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Changemakers
Youth-led Research, Action and Equality through Cricket
Cricket Changemakers is a powerful approach that puts cricket in the hands of young people as a tool for participatory action research and transformative change. It invites players to explore local challenges, take action, and become agents of change in their schools, communities, and beyond.
From the Cricket Field to Community Change
Cricket Changemakers is structured around a series of playful yet purposeful phases: IGNITE, EXPLORE, PLAN, DO, REVIEW. These phases guide young people through a participatory journey — using cricket-based games to reflect on local issues, design solutions, implement change, and evaluate impact.
Rooted in Youth Participatory Action Research, the approach centres adolescent voices at every stage, fostering critical thinking, confidence, and collective leadership.
Ignite
Explore
Plan
Do
Review
Free
Resources
You can access and adapt all Cricket Changemakers tools, playbooks, and stories to bring this approach to your own school, club, or community, including:
Cricket Changemaker
Case Studies
Launched in South-Eastern Nepal embedded within the Cricket for Equality project, Cricket Changemakers was piloted by adolescent girls from marginalised communities. They became co-researchers, workshop facilitators, and cricket coaches, creating tangible change by:
- Increasing girls’ participation in cricket and public spaces
- Challenging gender norms in schools and families
- Co-creating and delivering gender awareness workshops for boys and teachers
Their work has been captured through participatory tools, REM workshops, and the storybook Ishq and the Cricket Changemakers — a fictional tale inspired by true events.
BUY a copy of Ishq and the Cricket Changemakers.
CONTACT us to learn about how you can use Ishq and the Cricket Changemakers to start a conversation about gender equality and sport in your school or community club.
READ the detailed impact evaluation and a summary of the PhD research undertaken by Cricket Changemakers’ creator Sara Begg.
Stories from the field
Learning to Do Research Through Play:
“We got inspired and empowered ourselves… we became Changemakers.”
(Cricket Changemaker, Morang)
Research Became a Team Effort:
“We increased friendship… we got support from others, and we slowly achieved goals.”
(Cricket Changemaker, Saptari)
Cricket Built Confidence and Connection:
“I used to fear speaking up. But, not anymore. I can speak up, I can play well, and I can compete with the boys.”
(Players, Morang)
