Three-year investment will accelerate inclusive, health-improving Walking Cricket across Surrey—growing from 390 to 1,200 participants and expanding to 53 clubs by 2028.
The Surrey Cricket Foundation (SCF) is delighted to announce a £60,000 grant from the Titsey Estate Foundation to support the growth of Walking Cricket across the county from 2026 to 2028.
Walking Cricket is a slower-paced, inclusive format designed especially for older adults and people managing long-term health conditions or disabilities. Participants report improved physical and mental wellbeing, new friendships, and valuable life skills through the game.
Although Walking Cricket had existed on a small scale in Surrey for more than five years—with activity in Epsom and Cobham—SCF began a concerted effort to develop and enhance the offering in 2022, identifying the format as a significant growth opportunity. With seed funding from the Sport England Together Fund and sponsorship from Coaching Centred Leadership, SCF has worked with clubs across the county to expand the community from 3 clubs to 17 by 2025. In the past year alone, participation has grown by over 80%, with more than 390 Walking Cricketers now involved, including Surrey’s first women-only club. Ten clubs are already signed up for the 2026 season, and continued growth is expected over the next three years.
What the Funding Will Enable
Backed by the Titsey Foundation’s investment, SCF will:
- Launch 12 new Walking Cricket provisions per year across Surrey for the next three years—expanding from 17 clubs in 2025 to 53 by the end of 2028—including at least five women’s-specific sessions each year.
- Grow participation from 390 to 1,200 people during the funding period.
- Develop partnerships with local-authority leisure centre operators to deliver sustainable community sessions countywide.
Get Involved
If you are interested in taking part in Walking Cricket—whether you’re new to the game or returning after many years—SCF would love to hear from you. Please contact Surrey Cricket Foundation’s Walking Cricket Officer, Kim Price, at kprice@surreycricket.com to register your interest or learn more about opportunities near you.
“The investment from the Titsey Foundation is truly game‑changing and will enable us to continue the exponential growth of Walking Cricket across Surrey for the next three years. We know that Walking Cricket provides a huge number of benefits to its participants, and this funding will help us develop sustainable activity across the county as we aspire to reach well over 1,000 older people in the years to come. We thank the Titsey Foundation for their generous contribution and look forward to working with them over the years to come.” Simon Hards, Assistant Director of Participation, Surrey Cricket Foundation.
A Shared Heritage: Titsey Estate & Surrey County Cricket Club
Titsey Place—near Oxted—is one of Surrey’s largest historic estates, preserved by a charitable foundation and renowned for its 16th‑ to 19th‑century heritage and landscaped gardens shaped by the Leveson‑Gower family in the Victorian era. The estate’s cricketing connection is embodied by Sir Henry Dudley Gresham “Shrimp” Leveson Gower (born at Titsey in 1873), who played first‑class cricket for Surrey and Oxford University, captained England on the 1909–10 South Africa tour, and later served the game as Chairman of England Test selectors in 1924 and from 1927 to 1930. He was also President of Surrey County Cricket Club from 1929 to 1930. This enduring link between Titsey and Surrey’s cricketing story adds special significance to the Foundation’s support for inclusive, community‑focused cricket today. Major Richard Leveson Gower, one of the two Founders of The Titsey Foundation, was also a lifelong supporter and member of Surrey County Cricket Club.
About Surrey Cricket Foundation
The Surrey Cricket Foundation (SCF) is the charitable arm supporting cricket at all levels across Surrey. Working with clubs, schools, local authorities and community partners, SCF delivers programmes that make cricket accessible, inclusive and sustainable, improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities through the sport. Through our commitment to Making More Happen, we strive to create more opportunities, reach more communities, and inspire more people to experience the benefits of cricket—on and off the field. Learn more: www.surreycricketfoundation.org.
About the Titsey Foundation CIO
The Titsey Foundation preserves Titsey Place and Gardens for public benefit and, from time to time, makes grants to local charities and organisations in need of support. The Foundation’s objectives include conservation, education, and enabling access to recreational and cultural amenities. More information: www.titsey.org.
