Children training across the outfield at Serenity Oval

Our work

Sport that keeps children, and especially girls, in school

Every programme runs from Serenity Oval, and each can be funded on its own.

Girls firstPlayIT and EnglishLife skillsCommunityGrow a FutureFuture plans

Girls first

Girl child development

Girls and boys from CFD with Ugandan flags on the steps at Serenity Oval

We specialise in girl child development. Cricket can open many doors for a girl: a team, a place in school, a scholarship, a career in sport.

Why it matters

When money is short at home, girls are often the first to leave school, and too many marry or become pregnant early. Regular sport keeps girls in education, with friends, coaches and goals of their own.

What we do

  • Girls' squads and training sessions
  • Awareness sessions for girls and their parents
  • Inspiration from women who play and work in sport
  • Showing girls the opportunities that sport and school open up

What we measure

  • Girls registered
  • Girls still in school each year
  • Share of girls in the programme

What we need

  • Kit and shoes for girls
  • School support for girls at risk of dropping out

Play

Cricket coaching

Children in CFD shirts playing a game in front of the stands at Serenity Oval

Free, structured coaching for girls and boys aged 8–15 at Serenity Oval and in local schools. Kit is provided; no child is turned away.

A meal at every session

Many children come to training hungry. A simple meal keeps them coming, and helps them play and learn.

Supporting talent

Our most promising players get extra support to take the next step. Our sister club, Ceylon Lions CC, has developed a number of players for Uganda's national team, two of whom played at the T20 World Cup.

What we measure

  • Players registered
  • Attendance rate
  • Share of girls
  • Players moving into league cricket

What we need

  • Meals at training
  • Used cricket kit: bats, pads, gloves, balls
  • Cricket shoes
  • Coaching staff salaries

Learn

IT and English

A class in the Serenity Oval classroom, with computers along the side

Computer skills and English in our classroom at Serenity Oval, linked to training: players who train, learn. IT skills open doors that cricket alone cannot.

What we measure

  • Learners enrolled
  • Attendance
  • IT skills certificates
  • English level progress
  • School attendance

What we need

  • Used laptops and desktop computers
  • Books and learning materials
  • Teacher salaries

Life skills

More than the game

A coach with young players

Short life-skills and health messages are built into every session: teamwork, respect, health and staying in school.

What we measure

  • Sessions with life-skills content
  • Players and parents reached by awareness sessions

Why coaches matter

Coaches and mentors give children consistency, discipline and role models.

Community

Kammengo village support

Support for families facing sickness, coordinated with local leaders, alongside our Grow a Future crop programme.

What we measure

Families supported, and the school attendance of their children.

Keeping children in school

When money is short at home, children leave school and sport. Support for the family keeps them on both paths.

Future plans

More children playing, more children in school

We want more children, and above all more girls, playing sport and staying in school, with a stronger IT classroom to go with it.

Talk to us about a major gift

Different children, different talents

Cricket is where we started. In future we plan to add more sports, so every child can find the one they are good at:

  • Rugby
  • Netball
  • Tennis
  • Athletics