The Royal Parks is offering free cricket training sessions to young people aged 11 and under. The classes, led by fully qualified coaches, will be held indoors at the Little Venice Sports Centre from 10am to 12pm on 27 March and 10 April.

The cricket classes, which will involve a series of indoor drills, have been designed to prepare young people for the cricket season. The aim is to encourage more young people, particularly girls, to take an interest in the sport. The indoor sessions will be followed by outdoor cricket training, which will start on 21 April, 5pm, at the Hub in Regent's Park.

Nick Biddle, Park Manager of Regent's Park and Primrose Hill: "The Royal Parks hopes that these free cricket training sessions will encourage more young people to take an interest in the sport. Cricket is fun and healthy and Regent's Park is an excellent place to enjoy it. This year our aim is to build the first ever Regent's Park Cricket Club girls' team."

To book a place at the free indoor cricket training sessions or arrange membership of The Regent's Park Cricket Club (RPCC) please call 0300 061 2324 or email mrturner@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk.

Media enquiries:

Katy Murray on 0300 061 2128 or email kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

About cricket training in Regent's Park:

• Indoor training sessions will run on 27 March and 10 April for girls and boys aged 11 and under. These sessions will be held at the Little Venice Sports Centre situated on 10 Crompton Street (just off Edgware Road).
• Outdoor cricket training sessions will take place in the Hub, Regent's Park, at the following dates and times:
  • Training for 8 to 17 year old boys: 5pm to 7pm every Wednesday from 21 April.
  • Training for 8 to 17 year old girls: 5pm to 6.30pm every Wednesday from 21 April.
  • Training for 14 to 17 year old boys: 5pm to 7pm every Tuesday from 20 April.

About The Regents Park Cricket Club (RPCC):

• The Regent's Park Cricket Club was founded in 2006 with the support of The Royal Parks staff at the Hub.
• Grant funding was awarded by Sport England and Lord's Taverners, in partnership with the Camden Council Sports Development team, London Tigers and Capital Kids Cricket.
• RPCC is currently organised to provide junior cricket for boys and girls aged 8 to 17. Membership is open to all and costs £25 for the season, but this year it is free for girls. Membership includes all training sessions, matches, and any additional events on the club calendar. Newcomers are welcome to try out the facilities for free before deciding whether or not to join the club.
• The club has been awarded "Clubmark" status by the English Cricket Board and joins a growing number of cricket clubs across England that are prioritising junior development, creating a benchmark for high quality community club cricket.

About The Royal Parks:

• The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.
• For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk