Cricket, Creativity, and Community: A Fantastic Start to the New Year at Cricketqube’s Winter Camp

As the holiday season wrapped up, Cricketqube hosted another successful HAF Winter Camp at DiverCity Hub, Newcastle. Over four exciting days—27 December, 30 December, 31 December, and 2 January—we welcomed 15 enthusiastic children, many of whom had attended our previous camps. Seeing so many returnees reinforced the idea that our camp is a place for children to learn, play, and connect.
Cricket and Multi-Sports Fun
Cricket remained central to the camp, with sessions designed to improve skills, build confidence, and encourage teamwork. Whether it was batting, bowling, or fielding, every child had the chance to develop their abilities in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Beyond cricket, the children enjoyed various other sports, including dodgeball and football, ensuring they stayed active throughout the day. These activities helped improve fitness and allowed them to develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
Creativity Through Art
This winter, we introduced art lessons, where an experienced art teacher guided the children through painting sessions. This provided a new creative outlet, allowing them to express themselves, experiment with different techniques, and take pride in their work. The enthusiasm and focus in the sessions were incredible, and it was wonderful to see each child create something unique.
Food Education and Cooking with Nourish Food School
A major highlight of the camp was the food education and cooking session led by Joanna Lacey from Nourish Food School. Teaching children about healthy eating in an engaging way is something we are passionate about, and this session delivered exactly that.
The children worked together to prepare their own meals, including pizza pockets and a delicious dessert. This hands-on experience gave them confidence in the kitchen, encouraged teamwork, and reinforced the importance of making healthy food choices. It was fantastic to see their sense of accomplishment when they tasted their creations.
Nutritious, Home-Cooked Meals
Good food has always been an important part of our camps, and this time was no different. Nassima from Chroma Grills provided homemade Zanzibarian food and fresh fruit platters arranged by our regular collaborator. Hey! Food is Ready. The children enjoyed nutritious, flavourful meals while learning about different cuisines and the importance of balanced eating.
Building a Stronger Community
The Winter Camp was not just about sports and activities but about bringing people together. With 12 out of 15 children from ethnic minority backgrounds, we are incredibly proud to have created an inclusive space where children from diverse cultures and communities can come together, learn, and grow.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the camp was seeing so many children return from previous sessions. This continuity reinforces the impact of our camps, providing a familiar and supportive environment where children feel comfortable, engaged, and excited to participate.
Looking Ahead
This camp was the perfect way to end 2024 and start 2025 on a high. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible—our coaches, volunteers, food partners, parents, and, most importantly, the children who make these camps a joy to run.
With each camp, we are building a stronger community, and we can't wait to develop more young cricketers and creatives to our future sessions. Stay tuned for upcoming camps and opportunities to get involved!