Excitement builds towards 2025 release date
Brighton is famous for the ocean tides that drift over the city at certain times of the year.
But Ed Hopkins, director of sport at Brighton University Preparatory School, said the city's unusual climate often meant the worst weather at a time when other parts of Sussex could be experiencing rain. He said there is.
That's good news for cricket. Brighton's prep team only lost a few blocks of their 2023 match due to the rain during England's fairly wet summer.
Their most memorable moment came in the County Cup. The U13 boys team managed to score 31 in the last two overs to defeat Brighton Aldridge Community Academy in the first round and win the tournament. And the U12 boys' team won a heart-wrenching final against Seaford College with two scrambles off the last ball.
Then, after the fall semester ended, it started again.
“We are very fortunate to have a rustic three-lane indoor center dedicated to cricket in the basement of the Faculty of Science and Sports, below the main sports hall,” says Hopkins.
“Once half-term is over, we will gather six boys and six girls from Years 5 to 8 every Friday night and start before Christmas. We will strengthen the team for next season.
“I used to go to an indoor school in Sussex, but it’s much easier because it saves me travel time and I can take classes locally.”
The University of Brighton's Preparation team hopes to build on memorable moments in 2023
And as the cricket season approaches, participation from lower levels and lower grades begins in earnest. This includes a 'Cricket Carousel' for Reception to Year 3, based on short and engaging drills to get young people started. The first game begins in her third year. .
“During the season, kids will rush out of the cafeteria during their lunch break to set up a net and try to stretch it into the next period,” Hopkins said.
In the summer, juggling all the teams across grades and genders is “like air traffic control,” Hopkins said. Especially since the university's home pitch will be re-laid for the 2025 season.
“It's going to be an incredible facility,” he says.
The school is fortunate to have Jubilee Grounds on the edge of the Sussex Downs, as well as access to excellent public facilities outside the school grounds.
Brighton University is the school that produced Claire Connor, Sarah Taylor and other of England's greatest female players.
“We're always trying to raise the profile of women's cricket and balance the profile of men's and women's cricket, but we don't want to compromise on the men's side of the pitch,” Hopkins says.
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