History has been made today, with thousands of children in schools across the North West taking part in a record-breaking Schools Cricket Day.
The event has coincided with the 50-day countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take over the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground this summer.
In Lancashire and Greater Manchester, around 14,500 children from 83 schools picked up a bat and ball as part of the event, the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history.
It marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s tournament, which will kick off at Edgbaston on 12 June before heading to Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground for four fixtures from 13 June.
There’s been everything from first-time batting and bowling in playgrounds to competitive matches on sports fields, as schools across the country catch the spirit of the game.
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And that’s included 130 children from Kings Road Primary School enjoying a dedicated session at Old Trafford’s Indoor Cricket Centre alongside World Cup Winner and former England star, Alex Hartley.
Alongside lessons and activities, all Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF) staff supported additional events, from games and activities to assemblies, taking place across the region.
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School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
Big names from the world of cricket, including Heather Knight OBE, Lydia Greenway OBE and Hampshire captain Georgia Adams also joined school events in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities.
Australian international and current player for Yorkshire women’s, Jess Jonassen, supporting a cricket session at Morley Cricket Club over in Leeds.
Schools Cricket Day is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s ambitions to use the tournament to inspire the next generation of girls to play cricket.
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This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs.
The day also featured bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF, through its “Rights in Play” programme.
2017 World Cup winner and Lancashire Women’s star Alex Hartley said: “It feels like I’ve been waiting all year for the World Cup to arrive, and now we’ve only got 50 days to go!
“I’m really pleased to support initiatives like Schools Cricket Day today as they’re so important to inspire the next generation of potential cricket players. As an international cricketer I always looked forward to major tournaments, there’s nothing quite like playing on the global stage.
“There was a huge shift after the 2017 World Cup, we all felt it. Having the T20 tournament in England and Wales this summer presents another huge opportunity to continue building a legacy that can be felt by all future generations of cricketers from Lancashire and all across the nation.”
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Managing Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Jen Barden said: “National Schools Cricket Day is a fantastic opportunity for young people in their education settings to get involved in so many aspects of the game!
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, joined by former England star Alex Hartley, to mark 50 days until the star of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Credit: Photo by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
“We have members of the LCF delivering cricket across the County but also linking in lessons including the history of the game, using maths and science too!
“We have an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation of cricketers, volunteers, coaches and officials in all aspects of cricket this summer with the games at Old Trafford, I can’t wait to see lots of young boys and girls giving cricket a go for the first time!”
Gemma Barton, ECB Head of Strategic Growth, said “Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is.
“It’s not just about the summer ahead, it’s about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game.”
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Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 are selling fast – you can get yours HERE.
Featured image: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography | 07711459404 www.routeonephotography.co.uk
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JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend
Lydia Mastrolonardo
JD has just launched a brand-new in-store cafe at the Trafford Centre, with a huge iced drink giveaway planned for its opening weekend.
iced. opened earlier this week and we couldn’t be more chuffed they’ve chosen Manchester as their third UK location.
The cafe is set to supply a range of matchas, coffees, teas, shakes and some delicious sweet treats to choose from while you shop – as if we needed any further encouragement to do some retail therapy.
iced.’s menu contains some of our favourites, including banana bread matchas, white mocha clouds, and strawberry cream shakes.
JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to browse the latest fashion, sports, and lifestyle brands than with an iced matcha in hand?
To celebrate, iced. are offering a free drink to each of the first 200 customers each day this weekend.
Simply head on inside JD Sport in Trafford Centre, to claim a free drink of your choice this Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, while stocks last.
iced. will be open on Mondays to Fridays from 9am-10pm, Saturdays from 9am-9pm, and Sundays from 11:30am-6pm.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Manchester City’s Stadium Tours are back for the summer and bigger than ever
Danny Jones
Manchester City stadium tours are back for summer 2026, with more to see from the home of the Blues than ever, and with 15% off all tickets until the end of August, too.
It’s safe to say that Man City are going through a HUGE period of change right now: embarking on a new era under Enzo Maresca following the dynasty of Pep Guardiola, vast redevelopments of the wider Etihad Campus, a new club hotel, and the expansion of the North Stand – now named after said Catalan coach.
With that in mind, there’s so much new stuff going on over in East Manchester and arguably more of it all happening in one place than we can recall in recent memory, making it the perfect time for Cityzens to return to the famous home ground – indeed, your Etihad debut if you haven’t made one already.
Giving you greater access to areas usually reserved for players and staff only than ever, this exclusive, interactive and virtual tour will take you through the very bones of the storied sporting arena, all the way through to pitchside.
Fans can explore the dressing room and follow in the footsteps of their favourite City players as they walk through the iconic glass players’ tunnel, before walking out into the open air and sitting in the dugout to take in that incredible view.
You can also try out the latest ‘Beyond the Blue Moon’ experience – an immersive VR adventure that sees supporters journey through Manchester City’s past, present, and future.
Following on from Pep lending his likeness, using innovative technology, you can now even have the chance to put your questions to Erling Haaland in the Press Conference Room.
There aren’t many teams on the planet that offer this level of stadium tour, let alone just here in the UK, so it’s no wonder they remain award-winning almost every single year.
Whether you’re a lifelong City fan, a football lover or visiting this wonderful place we call Manchester for the very first time, there’s something for everyone.
For instance, with The Medlock Hotel and accompanying Medlock Square already lining up its maiden events, the City Football Group (CFG) are once again committing to make the wider Etihad Campus an all-year-round entertainment destination.
That being said, plenty of people online have been generating a lot of buzz about the aforementioned Medlock’s new stadium-view rooms since clips appeared on social media.
Pitch view rooms coming to the Radisson Blu Medlock Hotel at #ManCity’s Etihad Stadium. 🤯
As for the tickets themselves, the club have also taken steps to keep the cost affordable.
Standard prices start from just £32 for adults and only £20 for under-16s, with larger family packages available from £60.
BUT, with the 15% discount mentioned earlier, adults currently cost just £27; kids go for just £17, and those family passes start from just £51.
You can find all the options when it comes to stadium tour passes and grab the type of admission that suits you right HERE.
Speaking of tickets, City have also been met with praise for the introduction of new discounted seats for local residents; find out all the details below.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd April 2026 
