Cricket club aims to keep kids off the streets
BBC/Jim ScottStreet cricket is being introduced to children living in a less affluent city suburb in an attempt to keep them off the streets and away from "negative distractions".
More than 20 young people aged eight to 24, from Byker in Newcastle, have started playing the informal version of the professional game with the help of coaches.
They meet once a week for free sessions run by African Community Advice North East (ACANE) in partnership with the charities StreetGames and Chance to Shine with some saying they would otherwise be "bored".
ACANE leader Gaby Kitoko said the alternative would be hanging around at home or on the street but here "they've got something which they enjoy and they're happy".
"You can see how vibrant this group are - children enjoy playing," he said.
"Without this, these students would be maybe in their house or on the street just making noise but they've got something which they enjoy and they're happy."
He said the scheme had already proved successful, with some children going on to university despite growing up in an area with social challenges.
BBC/Jim ScottThere is no application process and the scheme is open to young people from all backgrounds,
Vanessa, who is 15, said it was good that "at the end of the week you have somewhere to go", while 10-year-old Joe felt it was inspiring him and his friends and that, without it, "we'd be bored".
Shirel, who is 11 and routinely plays with the club, said it was "a magnificent opportunity for all of us, really".
When he grows up he wants to be a footballer or an electrical engineer but not, so far, a cricketer.
'Off the Xbox'
The idea came about in 2021 when Kitoko ran a series of pilot sessions, wanting to help develop skills outside of school.
He said cricket was a sport sometimes ignored or supplanted by football but the scheme hoped to offer something different.
"They didn't have any experience and I said, 'Can you try?' and they tried and they enjoyed and now it's become their game," he said.
"I think it's particularly the African community, which cricket is not one of the games they play."
StreetGames programme officer Steve Beaty said some of the children were from "tough and challenging backgrounds" and it remained vital to get them "off the Xbox and the streets" where they might cause mischief, and into physical activity instead.
"Distractions can lead to things that aren't positive in people's lives," he said.
"It's just such an important tool we can use to engage young people's minds."
Kitoko added he was extremely proud to have seen the children develop.
In November, the scheme was named Street Club of the Year by Chance to Shine, beating off competition from hundreds of others across the UK.