
Free admission
The ‘Kids for Free’ scheme will run during August, when under-16s will be admitted to Lord’s free of charge for Middlesex’s county games. In addition, four associated ‘activity days’ will be arranged to help ensure that children can enjoy their visits to Lord’s to the full. The three partners behind the scheme – Buxton Water, Middlesex CCC and MCC – all hope that it will prove every bit as successful as last season, when it was first introduced.
Free admission will also be given to under-16s who want to attend the MCC v Sri Lankans match at Chesterfield CC between June 6-8. The match will form part of Chesterfield’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and, with the active involvement of the ECB, will feature a strong MCC side.
The third free admission initiative involves junior Members of visiting counties: they will be given free admission to Lord’s when their sides play Frizzell County Championship matches against Middlesex during 2002.
Lower prices
Following its success in 2001, the ‘Final for a Fiver’ initiative has been extended in scope. In 2002, it will apply to both the Benson & Hedges Cup Final and the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy Final. (Last season, it applied to the C&G Final only.)
As its name suggests, ‘Final for a Fiver’ enables children’s tickets to be bought for just £5 each.
For other major matches at Lord’s this summer, the cost of tickets for under-16s will be highly competitive – ranging from £6 to £10.
The vast majority of adult ticket prices for major matches have also been reduced.
Finally, adult ticket prices for Middlesex’s matches at Lord’s have been frozen: in 2002, as in 2001, admission will cost £9 for county championship matches and £10 for National League games.
Other initiatives
MCC has also been taking other steps to promote cricket to young people. In particular, it remains strongly committed to the Buxton Water MCC Cricket Challenge: this project has already involved over 50,000 youngsters, and is being extended this season.
For further information please contact:
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
Graeme Rickman
Manager MCC Cricket Office
T:+44 20 7289 1611
F:+44 20 7432 1018
E: graeme.rickman@mcc.org.uk
W: http://www-uk.cricket.org/link_to_database/NATIONAL/ENG/CLUBS/MCC/