Kevin Pietersen offers to coach in bid to increase school cricket participation
Thursday 20 November 2014 11:30, UK
Kevin Pietersen has offered his services as a coach for schools in the UK after a significant drop in cricket participation was revealed.
A National Playing Survey conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board showed that total playing numbers for over-14s had decreased by seven per cent in 2014, falling from 908,000 the previous year to 844,000.
Pietersen took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the findings, and declared himself willing to help out with winter training for selected schools in the country.
He wrote: "Been off Twitter for a while, but couldn't stay off when I heard about today's announcement re drop off in cricket participation over here.
"We've got a fantastic pool of talent here in UK & thought of kids dropping out and not fulfilling potential is frightening and needs changing.
"Any school cricket coaches or after school clubs doing winter training, tweet me and I'll pick a couple next week to join you...?
"We need to encourage people of all ages to take part. #ILoveCricket."
Pietersen's offer is expected to receive a huge response despite his removal from the England set-up at the start of the year and the subsequent controversies detailed in his autobiography.
Announcing the survey results, ECB chief operating officer Gordon Hollins said: "ECB recognised the participation challenges that have been facing all team sports and we were determined to gain a greater insight into those issues and find long-term solutions.
"To do that ECB changed the way in which it measured participation last year and introduced the new National Cricket Playing Survey as part of our wider efforts to gain a greater understanding of what drives grassroots cricket participation.
"Thanks to an excellent response ECB now has a much clearer picture than ever before of who plays recreational cricket, what type of cricket they prefer to play, when they want to play it, and we are now setting about finding ways in which we can best address their needs going forward.
"We are already working in partnership with our 39 County Cricket Boards as part of a detailed participation review."
