The Caribbean Cricket Archive (CCA) is an interactive online archive and database which documents over 130 Caribbean cricket clubs across the UK from 1945 to the present.
It captures the social and cultural roles these clubs have played and secures their stories for future generations. As more communities get involved, the archive continues to grow, enabling people to share oral histories in their own words.
Supported through the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs), the project has celebrated and promoted the legacy of Caribbean cricket clubs in the UK through:
- educational materials
- community events
- outreach campaigns
It has raised awareness of challenges such as limited access to funding, facilities and coaching, while highlighting the clubs’ cultural and sporting contributions. The archive has already extended its influence beyond the core project partners, playing a pivotal role in shaping diversity and inclusion strategies within cricket.
Empowering communities, inspiring youth and celebrating legacy
The archive was used to support a 2024 workshop at Jalgos Sports and Social Club in Preston, sparking rich intergenerational conversations and renewed pride in the club’s heritage. Since then, the club has:
- appointed a committee member focused on heritage
- initiated self-led history workshops
- begun establishing itself as a heritage centre
- commissioned public art to honour its legacy
The project has also encouraged greater youth engagement, inspiring young people to explore the histories of community institutions such as and Caribbean Club Preston. This growing interest is helping to build stronger connections between young people and the communities they belong to.
The partnership between UCL (Dr Michael Collins and Dr Montaz Marché), the African Caribbean Cricket Association, and the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) Programme has empowered community members to take charge of their own history.
Through workshops participants have gained the skills and knowledge to produce their own heritage narratives, and utilise UCL’s digital archive space. They are building a valuable resource for Black British history, within and beyond cricket.
Jalgos Cricket Club said:
The recognition and publicity Jalgos has gained from taking part in this project has been extremely beneficial. Participation in the Caribbean Cricket Archive has enabled the club to educate the wider community about our existence, particularly the role Jalgos played in community cohesion since its foundation as Jalgos West Indian CC in 1962.
Building pathways for youth and strengthening community ties
The project also supported an event co-hosted by UCL and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club with over 50 attendees. The event promoted physical activity, skill building, and job pathways for young people in sports, particularly in areas previously less visible to the county’s central administration.
These events expanded local engagement with ACE and mentoring schemes, supported by international and local stars including former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm. The active support of ACE’s coaching programme has helped develop youth cricket across Nottingham.
Through these efforts, the project has fostered inclusivity and strengthened community cohesion, creating meaningful intergenerational connections. New connections have been built between youth groups and established cricket authorities. This impact was amplified through oral history training workshops delivered in partnership with:
- Shepherd’s Bush Cricket Club
- Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
- Jalgos Cricket Club
This ensured the project engaged diverse communities across the UK.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have actively been using the archive and database to help them understand more about the people involved at these cricket clubs. This demonstrates how the project is informing decision-making at the highest level and driving meaningful change across the sport. Ultimately, the project is not only preserving history but transforming the structures that shape cricket’s future.