OUR GOVERNANCE

Cricket team I support: 

Essex and England

Involvement with young people and cricket:

Having been born and raised in East London, I have fond memories of watching Essex cricket matches as a child together with my father and grandfather which sparked a passion for the game. 

I currently enjoy spending weekends watching my children participate in cricket, football, tennis and swimming. 

For the past 25 years, I have actively mentored diverse and underrepresented young people interested in careers in finance working with partners such as SEO London, Rare Recruitment and Generating Genius. 

Why I  joined PC as a trustee:

My passion is helping to develop a society that is fair to all people regardless of their backgrounds and I truly believe that charities such as Platform Cricket play a vital role in this respect. Our mission is to inspire children to be active through cricket which we believe can be an agent for social change in some of London’s most disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Sport has always been an important part of my life and Platform Cricket allows me to blend two of my passions together.  

linkedin.com/in/lee-phillips-585555a

Cricket team I support: 

Durham was my nearest senior county team growing up as Northumberland play minor counties. I get to an England test match every year, generally with my family who all enjoy cricket. As I live in Surrey, I’ve ended up following Oval Invincibles during the Hundred. 

Involvement with young people and cricket:

I work for a children’s charity, have been a youth worker in my distant past, and coach Rugby at Dorking RFC. Sport is a huge part of my life and I see what a positive impact sport can have on children and young adults. While I haven’t coached cricket formally, my three children all still play and when they were younger, I would help out with warm up, bits of organisation and umpiring. 

My eldest son captains his school second team and he makes it very social and inclusive. I love that he’s brought players back to the game who dropped out in previous years because they have fun and don’t take it seriously. My daughter plays for her school team and its been so good to see the massive expansion of women’s cricket in recent years. 

Why I joined PC as a trustee:

Having loved and played sport all my life, I recognise what it has done for me and my children in terms of confidence, fitness, social skills and mental health. Not all children have had the access to sport and the support I have had through my life, so I am passionate about creating the best possible access for others, regardless of background and location. 

Platform Cricket is remarkable in making cricket accessible to a hugely varied group of children in inner city London, who are not well provided for. In terms of measurable impacts, it provides access to cricket as an activity, for thousands of children of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds. It actively encourages the entry of girls and boys into the game and a development pathway for those with talent to stay in the game long term. 

Sport can be a very positive and powerful influence on lives, and Platform Cricket delivers that to a cohort of children who would otherwise be excluded. That’s why I got and stay involved. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-maddick-6478a12a/

Cricket team I support: 

England

Involvement with young people and cricket:

I was a teacher in Inner London for the whole of my working life, and for the last 21 years I was the Principal of a neighbourhood secondary school in Tower Hamlets, serving the poorest electoral wards in England. 

Experience and expertise/ specialisms that you bring to Platform Cricket

In 2004 my school applied to become a Sports College and was then selected by the government to host one of 500 national School Sports Partnerships, providing a base for a team of specialist coaches promoting quality sport to all the children in Tower Hamlets primary and secondary schools. Managed by Chris Willetts, who is now the CEO of Platform Cricket, it rapidly became an award-winning and internationally renowned multi-sports foundation, with academies established in a range of sports, including cricket.

Why I joined PC as a trustee:

I am a passionate believer in the power of sport to influence and change young people’s lives for the better, having repeatedly seen at first hand what high quality teachers and coaches can give to children in the inner city, many of whom have had very few advantages in their lives.

Cricket team I support: 

TBC

Involvement with young people and cricket:

TBC

Why I joined PC as a trustee:

TBC

Cricket team I support: 

England

Involvement with young people and cricket: 

Cricket and sport more generally has been a significant part of my family and community life for many years. As a parent of two children who are actively involved in grassroots cricket, I have seen first-hand the positive impact the game can have on young people, helping to build confidence, teamwork, resilience and a sense of belonging.
Beyond cricket, I am an active volunteer within my local community, supporting young people through our local youth club and school. These roles have given me valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing young people today and reinforced my belief in the importance of accessible, inclusive environments where they can develop and thrive.

Why I joined PC as a trustee:

I joined Platform Cricket as a trustee because I strongly believe in the power of cricket to transform lives and create opportunities for young people from all backgrounds. Having witnessed the benefits of the game through my own children's participation in grassroots cricket, I am passionate about helping more young people access those same opportunities. Platform Cricket's commitment to inclusion, development and community impact aligns closely with my own values. I enjoy working alongside fellow trustees, staff and volunteers to help Platform Cricket continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.