Inner City Youngsters Prepare For National City Finals

Young people from eight cities across the country will leave urban life behind them next week as they travel to Arundel, West Sussex, courtesy of The Lord's Taverners to compete in the finals of the Ford Inner Cities Cup cricket competition. The three-day finals conclude at the historic Arundel Castle Cricket Ground on Thursday 11 August.
 
The long-running Ford Inner Cities Cup is now in its 16th year and continues to provide youngsters from urban areas the opportunity to play cricket and enjoy the physical and social benefits the sport uniquely provides. The finals follow a series of rigorous regional heats with 20 inner-city teams having played throughout the UK in the opening stages since May.
 
Youngsters from eight cities (Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester and Swansea) will battle it out for the 2011 Ford Inner Cities Cup title. The finals begin on Tuesday 9 August, with the eagerly-anticipated grand final match taking place on Thursday 11 August to decide finishing positions and individual awards.
 
While its focus is on developing grassroots youth cricket, the Ford Inner Cities Cup has also helped cultivate first-class talent: England and Essex star, Ravi Bopara, credits the competition as providing his first taste of competitive cricket, while Moin Ashraf, who represented Bradford a few years ago, made his senior debut for Yorkshire CCC last season.
 
Matthew Patten, Chief Executive of The Lord's Taverners, commented, “The Lord's Taverners is all about giving disadvantaged young people a sporting chance. The Ford Inner Cities Cup provides the opportunity for young people from urban areas, where access to sport is often restricted, to take part in a national event and enjoy the benefits of competitive sport. We wish this year’s participants the very best of luck at Arundel."