Oxfordshire Cricket is celebrating a significant milestone after officially being granted charitable status following a successful application to the Charity Commission.
The move marks an important step in strengthening the future of cricket across the county, enabling Oxfordshire Cricket to expand participation, increase educational initiatives and enhance support for clubs and volunteers.
As a registered charity, the organisation will be better positioned to encourage more young people to take up the sport, deliver wider community programmes and access additional grant funding.
Several county cricket boards, including Devon and Norfolk, have made similar transitions in recent years, helping to create more sustainable foundations for grassroots cricket.
Nick Pinhol, Managing Director of Oxfordshire Cricket, said:
“Being officially recognised as a registered charity is a hugely important moment for Oxfordshire Cricket.
“It strengthens our ability to invest in the game at every level and ensures that everything we do is focused on delivering clear community benefit.
“This status will help us reach more people, support more clubs and volunteers, and make cricket more accessible across Oxfordshire.”
The announcement was made at the launch of Oxfordshire Cricket’s 2025-28 strategy, held at St Edward’s School in Oxford on Monday 12 January.
The event brought together clubs, schools, partners, volunteers and young people, and opened with a video message from BBC Test Match Special broadcaster Henry Moeran, outlining the strategy’s vision, priorities and long-term impact.
The strategy includes ambitious targets, such as engaging more than 35,000 children through school and community programmes, increasing volunteer numbers by 30 per cent, growing junior participation by 20 per cent and training 150 new female coaches.
A key development unveiled at the launch was the creation of the Oxfordshire Youth Board, ensuring young people have a direct voice in decision-making and play an active role in shaping the future of cricket in the county.
Peter Tervet, Chair of Oxfordshire Cricket, said:
“This is a proud moment for everyone involved with Oxfordshire Cricket. The move to charitable status reflects our commitment to strong governance, transparency and long-term sustainability.
“It gives us the structure we need to safeguard the future of the game in Oxfordshire and to ensure we are always working in the best interests of the cricketing community.”
The application to the Charity Commission followed a Special General Meeting in October, where members voted in favour of pursuing charitable status.
Read more: Why 2026 will be a significant year for cricket in Oxfordshire
Founded in its current form in 1996, Oxfordshire Cricket has deep historical roots. County cricket in Oxfordshire dates back to 1779, with the county later becoming a founding member of the Minor Counties Cricket Association in 1895.
After a brief hiatus in the early 20th century, the county club was reformed in 1921 and continues to compete in the National Counties Cricket Championship.
