Over the course of the past twelve months, Glamorgan Cricket has been working with the Jo Cox Foundation as well as the Cardiff Council`s Community Cohesion team, South Wales Police and the More in Common Partnership on a collaborative scheme involving a group of Primary Schools in Cardiff and Llantwit Major.
“The scheme has focussed on the values which were so dear to the late Jo Cox MP,” said Andrew Hignell, the Heritage and Education Co-ordinator at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, “namely people coming together from so many diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, under the all-embracing umbrella of cricket.
“Over the winter months, pupils at Gabalfa PS, Greenway PS, Hywel Dda PS and Trowbridge PS in Cardiff, plus St. Illtyd’s PS and Ysgol Dewi Sant in Llantwit Major have been creating display material and other content around the concept of Global Family of Cricket. The children have also been honing their cricket skills in readiness for an inter-school softball tournament which is taking place today (16 April) in the Indoor School at the Sophia Gardens cricket stadium.
“We are thrilled that Jo’s family, including her sister Kim Leadbeater MP, have kindly agreed for the competition to be known as the Jo Cox Trophy., and we already have plans to continue the competition with other schools over the course of the coming years.”
Meena Jeewa from the Jo Cox Foundation added “We are delighted that children and young people in the South Wales area are learning more about Jo Cox's 'More in Common' message by participating in this inaugural tournament for the Jo Cox Trophy. At The Jo Cox Foundation, we make meaningful change on issues that the late Jo Cox MP was passionate about, such as building stronger communities across the UK. As part of this work, we run the More in Common Network, which is a collection of groups and partnerships across the UK who bridge divides in their communities.
“The More in Common Cardiff Partnership, who have worked with Glamorgan Cricket on creating this tournament, are a brilliant example of how being part of the More in Common Network can support local organisations to collaborate and take a coordinated approach to local social issues. Underpinning this work is the understanding that we have more in common than that which divides us.”
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Sport has the remarkable ability to bring people together and this cricket initiative has given the schools taking part the opportunity to foster friendships, learn about the importance of diversity and celebrate the things we have in common – in this case, the love of the game that goes beyond the boundaries of individual’s backgrounds.
“The Council has been delighted to support the scheme and we wish the teams taking part all the best for the tournament.”
Laura Henderson, Chair of the first More in Common group in Wales, said: “Over the past year, it has been wonderful to see pupils from our local primary schools enjoying playing sport, learning about the great team game of cricket and recognising how much more in common we have, whatever our backgrounds. The time and expertise of Glamorgan Cricket visiting our schools and at the Sophia Gardens stadium has been a highlight of the year for all pupils involved and we’re delighted that children from the Vale of Glamorgan have been a part of the start of this wonderful collaboration through the Cardiff More in Common Community Cohesion Partnership.”
Superintendent Marc Attwell, from South Wales Police, said: “Congratulations to all the schools and young people who have taken part in the inaugural Jo Cox Trophy. Cardiff has a long, proud tradition of diversity and partnership working, and this scheme has once again shown how effective sport can be in helping to break down barriers, strengthen relationships and unite communities.”