Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) is proud to announce the launch of the Falcons Leadership Academy, a transformative new programme designed to develop the next generation of young leaders through cricket.
The Academy has been made possible through significant investment from the England and Wales Cricket Board's Game Changer Fund, a multi-million pound initiative aimed at driving innovation, unlocking growth, and creating lasting impact across recreational cricket.
With modules set to launch in August 2026, the Falcons Leadership Academy will provide 120 young people aged 13-16 years old with access to accredited qualifications, leadership development, and real world experience using cricket as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and opportunity.
Creating opportunities through cricket
The Falcons Leadership Academy has been developed to address a clear and growing need across Derbyshire: supporting young people to build the skills, confidence, and qualifications required to succeed in education, employment and life.
The programme will focus particularly on engaging under-represented communities, helping to break down barriers to opportunity while strengthening connections with cricket.
Through the Academy, participants will gain:
- A Level 1 Sport Leadership qualification
- Practical training including ECB Activator and Young Officials courses
- Workshops in employability, communication and personal development
- Volunteering and work experience opportunities within cricket and partner organisations
This holistic approach is designed to equip young people with the transferable skills employers are seeking, including communication, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making.
A Game-Changing Investment
The Game Changer Fund has been established to support bold, high-impact programmes that can deliver sustainable growth and long-term benefits for communities.
DCF's successful application reflects the Academy's strong alignment with these ambitions - combining innovation, partnership working, and a clear plan to deliver measurable social impact.
Importantly, the investment will also act as a catalyst to unlock additional funding and partnerships, with a long-term ambition to create a self-sustaining programme that brings new investment into cricket and the wider community.
Driving impact across Derbyshire
The impact of the Falcons Leadership Academy will be felt far beyond the participants themselves.
In its first year, the programme aims to:
- Support 120 young people to achieve recognised qualifications
- Create a pipeline of young volunteers and future workforce within cricket
- Generate over 2,000 hours of volunteer activity
- Support delivery of cricket opportunities to 5,000+ young people annually
- Enable more than 50% of participants to continue volunteering beyond the programme
Over time, the Academy will expand to include higher-level qualifications and targeted programmes for specific groups, including girls and young people with additional needs.
A strategic step forward
The launch of the Falcons Leadership Academy represents a major milestone in the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation's mission to empower communities and improve lives through cricket.
By combining sport, education and community engagement, the Academy will:
- Improve life chances and employability
- Strengthen a diverse and sustainable volunteer workforce
- Inspire a new generation to see that "cricket is a game for me"
Richard Wood, Managing Director of Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, said:
"We are incredibly proud to launch the Falcons Leadership Academy and to have secured investment through the ECB's Game Changer Fund.
This programme is about much more than cricket; it's about giving young people the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in life.
By investing in young people today, we are not only strengthening communities but also building the future of cricket across Derbyshire."
Looking ahead
With the support of the ECB and future partners, the Falcons Leadership Academy is set to become a flagship programme - developing leaders, creating opportunities and delivering lasting impact across the county for years to come.
Partner with Us
Derbyshire Cricket Foundation is now inviting businesses, organisations and community partners to play a vital role in the success of the Falcons Leadership Academy. By supporting the programme through financial investment or in-kind contributions - such as staff time, mentoring, workshop delivery, or work experience opportunities - partners can make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people across Derbyshire. The Academy offers a unique opportunity to align with a high-impact initiative that delivers against CSR and ESG priorities, while helping to develop future talent and strengthen local communities. Organisations interested in becoming a partner are encouraged to get in touch to explore how they can be part of this game-changing programme.