Our clubs diversity and inclusion work continues apace this coming Sunday as we warmly welcome Graces CC to the Calthorpe Ground for a friendly against Mark Sandler’s aces. Formed in 1996, Graces are the world’s first LGBTQ+ cricket club who we reached out as part of our focus on diversity growing out of the racist abuse experienced by their players in a cup match v Surrey side East Molesey CC last June.

We’ve wanted to focus on positive action to highlight further how the grassroots game has many challenges on inclusivity by looking to widen our own welcome to the field of dreams, the Calthorpe Ground.

Crouch End Chairperson, Ritesh Patel highlights “this is a great opportunity for the club and we’re so pleased that Graces could find a spot in their busy fixture list to visit us. We’ve been looking hard as a club about how we can lead the grassroots game towards the changes it needs to make to become the fully inclusive game we know it can, and should be.”

We’ll be firing up the BBQ for the afternoon fixture and encourage as many members to come down and watch the game. For us it’s also about challenging our own membership to recognise the wider strides all need to make to help create a better environment for everyone involved in the game of cricket.

Ritesh Patel stated “I’ll be there with the BBQ and I hope we can see other members pop down to catch some great cricket and a further step forward for the club in cementing our place in Crouch End as a great place for the whole community to come to enjoy a great social cricket experience that all can feel part of”

Leo Skyner, Graces Chairperson said “we are delighted to have been invited to Crouch End for a friendly fixture this weekend. Talking to them about their positive focus and work on inclusion in cricket was so energising – and we look forward to a great game of cricket. It’s so important the cricket is a game for all – and we all have a role in that.”

Let’s see you down the club on Sunday for the match.