Brit Insurance, a member of the Lloyd’s Community Programme and sponsor of the Oval cricket ground, donated the famous ground for a day of cricket. This enabled the school children aged from 10 to 11 years of age to receive coaching from members of the Surrey County Cricket Club and become involved in the Lloyd’s Cup cricket tournament.
Carne Curgenven, Communications Director at Brit Insurance commented, “This is the second year it has been hosted at the Brit Insurance Oval. It is an exceptional venue and we were really pleased that the Lloyd's Community Programme used it for this event. Our thanks go to Surrey County Cricket Club who make this possible with their support and participation. It was a special treat for the children to have their photos taken with Surrey's Richard Clinton and a few even managed to get his autograph."
The day was organised by the Lloyd’s Community Programme and enthusiastic volunteers from the Lloyd’s market helped out with the coaching for the keen young cricketers and acted as umpires for the cricket tournament.
Nick Furlonge, Chairman of Lloyd’s Community Programme and Director of Risk Management, Beazley said, "This cricket event has been a wonderful opportunity for the school children to play at this special cricket ground, especially as many of the children rarely have a chance to take part in sporting events. We thank Brit Insurance for donating the Oval for the day and also for the volunteers who have taken a day out to help this successful tournament and coaching day."
This was the first time, David James, Senior Underwriter at Ascot had volunteered for a Lloyd’s Community Programme sporting event. “I was really impressed with the enthusiasm from all the children involved. Many of the children had never played cricket before and they have been fantastic and they all seemed to enjoy the day,” said David.
This was also the first time that Christ Church Primary School in Tower Hamlets had taken part in such a tournament and teacher Carol Rider said, “As a small primary school on Brick Lane this opportunity is really special. Most of our children do not have gardens so this is a great chance to experience a sporting occasion outside. It also gives them hope and dreams.”
The three Tower Hamlets schools and three Hackney schools battled it out on the oldest test match venue in the world with victory going to Millfields Community School for the morning tournament and Christ Church Primary School for the afternoon. Richard Clinton, Surrey County cricketer presented the awards to the two winning schools and the Fair Play award to the primary schools - Bigland Green Primary and St Lukes.
Eleven year old Jahenoor from Bigland Primary School said, “It has been a lovely day and I have really enjoyed it. I have also learnt something that it is not always about winning the game but it is also about having fun.”
