Working in partnership with Drum Property Group Aberdeenshire Cricket Club developed and deliver Redball Taking Cricket into the Community an in-school cricket coaching programme to local schools in the area.

The Redball programme, based on Cricket Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence strategy is designed to allow maximum participation, assist teachers and pupils to achieve curriculum outcomes, and ensure cricket is delivered in a fun and engaging way.

The programme encourages children aged nine to eleven years to learn about and enjoy playing cricket, the 6 weeks of 1-hour sessions are designed to introduce cricket skills in a non-technical way where the emphasis is on pupil participation. For many who get involved it is their first experience of playing the game.

Since its launch, 1000 coaching sessions have been delivered to 5,000 pupils across 19 schools in the Aberdeen area, a celebration festival of cricket is held at Mannofield in June, the festival days are a culmination of the work over the school year and allow the children to put the skills they have learned into practice.

As part of the Aberdeenshire link with active school’s co-ordinators the Redball coaches have additionally provided; afterschool cricket clubs, health week and sports day support. Children are invited to come to the junior fundamental sessions at the club to continue their cricket journey.

Drum Property Group were awarded the Business Community Partner of the Year at the 2019 Aberdeen Sports Awards the judges recognised that Drum Property Group displayed vision and commitment to introduce children to the sport of cricket, and to continually expand and improve the programme on an annual basis. The increased support has seen participation numbers of both schools and pupils increase and allowed the company to provide tangible benefits for the children living in the community.