England stars backing campaign giving free cricket kits to underprivileged school kids

England cricket star Chris Jordan is backing a new initiative to give more school children the opportunity to play the game.

The all-rounder is an ambassador for Bat For A Chance (BFAC) , which is giving away 1,000 free starter cricket kits to kids in England, Scotland and Wales.

Under the ‘Changing The Batter Order’ campaign name, it’s targeting under-served schools and community groups to get more kids into the sport.

Chris said: ““Cricket gave me everything — discipline, belief, a sense of where I belonged. Growing up, having access to the game wasn’t a given, and I know how much of a difference it makes when a young person gets that chance. Through my work with Bat For A Chance I’ve seen first-hand what sport can unlock in kids who just needed someone to open the door. That’s exactly what Changing The Batting Order is doing, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Fellow England cricketer and BFAC Global Ambassador Maia Bouchier is also supporting the initiative.

She said: “When I was growing up, women’s cricket was very much an afterthought — the opportunities were limited, and you had to fight for every one of them. The game has changed enormously, but there are still children out there who never get the chance to pick up a bat. Changing The Batting Order is about making sure every child — regardless of where they grow up or what their background is — gets that opportunity. That means the world to me.”

Using a data-driven approach, digital partner Accuracast will use publicly available government data to identify and target the most deprived areas across England, Wales and Scotland, ensuring kits reach those communities that need them most.

Alongside community partners Sported, the programme aims to provide kit to