The Friendly Cricket Collective
We use cricket to bring people together by opening up fun, friendly, low-commitment alternatives to traditional club cricket.
Why we exist
There are millions of adults who like cricket but don't play.We're on a mission to change this by opening up sociable, low-commitment alternatives to league cricket and designing the game into community life.We build communities so people can enjoy cricket as part of busy work and family life.
Friendly Cricket in South Bristol
We live in south Bristol so we've started building a community locally and testing ideas around here. This began with a one-off game for parents at Victoria Park Primary School and things are always evolving to meet needs of the community.
South Bristol Friendly Cricket Community
A community not a club!Joining a club can be daunting, even if you really enjoy playing cricket. We love the game but wanted an informal alternative, which is why we've set up our Friendly Cricket Community in South Bristol.With roots in BS3, our Friendly Cricket Community brings people together who want to play some friendly, low commitment cricket. Especially well suited to busy grown ups who've not played in years.We WhatsApp to communicate. Get in touch to join and belong to our growing community. We use group chats to organise a range of different activities to suit different people. Ultimately we want to connect the whole community through neighborhood cricket 🏏
Friendly Cricket Nets
Fun, friendly net sessions without needing to join a club.Set up so adults can play alongside busy lives. Totally hassle-free. We book facilities, provide equipment and promote to like-minded people so you don't have to. Just book onto sessions when your schedule allows.Click the link below to view upcoming sessions in Bristol.
Back to Cricket Softball Sessions
We're currently piloting indoor softball games with the Bristol community.Ideal for beginners, friendly competitors and anyone who's nervous about hardball cricket.Sessions are mixed gender, mixed ability. View upcoming dates below 👇
Back to Cricket Academy
We're currently piloting casual coaching sessions to help occasional players improve our game.Ideal for any ability. Hopefully we can help you middle a few more shots..Sessions are mixed gender, mixed ability. View Bristol dates below 👇
South Bristol Sundries
A nomadic cricket team that allows us to play midweek and Sunday friendlies in the Bristol area. Fancy a few games without committing to play regularly then get in touch via
[email protected].You can also view the fixtures schedule below 👇
Cricket on the Village Green
We often head over to play backyard style cricket in Victoria Park. There are loads of families and groups of friends who enjoy meeting to play sociable games.The favourite spot is the 'village green' towards the corner of Nutgrove & Hill Avenue. We make up the rules as we go along. All depends who and how many people are playing.We love it when different groups come together to create bigger games spontaneously. Usually more fun with some extra players.Some pick-up games get organised via our WhatsApp community, but feel free to join in whenever you see us, or head to the village green and get things going yourself. We'll join in when we can.Get in touch to find out more.
Casual Cricket Groups
We support and connect local cricket groups formed amongst friends, primary school parents, work colleagues or parks and other places to play.The Victoria Park parent group was the first of these, and since then we've started linking together a cluster of similar groups that include Extras CC, Bristol Casual Cricket and a couple more parent groups from local schools.We help these groups organise the casual cricket that suits them, including nets, matches and meetups. Sometimes activities bring members of different groups together.If you'd like to find out more about these groups, or you'd like to start something of your own, then please get in touch.[email protected]
Across Bristol
We believe cricket can bring every
Bristol community together. We're always looking to do more to connect with people across the city...
Creating new cricket communities
We believe every neighborhood deserves a friendly cricket community. A group that offers an alternative to club cricket.If you live elsewhere in the Bristol area, we'd love to hear from you. We're actively looking to kickstart a new group in East Bristol and potentially elsewhere too if there's interest.If you're interested in getting a group started, get in touch. We can help you get things going with minimal fuss, maximum fun.
Get your game on
Looking to set up a fun, social cricket match for a group of colleagues, neighbours or a social group?We organise friendly games for groups of all levels. From primary school parents to work colleagues or neighbourly groups.... we handle everything: venue, equipment, inclusive rules, and even an opposing team. Once you've gathered a willing group of people just bring your enthusiasm, and we'll handle the rest! Email us to discuss what you're after.[email protected]
Primary Parent Cricket
We started out with a group of mums and dads at our local primary school. Cricket has been brilliant for building social connections with fellow parents and building a meaningful community around a shared interest.Together with the Googly Fund, we're looking to grow Primary Parent Cricket. If you'd like to get a parent team together at your school, we can offer some seed funding to help you set up an inaugural match.Find out more by emailing [email protected]NB: Victoria Park parents will happily provide an opposition if you get group together.
Primary Parent Cricket Day
Getting a whole team together might seem daunting, so we're planning to host a friendly cricket day that brings parents together from different primary schools.If you're interested in giving the game a go with like-minded folks, then click the link below to express your interest 👇
Under the Radar
The bowling speeds of top players are well known, but casual cricketers typically go under the radar.We're curious to know the pace in village cricket, so we've started running sociable speed tracking sessions.If you've ever wondered what speeds you bowl, or how your pace compares to your team mates (or opponents).. get in touch to book a session with our pocket radar. Warnings: egos maybe squished.
Cricket in the City
Exploring Bristol's public spaces one game at a time. We're testing out different places and working out where's good to play. This includes parks, city squares, ball courts, roof tops and a few hidden gems.Take a look at the video from our first outing via the arrow below, and get in touch if you're interested in street cricket next time. We have an active community that enjoy meeting up to play.
Nationwide
It's not all about Bristol. Here's what's going on elsewhere.
Friendly Cricket Map
We've started mapping all the alternatives to commitment-heavy league cricket. View the map or add to it here.
The Old Grumblers
A nomadic cricket team celebrating 20th year. Formed on Clapham Common during 2005 Ashes the team are still loosely based in London and south east England. The OGs play occasional Sunday friendlies and like to tour. New players always welcome. Ability not a pre-requisite.[email protected]
The Trundlers Club
The Trundlers Club is a celebration of village bowling. We've been measuring bowling speeds to satisfy our own curiosity and started posting these online for all to see.
See the 'leaderboard' by clicking below