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<h1>Cricket Festival to End Due to Changes in Venue Viability</h1>
<p>An ex-county player expressed his sadness over the conclusion of a long-standing junior cricket festival that has been instrumental in launching professional careers.</p>
<p>The Minor Counties Cricket Festival (MCCF), initiated by Don Topley, a former Essex cricketer and Zimbabwe coach, is set to conclude after 25 years. The festival has taken place at the Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Suffolk since 1999, but Topley stated that the site has become increasingly difficult to afford and manage due to its restrictive requirements.</p>
<p>The RHS, located in Holbrook, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all events abide by clear regulatory and safeguarding guidelines.</p>
<h2>Reflections on the Festival</h2>
<p>Topley, who is now 61 and a former student at the school, lamented that the decision to end the festival was unavoidable. He expressed pride in what the event represented but also sadness over its discontinuation, stating, "It was a unique festival at the RHS."</p>
<h2>Festival Impact on Young Cricketers</h2>
<p>The MCCF aimed to encourage under-12 participation in cricket, attracting hundreds of young players from as many as 22 teams each year. Notable alumni include Liam Livingstone and Reece Topley, both of whom have represented England internationally.</p>
<p>Topley, who now works as a cricket commentator, voiced concerns that the event's cancellation might adversely affect the opportunities for emerging cricketers, highlighting a troubling decline in youth engagement with the sport.</p>
<h2>Challenges Facing Grassroots Cricket</h2>
<p>Topley attributed some of these challenges to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), suggesting it was negatively impacting grassroots cricket development. He noted a lack of facilities and qualified coaches at the youth level as contributing factors to the decline, with the ECB's shifting focus on county cricket pathways creating further obstacles.</p>
<h2>Responses from Schools and Governing Bodies</h2>
<p>The RHS, recently sold to the Inspired Learning Group, reiterated its commitment to sports, proudly recalling its time hosting the festival. The school continues to welcome various sporting events while maintaining a focus on regulatory compliance.</p>
<h2>Recent Trends in Cricket Participation</h2>
<p>Despite the challenges, Sport England reported a rise in cricket participation levels last year, indicating the highest numbers since 2015-2016. The ECB also noted an increase in the number of teams and fixtures since the pandemic, along with a significant growth in women's and girls' cricket.</p>
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