From attending their first cricket match at Edgbaston to taking part in Chance to Shine sessions and buying Bears membership for the 2026 season, two Junior Bears are now fully invested in the sport after a whirlwind introduction.
Until July last year, Austen aged 9, and Ashton, aged 7, hadn’t had too much involvement in cricket, but fast forward almost 12 months, and the family can’t imagine a life without it.
Their journey to being Bears fans came around due to unexpected circumstances when Austen suffered a double break of his arm. Sofa-bound, The Hundred was on TV, and Austen was hooked.
“During that period, he started watching The Hundred on television every day, and his interest in cricket really began to grow,” said Jack, Austen’s dad.
That initial interest led to the family attending their first ever cricket match together, on Friday 8 August last year.
“Austen attended with his arm still in a cast,” Jack added. “It was a special day because he managed to get autographs from Joe Root, Sam Hain and Chris Woakes, all on his cast!
“Sam spent a significant amount of time talking to Austen about his injury, asking questions and taking a genuine interest in how he was coping. As a parent, you can tell when somebody is simply being polite and when they truly care. Sam was incredibly kind, empathetic and patient with him.
“It would have been easy for a professional cricketer to sign an autograph and move on, but Sam went far beyond that. He was a wonderful ambassador for Warwickshire and left a lasting impression on our family. Austen still talks about that interaction today.
“There was also something quite memorable about Chris Woakes signing the cast while he was recovering from an injury himself and wearing a sling.
“For Ashton, that first visit sparked an obsession with cricket. He became fascinated by The Hundred, checking scores and league tables every day.
“Looking back, it was far more than just a day at the cricket.”
That first experience of a matchday at The People’s Home of Cricket turned out to be a gateway into the sport for both Austen and Ashton.
“Once Austen’s cast was removed, we started practising straight-arm bowling in the garden and looking for opportunities for him to play,” Jack said.
That opportunity came in the form of Chance to Shine, a programme run by Warwickshire Cricket Foundation across the county. Austen got hold of a newsletter at Finham Primary School in Coventry, and it was at that point both Austen and Ashton started attending sessions at Tile Hill, a new Chance to Shine hub that had been running for less than two years.
Their first experiences of playing the sport have made a huge impact.
“Both boys have absolutely loved it,” Jack said.
“The Chance to Shine sessions have been engaging, welcoming and fun, while also helping them build their skills and confidence.
“For Austen, cricket gave him something positive to focus on and a new sporting passion when things felt very uncertain.
“Ashton’s story is slightly different. He has tried a number of sports over the years, but nothing had really captured his imagination. Cricket has been completely different. He became fascinated by the game almost immediately.”
That fascination has been multiplied in 2026, with the family purchasing White Ball B5 Membership, giving the brothers access to all Vitality Blast and Hundred fixtures at Edgbaston.
“It’s been fantastic because it has allowed them to feel genuinely connected to the club and given them the chance to watch high-level cricket regularly,” Jack added.
“We’re particularly looking forward to attending more Vitality Blast fixtures throughout the summer, as well as seeing Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred again.”
Jack says cricket has become a huge part of family life, and that it has helped both boys develop confidence, resilience and an enthusiasm for the outdoors. It’s also added some competitiveness to cricket played in their back garden.
“Our garden matches have become incredibly competitive and now require full umpiring duties, complete with slow-motion replays on a mobile phone for DRS decisions!
“What started as a family day out at Edgbaston became the beginning of a genuine love of cricket for both boys, and ultimately led to them picking up a bat and ball themselves.”