Girls Early Engagement Phase Strengthens Pathway into MCCF Hub Programme
More than 300 girls from across Lancashire have taken part in a series of joint cricket sessions designed to strengthen the pathway into the MCC Foundation Hub Programme.
The initiative brings together the Lancashire Cricket Girls Early Engagement Phase (Under 10s and Under 12s) with the Hub structure, which is delivered locally by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation. The programme runs across seven venues in the county and provides young players with a clear, structured route to develop their skills.
The Early Engagement Phase has been created to prepare girls for the step up into the Hub programme, while also enhancing the experience for those already involved. During one dedicated session in each region, Hub players trained in an enriched environment alongside younger participants and a wider team of coaches.
Among them was former professional cricketer Phoebe Graham, now the Girls Early Engagement Phase Lead. She delivered specialist coaching sessions, working closely with players both as a group and individually. Her involvement provided inspiration for the young cricketers and added further quality to the training programme.
The impact has already been clear. Several girls who attended Early Engagement assessments have since been recommended for places within the MCCF Hub Programme, supporting the continued growth of the county’s Under 13 girls’ squads.
The collaborative approach has also provided valuable professional development opportunities for coaches, high-quality player assessments and consistent coaching standards across all venues. Organisers say this joined-up structure ensures clear progression routes for young cricketers.
Now halfway through its delivery, the programme is set to continue with further sessions and a busy summer of fixtures ahead. With the boys’ programme already fully subscribed following a competitive trial process, attention has turned to encouraging more girls to secure their places before the registration deadline on 20 February.
Greg Pennington, Cricket Development Manager, said the combined sessions had created “fantastic energy” across all seven venues.
“Bringing the two programmes together has raised the profile of the MCCF Girls Hubs, increased sign-ups and added a unique experience to the ten-week training programme,” he said. “For our existing Hub players, the opportunity to work with Phoebe was a real bonus, while it was equally rewarding to introduce new players to the opportunities within the girls’ game and support them towards their next steps in cricket.”
Parents have also praised the initiative. Kirsty, whose daughter attended the Liverpool session, said the experience had left a lasting impression.
“She loved the experience, from taking part in the skills stations to playing in the games,” she said. “It was great to see the older girls from the weekly Hub, giving the younger players something to aspire to. It’s fantastic to see so many girls playing cricket, and the coaches were incredibly supportive. There was a real buzz afterwards, with lots of excitement about what comes next.”
Bella, a current Hub participant, said working with Phoebe Graham had been particularly inspiring.
“I’ve really enjoyed the sessions and it was inspiring to have Phoebe join us and spend time with us as a group and individually on bowling,” she said. “There were two things that I’ve taken away to work on my action and a focus for the season.”
With strong momentum building, organisers believe the Early Engagement Phase has further strengthened the MCC Foundation Hub Programme’s role in developing the next generation of girls’ cricket across Lancashire.