Birmingham Phoenix has today unveiled the Tape Ballers League, an exciting new initiative designed to inspire young people across the city to get active through a fast-paced, accessible form of cricket, backed by global football star and Phoenix investor Jude Bellingham.
The programme marks Bellingham’s first major community initiative since investing in the franchise and reflects his commitment to giving back to Birmingham by creating more opportunities for young people to engage with sport. Using his profile and connection to the city, the initiative aims to bring cricket closer to communities who have traditionally faced barriers to participation.
Bellingham is not the only star name involved in Tape Ballers League, as each team will be supported by a high-profile manager with strong connections to the sport and the region. Birmingham Phoenix Men’s captain Jacob Bethell, Phoenix Women rising star Davina Perrin, Beard Before Wicket host Nubaid Haroon and community cricket voice Faraaz Noor will lead one team each through the competition.
Tape Ballers has been created to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing youth sport today. A large proportion of children drop out of organised sport by the age of 13, while limited green space and financial barriers mean many young people lack access to facilities and equipment.
Tape ball cricket is a dynamic, street-style version of the game played with a tennis ball wrapped in tape, requiring minimal equipment and space and allowing it to be played anywhere, from playgrounds to car parks.
At the heart of the competition, schools across Birmingham have been invited to apply, with four selected to take part in the inaugural league. Each squad will comprise ten children of which at least four must be female, with a team of eight playing in each match.
Successful schools will receive two coaching sessions delivered by the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, as well as surprise visits or messages from their team managers and Jude Bellingham himself.
The programme will culminate in a one-day, high-energy tournament, with the winning team celebrated on stage at a Birmingham Phoenix match during The Hundred.
Speaking about the launch, Jude Bellingham said: “I’m excited to be launching the Tape Ballers League. Think Ballers League, but cricket, and on the streets of Birmingham. It’s such a cool idea and I’m really excited to be part of it.
“I think it’s so important to get our kids in the city out there playing sports. I think it’s crucial and the opportunity of me being a part of Birmingham Phoenix is to try and help people realise there’s different avenues.”
The initiative forms a key part of Birmingham Phoenix’s ambition to grow participation among young and diverse communities, making cricket more relevant and inclusive. By combining grassroots access with the influence of athletes, creators and digital storytelling, Tape Ballers is set to engage a new generation of players and fans across the city.
Building on the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation’s extensive work with tens of thousands of children, the programme will help expand access to the game while supporting a more inclusive pathway into cricket for young people across Birmingham.
Tape Ballers League represents the start of a longer-term vision, with ambitions to expand the concept in future years, incorporating more teams and taking the format to other cities involved in The Hundred.
There is still time to enter your team, so please click here for the chance to be selected. Entries will be open until 17:00 on Wednesday 10 June.