ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024 legacy makes great strides in first 100 days since final

USA's Playground to Podium initiative gets off to a great start
The goal is to have one million American schoolchildren playing cricket by LA 2028.
After the USA successfully hosted the event, the ICC's Playground to Podium project, the event's legacy program, is well underway in the country. Today commemorates 100 days after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Final.

After a thrilling Super Over triumph over Pakistan in the group round, the USA cricket team advanced to the Super 8 stage with their breathtaking performances at home. Involving the next generation off the field was equally significant, and in the months and years to come, further initiatives to carry on the competition's legacy will be launched.

By the time cricket returns to the Olympic programme in LA 2028, the Playground to Podium initiative hopes to have one million schoolchildren playing the sport. As a result of various summer activations, over 4500 children have already signed up, demonstrating the significance of this year's World Cup.

With more than 200 elementary, middle, and high schools as partners, the ICC's entry-level program, Criiio, aims to reach over 4000 kids and teachers in the Men's T20 World Cup host cities of Florida, New York, and Dallas. A new generation of cricket aficionados is being fostered and the sport is being integrated into the youth's sporting experience thanks to the integration of cricket into Physical Education classes in schools. Moreover, Criiio cricket festivals have been offered in summer camps in Florida and Dallas, providing over 500 kids with an enjoyable introduction to the sport while honing their throwing, catching, and ball-striking abilities.

One important area of legacy in the USA has been recognized as upskilling teachers to offer the necessary knowledge and abilities to launch and maintain cricket activities inside their schools. At the ICC Criiio Teacher Training Days, more than 260 educators took part. They were given toolkits and a thorough curriculum to ensure that cricket lessons were taught effectively.

Through various Level 1 and Tutor Level certification programs, more than 100 competent coaches and umpires have been added to the game, demonstrating the importance of coach and umpire development and the implementation of ICC Training and Education programs.

Supporting DP World's equipment push has also been a priority. As a result, hundreds of aspiring cricket players have received cricket kits, removing obstacles to participation and guaranteeing that all kids may play the sport.

Through a series of High-Performance and Development seminars that were attended by representatives from the USA, Bermuda, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, and Belize, the World Cup has also helped to promote the sport throughout the Americas. Ex-cricketers Lisa Sthalekar and Robin Singh led workshops on important subjects like talent identification, team culture, and high-performance ecosystems.

"The success of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup legacy project in the first 100 days has exceeded our expectations, as we continue to use the event as a catalyst to deliver transformative growth in the USA," stated William Glenwright, General Manager of Development at the ICC. "Our eyes now firmly on maintaining this momentum in partnership with USA Cricket as we head towards cricket's Olympic return at LA 2028," Glenwright continued.

With cricket implemented in more than 200 schools, over 260 teachers trained, and over 4,000 pupils taking part in the sport for the first time, the USA's Criiio program has gotten off to a great start. Between now and the end of the year, 1,700 more instructors will receive extra in-person and online training. Our focus on cricket in schools is not only introducing the game to thousands of new students in the USA, but also raising the bar for coaching and umpiring in the USA and the greater Americas Region, which improves the playing experience. We also host a variety of coach and umpire education courses.

"We are eager to watch how this develops in partnership with USA Cricket to increase accessibility to our game and inspire more people to grab a bat and ball and enjoy the game of cricket."