ACE Programme launches in Manchester

The ACE (African Caribbean Engagement) programme was recently launched in Greater Manchester – in partnership with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation - to bring the game of cricket to members of the African Caribbean community living in the region.

Chair Ebony Rainford Brent initially launched the ACE programme with Surrey Cricket in 2020 in response to the decline of black professional players in Britain by 75%. The ACE programme has since launched as an independent charity and is now making strides to have a wider national impact.

ACE provides an opportunity for people to learn about the game of cricket and learn to play in a friendly and welcoming environment whilst giving the young participants a sense of belonging and pride.

Jameel Stewart – who started earlier this year - is the ACE programme’s Cricket Development Officer for Manchester, working out of Emirates Old Trafford tasked with increasing participation in the African and Caribbean communities in the local area.

Watch below to find out more about the work of ACE and how the programme has launched in Greater Manchester.

Throughout October, Lancashire Cricket will be celebrating Black History Month in the UK and as part of that, we will be profiling some of the most famous players to have pulled on the Red Rose throughout the years. Click here to read our first profile which is Thunder all-rounder and global star, Deandra Dottin.