ECB releases action plan to tackle racism | Invests in ACE programme

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is offering financial support to the ACE programme with the goal of providing more opportunities for young cricketers from Black communities across the country.

ACE was established by Surrey Cricket Club in 2020 with a view to engaging a new generation of children and young people from Black communities within the recreational game and talent pathway.

The programme will use financial support from the ECB to expand into Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and additional London boroughs, having already seen success in Birmingham and Bristol during 2021.

ACE aims to build grassroots cricket programmes, develop talent pathways and talent ID systems to increase access for those from Black communities. Since its launch, the programme has created opportunities for more than 6,000 people, while over 10,000 young cricketers are expected to pass through ACE's Talent ID programme each year in the new areas.

Ebony Rainford-Brent, chair of the ACE programme, said: "This is a really significant moment for ACE. Although we started small in south London, we always envisaged this programme was going to have a big national impact. To be in six cities and on both sides of the Thames in London within two years of existence proves that our model is starting to change the game.

"ACE is focused on connecting the dots to help under-represented groups from the grassroots to the elite. We know this programme will help open up new pathways to do exactly that and are excited to partner with the teams at all these different counties to have an impact.

"We're really grateful to the ECB for this meaningful support, allowing us to build on our initial backing from Sport England and start taking ACE to the next level