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It's A Hit!
WHEN Sara Yasin first saw the community cricket programme Wicketz in action, she was completely bowled over.
She was just 14 years old and had gone along to watch her younger brother Zaki play as part of an initiative set up by the charity Lord's Taverners. It was a visit that would leave its mark.
"If it hadn't been for Wicketz I would never have explored cricket, and I would not have found this game that I love - this game that really has changed my life," explained Sara, from Southampton.
Wicketz aims to give young people from disadvantaged communities a safe space to play cricket and learn new life skills.
Inspired by what she saw, Sara asked if she could join her brother on the free programme, run by Lord's Taverners - a charity supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Four years on, Sara, now 18, is not only a talented cricket player but has also become a cricket coach, an umpire for the sport, and single-handedly set up girls' cricket sessions at her former school. She travels the country as an ambassador for the charity and its Wicketz programme, which has 18 projects running across the UK.
Sara said: "Cricket is one of those sports where, unfortunately, there can be barriers to accessing it. What Wicketz does really well is remove those barriers so that young people from all walks of life can access the sport.
"One barrier could be where you live because cricket clubs are generally in more rural areas.
"Often, it's the cost that puts people off, as it can be quite expensive to play cricket - not just in terms of club fees, but also all the equipment.
"Where I grew up in Southampton, there was really no cricket.
"Then the Wicketz programme came along, providing coaching and an opportunity for anyone to play in the inner city. I went along to watch my brother Zaki, and really liked what I saw."
Sara, who is studying at Solent University in Southampton, said she had never been interested in cricket when both her dad and brother had previously chatted about or watched the sport.
The Wicketz programme hit her for six and helped her see it in a different way.
She said: "There was this real community feel through the Wicketz programme.
"It was such a super-welcoming environment - it didn't matter what differences people had, or even if there were any language barriers, as there often can be in different communities.
"Everyone was so positive, and everything was so participant-centred.
"It just looked very different from the cricket I'd seen before, and I decided it was something I wanted to try. And I loved it."
Sara inspires - and says she is inspired by - the other young people she meets who have overcome a wide range of different physical, emotional and environmental hurdles to take up cricket, whether in its standard form or adapted to meet differing needs.
And she's deeply grateful to Postcode Lottery players whose support for the charity, enabled her to discover her passion in life.
The keen opening batter said: "I loved the cricket, but I loved the atmosphere of it all and the other skills that you learn too.
"Of course, playing cricket helps you physically, but like all sports, it helps you mentally too.
"I quickly found that when I'm playing cricket, it helps you switch off from anything you might have been worrying about - like a college assignment."
Sara found the sport also gave her new confidence.
She said: "I've grown so much as a person through being involved with Wicketz and Lord's Taverners.
"I think it would be impossible to list all the life skills I've gained as a result of Wicketz - there are just too many, from leadership skills to having a strong desire to help my community.
"I find I'm doing a lot of public speaking as I tell people about the work Wicketz do. I've met so many amazing people and learned their powerful stories, including those in Super 1s, which is the national disability programme that Lord's Taverners delivers."
Lord's Taverners was set up in 1950 by a group of cricket enthusiasts who had gathered in the famous Tavern at Lord's Cricket Ground.
They realised how lucky they were to enjoy their sport together and decided they wanted to use cricket to help those less fortunate.
Almost 75 years on, Lord's Taverners is now impacting the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality in every English county, Scotland, and Wales through its inclusive cricket programmes. To date, players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised more than £6.6 million for their work.
Sara now sits on the advisory boards of three organisations that aim to advance equality and inclusion in the sport she loves, while also helping youngsters develop confidence and improve their wellbeing through cricket.
Sara said: "I wouldn't be the person I am today without Lord's Taverners, and I've met so many other people whose lives have changed for the better as a result of this amazing charity.
"I'm so grateful to players of People's Postcode Lottery for the support they have given.
"It really does help transform young people's lives."
Sara sits on youth advisory boards for Hampshire Cricket Board, Take Her Lead and Chance to Shine.
Making A Difference
People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Lord's Taverners make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities our players support.
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Published: 17/02/2025
