Bringing Communities Together Through Cricket

The second year of the Cheshire Cricket Board Communities Outdoor League was a huge success, marking an exciting milestone for cricket in the County! The competition brought together eight brilliant teams, up from six in the first year, from across Warrington, Stockport and surrounding areas, all taking part in a unique, specially designed format created in collaboration with the teams themselves.

Over several weeks of matches played at local grounds in Warrington and Stockport, the league showcased high-quality cricket, friendly rivalries, and great sportsmanship. Each game brought energy, excitement, and a fantastic community atmosphere — with players and supporters coming together to cheer on their local sides. The format, developed to encourage both competitiveness and enjoyment, proved to be a real winner, with teams and spectators alike praising the balance between fun and fierce competition.

A key part of what made the CCB Outdoor Cricket League so special was its strong connection to the South Asian communities who helped shape and support the event. Many of the players, volunteers, and organisers are part of these communities, and their passion for cricket has always been a driving force behind CCB’s work.

CCB Community Manager, Rehaan Rather commented: “I am pleased to observe the community’s involvement in informal cricket settings. This engagement reflects a positive commitment to collaboration, well-being, and community spirit. We remain dedicated to encouraging opportunities that bring people together in meaningful ways.”

The league provided a platform for people to not only play the game they love but also to build friendships, strengthen community ties, and celebrate cultural unity through sport. Shibin Sunny, whose team comes from Warrington took part for the first time this year and he commented: “It was good to see this initiative from Cheshire Cricket. It allows many of our players to continue to play cricket because we don’t have time to play on weekends, as it is a short format and accessible for us.

Shibun continued: “With fixtures in Warrington, it made it comfortable for us on most weeks to travel and we really enjoyed connecting with other teams. We really liked the format and competitiveness of the league and look forward to taking part next time. “

Beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch, the league reflects CCB’s wider mission — using sport as a tool to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and positive community engagement. The success of this season shows just how powerful cricket can be in bringing people together and inspiring new opportunities for collaboration.

We’re already planning for an even bigger and better season next year, with more teams, more matches, and more ways for local people to get involved. A huge thank you goes out to all the teams, volunteers, and supporters who made this year such a success — your enthusiasm and commitment have set the foundation for something truly special.

Watch our short videos:

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