For the second year in a row, the four London-based cricket counties—Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, and Kent, and for the first time, the MCC Community —have collaborated to host the “London Loop,” a three-day event packed with activities for children from across the city. With cricket at its heart, the programme also gave kids a chance to try other sports, including football with Tottenham Hotspur and rugby with Saracens, along with arts, crafts, and basketball.
The overarching aims of the London Loop programme are to promote social cohesion, keep children active, and break down financial barriers to participation. By offering a diverse range of activities for free, the programme aims to provide a safe and engaging environment for children, encouraging them to step away from their screens and interact with peers from different backgrounds.
This year, with Middlesex leading the planning, the event moved to North-West London and featured a different venue each day to keep the children and adults on their toes. Day one was held at a Marylebone school, where children took part in basketball, music, drama, and arts and crafts. Day two took the children to the Home of Cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground. The morning was dedicated to cricket activities in the indoor nursery pavilion, and despite the wet weather, the kids got a tour of the grounds. They even visited the media center, where they wrote their own reports after watching the famous “by the barest of margins” clip from the 2019 World Cup Final.
The final day brought brighter weather, perfect for an outdoor trip to Regent’s Park for football and rugby. This was followed by a visit to the London Zoo, which was a huge hit with the kids.
Chris Mankelow, the ECB’s Partnership & Performance Manager for the four London counties, praised the collaborative effort; “The last three days are a great example of removing cricket’s traditional boundaries in the capital and doing something for the greater good of some deserving young Londoners.”
Approximately 100 children participated each day, and all received free breakfast and lunch from a mobile caterer. The success of the London Loop programme paves the way for future collaborations aimed at promoting physical activity and engagement among London’s youth. The Surrey Cricket Foundation is committed to continuing its role in these efforts, giving children the chance to discover the joy of sport and develop important life skills.
With another successful year completed, plans are already underway for a third “London Loop” next year.
