The Wilf Slack Cricket Centre launched in partnership with the Twyford CofE Academies Trust and Middlesex Cricket, took seven years from inception to completion, and was officially opened by Wilf Slack's sister, Phyllis, on 26th April 2022.
It is named after the Middlesex cricketing great Wilf Slack, who tragically passed away in 1989 at the age of just 34, having played such an important role in one of Middlesex Cricket’s most successful trophy-winning decades on the field. The new facility boasts four indoor lanes, video technology and analysis, bowling machines, a coaching suite, gym facilities, and plenty more besides.
As a player Wilf had a passion for developing young cricketers and was a role model for many young black cricketers of his generation – the Wilf Slack Cricket Centre is a fitting tribute to this special man.
The centre aims to provide opportunities to members of the local community, local recreational clubs, local schools, Middlesex Cricket’s Women and Girls squads, Disability squads, and Middlesex’s Participation Team to benefit from the world-class facilities – providing an environment for the next generation of cricketers to develop and thrive in the game.
William Perkin places a high emphasis on sport. It is part of a Church of England Multi Academy Trust which encourages all students to recognise their gifts and use them for the good of others. All four Trust schools are committed to enriching the local community – with William Perkin focusing on the Greenford area. With over 54% of Greenford’s resident population coming from diverse communities, interest in cricket is especially high in both boys and girls and the new cricket centre will be central to the school’s aims to engage with these local communities.
The project was delivered thanks to funding from a number of key strategic partners, including the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Sport England, Middlesex Cricket, and the Wilf Slack Young Cricketers Development Trust, without whose invaluable support the opening of the cricket centre would not have been possible.
Photos of the event, which was officially opened by Wilf Slack's sister, Phyllis, can be viewed in the gallery below.
