Derbyshire Cricket Foundation lights up The Central Co-op County Ground with Diwali Celebration

The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation was delighted to host a vibrant Diwali Celebration on Saturday 11th October at The Central Co-op County Ground, bringing together businesses and communities from across Derbyshire to mark the Festival of Lights in true style.

The evening was filled with colour, culture, and connection — a joyful reflection of Diwali’s spirit of togetherness. Guests enjoyed a delicious Indian banquet, dazzling dance performances, were entertained by Sensane DJ throughout the evening, and the warm sense of community that has become the hallmark of the Foundation’s events.

Beyond the festivities, the event also carried an important purpose — to raise funds to support the Foundation’s ongoing community work. Thanks to the generosity of guests, partners, and supporters, the 2025 Diwali Celebration raised just over £30,000. These funds will be ring-fenced for the Game Changer programmes, which will amplify the impact of cricket to inspire, educate, and empower young people across Derbyshire.

Through initiatives such as the Falcons Leadership Academy and Play-On programmes, Game Changer provides young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and foster a lifelong connection to sport. The funds raised will also enable the Foundation to unlock match funding, multiplying the impact of every pound raised and helping to change even more young lives.

The Falcons Sports Leadership Academy is a transformative initiative by the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, designed to improve the life-chances of young people—particularly those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds—by equipping them with transferable skills, accredited qualifications, and volunteering opportunities through cricket and will include:

• Level 1 Sports Leadership Qualification (ages 13–16), expanding to Level 2 in Year 2.
• Supplementary modules: ECB Cricket Activator, Young Officials Training, Employability Workshops, Anti-Discrimination, Bystander Intervention, Social Media Training.
• Delivered across four Derbyshire locations, starting Autumn 2026.
• Future plans include tailored programmes for SEND, girls, and digital/literacy skills.

The Play-On Programme is a strategic initiative by the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation aimed at sustaining cricket participation among 600–700 young people annually from Lower Socio-Economic Groups (LSEG) and ethnically diverse communities across Derbyshire and will include:

• Transition to Hardball – Autumn programmes guiding bursary-assisted players into club or alternative formats.
• School to Club Pathways – After-school Dynamos programmes linking underserved schools to local clubs.
• Holiday Camp Bursaries – Free places on DCF camps for LSEG children.
• Start-Up Equipment – Hardball kits for those continuing into club cricket.
• Access to Cricket Grants – Financial support for families on FSM, benefits, or with SEND needs.

Speaking after the event, Mark Barber, Community Development Manager at the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, said:

“Our Diwali Celebration is about much more than one evening of entertainment — it’s about celebrating community, diversity, and the power of cricket to bring people together. Raising over £30,000 is a record and a fantastic achievement. It will make a real difference to the work we do with young people across Derbyshire. We’re so grateful to everyone who supported the event. This annual event would not be possible without the fantastic support of our Cricket Derbyshire India Club members, and we are very grateful for everything they have done not only this year but since the inaugural event in 2014.”

Cricket Derbyshire India Club member & MP for Derby South, Baggy Shanker added:

“Diwali is the festival of lights and with the £30,000 raised, this ignites a opportunity for meaningful impact among the young people engaged by Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, we can certainly look towards a brighter future for young people in cricket. Every child deserves to have a go at a new sport, make friends and grow their confidence, whilst learning about the benefits of physical activity. By getting involved in sport at an early age, we know children are more likely to go on to develop positive lifelong habits of exercise, as well as benefit from the health and social benefits that brings. “It’s an honour to organise this important event for our community each year. I am absolutely delighted with the support and generosity helping us to break our fundraising record year on year. The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities and enriching lives is extraordinary, and tonight’s contributions will ensure they strengthen their invaluable work.”

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, added:

“As a Club, we are always striving to celebrate the diversity within our community, and it’s been great to once again welcome people from Derby City and across Derbyshire to our eleventh annual Diwali event. The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, alongside the India Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club, have delivered another brilliant evening at The Central Co-op County Ground. The event has got bigger and bigger each year since its inception in 2014, with record funds raised for the Foundation to grow their work within the city and across the county and I would like to thank all the individuals and local business who have supported this event once again.”

The Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, or donated prizes to the charity raffle. Your generosity and enthusiasm made the evening a true celebration of community spirit.

With the success of this year’s event, the Foundation is already looking ahead to the 2026 Diwali Celebration — and to continuing to use the power of cricket to make a lasting, positive difference across Derbyshire.

Get Involved

Organisations can be involved in the Game Changer initiatives either by offering financial support or in kind involvement. If you’d like to support the Game Changer programmes or learn more about how you can get involved in helping young people across Derbyshire thrive through cricket, please get in touch with Mark Barber at the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation [email protected] or visit www.dcfcricket.com.

Together, we can continue to make cricket a game for everyone — and a force for good in our communities.