Future Leaders Academy Launches 2025/26 Cohorts
The Future Leaders Academy (FLA) officially launched its 2025/26 Year 1 and Year 2 cohorts at a special event held on 27 October at Sixes Social Cricket in Oxford, marking the beginning of another year of leadership and volunteering development for young people across the county.
The event was hosted by Sam Keir and brought together participants, families, clubs, schools, community partners and supporters of the programme. The evening also featured a keynote panel discussion reflecting on the importance of youth leadership in community sport, with:
- Rosie Benson, Head of Clubs, Sport England
- Cllr Mark Lygo, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council
- Imi Watts, Year 2 Future Leaders Academy Participant
- Nick Pinhol, Managing Director, Oxfordshire Cricket
- Chris Mankelow, Partnership and Performance Manager, England and Wales Cricket Board
The Future Leaders Academy, funded by Oxfordshire Cricket with very kind contributions from Sport England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and supporting charities, provides young people aged 13–18 with the chance to develop personal leadership skills, gain practical qualifications and contribute meaningfully to the cricket community. The programme is free to all participants, ensuring it remains accessible across Oxfordshire.
Interest in the programme continues to grow, with over 150 people expressing interest in Year 1, and over 50 in Year 2.
Demonstrated Community Impact
During the 2024/25 programme year, Academy participants collectively recorded 1,999 hours of volunteering across clubs, schools and cricket programmes throughout the county — strengthening participation pathways, supporting junior cricket activity and enhancing the experience of players and families across the grassroots game.
The launch of the Future Leaders Academy in 2024/25 brought together 187 participants from 43 clubs and 58 schools, with a mix of backgrounds and interests. In its first year, the Academy offered a range of eight modules focusing on areas such as coaching, umpiring, scoring, safeguarding and first aid. Participants are required to complete four mandatory modules and can choose from up to four optional ones that include nutrition, psychology, grounds workshops and marketing. These modules are designed to be practical, hands-on, and immediately applicable to the participants’ roles as volunteers.
Initial feedback from participants, parents, and facilitators has been overwhelmingly positive, with 94% of parents noting a positive influence on their child’s leadership and communication skills, while 88% of parents also observed a positive effect on their child’s mental health.
This impact reflects the FLA’s commitment to developing young leaders who support not only their own personal growth, but the sustainability and inclusivity of the wider cricket ecosystem.
A Two-Stage Development Pathway
The launch introduced both new and returning participants to their programme year:
- Year 1 participants begin their journey focused on personal development, confidence, communication and foundational leadership skills, supported through core workshops including Coaching, First Aid, Online Safety, and Psychology & Leadership Traits.
- Year 2 participants move into applied leadership practice, undertaking workshops in areas such as Coaching, Leadership, Neurodiversity, and Business of Cricket & Club Structures, alongside optional specialist modules.
The Academy continues to draw upon its partnership with the University of Oxford, delivering a bespoke leadership component exploring ethical leadership, influence, confidence and resilience.
Looking Ahead
Workshops, volunteering placements and project opportunities will run throughout the 2025/26 academic and cricket seasons, with participants working toward Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition through their training and community contributions.
Speaking at the launch, Nick Pinhol, Managing Director of Oxfordshire Cricket, said:
“The Future Leaders Academy is about far more than cricket. It is about giving young people the support, confidence and platform to lead in their communities. We are incredibly proud of what the programme has already achieved and excited to see the next group of young leaders step forward.”
Leshia Hawkins, Managing Director of the Recreational Game at the ECB said,
“The Future Leaders Academy is a shining example of how cricket can empower young people far beyond the boundary ropes. We have been pleased to see this programme develop and grow; it not only nurtures leadership and volunteering but also strengthens the grassroots game by investing in the next generation of changemakers.”
Head of Clubs at Sport England, Rosie Benson said:
“Volunteering has the power to transform lives – not just for the communities it supports, but for the young people who step forward to lead.
“The Future Leaders Academy is a brilliant example of how sport can be a gateway to confidence, connection and purpose. By giving young people the tools to lead and the space to grow, programmes like this help build a stronger, more inclusive grassroots game and inspire lifelong involvement in sport and volunteering. We’re proud to support this work and excited to see the next generation of leaders shaping the future of cricket and their communities.”