I don't believe there is a problem with participation levels. I seem to remember reading somewhere that British Asians are six ties more likely to play recreational cricket than British whites.
I don't think participation at grass roots is the issue.
Its the step up in the professional game. Requires a lot of practice, input from coaches which most working class state kids cant afford. The kit is expensive and also requires good family structure to ensure kids are travelling to sessions and games all over the place. I'ts a huge effort.
It's probably why so many public school kids succeed whereas state schools don't in the same ratios. I don't for a second blame the richer kids, it's not their fault and as any parent would do if they could afford it they would spend on their kids.
I know one young lad who has had serious amounts of cash spent on him by his father. Hours and hours of coaching and attends a well o do school where they have more than 1 cricket ground that's probably better than most local league grounds. The kid and his dad are lovely people and I wish them well.
The kid has come on leaps and bounds and was told by a coach he needed to move to a bigger club that played a higher stanadrd.
However I've seen kids probably with better natural ability (both Asian and white) but will never progress as the kid I mentioned has done. Going to a public school with all the structure and support makes a difference. The way of the world.
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Topic: Azeem Rafiq and Yorkshire CCC (Read 33848 times)