As we continue to support the development of cricket in state schools, our current focus stands in our secondary schools where we believe that hardball cricket still has a vital part to play. The R66T Academy State School Cricket Leagues running in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Middlesex are all growing. Leagues for U15, U13 boys and girls teams are all in place, and we remain thankful to The Cricket Society Trust and the County Cricket Boards in these counties for the hard work they have put in. Excitingly, the winners of our annual four-counties U15 finals day at Kimbolton School will now qualify for the next round of the newly created Knight Stokes Cup, with a chance of reaching a Lord's final day in September.
Our partners at the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation have worked with us to develop a Year 7 (U12) hardball state school competition, which is known as R66T 2 Hardball. The R66T 2 Hardball tournament is the perfect event for schools looking to establish a cricket programme. Experienced club cricketers are paired up with newcomers in a 10-aside pairs game. Four regional winners get the chance to attend the Yorkshire Finals Day. Its inclusive nature and the fast-paced nature mean that staff commitment is minimised and that it is a fantastic opportunity to involve new participants.
The R66T 2 Hardball word is spreading as schools are recognising its value for introducing new players to hardball cricket and the strong leadership opportunities it gives to existing hardball players. Games for the tournament are due to take place in May and June of 2026, and registrations are open now.