Cricket, Culture and Connection:
How Barclays and MCC Foundation Are Empowering the Next Generation in India
At a time when sport continues to prove its power as a bridge between cultures, the partnership between Barclays, the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation and Marylebone Cricket Club is reaffirming cricket’s unique ability to drive both social impact and international connection.
This Friday in Mumbai, around 100 young girls took part in a cricket festival on the outfield of the iconic Brabourne Stadium, in an initiative that extends far beyond the boundaries of sport. The event forms part of Cricket Unites, one of the MCC Foundation’s flagship programmes, designed to use cricket as a vehicle for inclusion, opportunity and long term community development.
With the support of Barclays, six new community cricket hubs are being established across Mumbai and Pune, providing free access to coaching, equipment and structured development for hundreds of girls. The project marks an important step in encouraging female participation in the sport, particularly in communities where access to such opportunities has historically been limited.
The day brought together representatives from the British Deputy High Commission, senior Barclays executives, MCC leadership and local delivery partners, offering a compelling example of how sport can strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and India. In an increasingly interconnected world, initiatives like this carry particular significance by combining social purpose, education and cultural diplomacy.
India’s role in this initiative is especially symbolic. Cricket is woven deeply into the country’s identity, shaping both its cultural landscape and its collective imagination. By investing in young girls and supporting the next generation of female coaches, the programme is helping to open doors to leadership, confidence and opportunity, both on and off the field.
As part of this exchange, two coaches from the MCC Foundation’s Female Coaching Scholarship Programme also travelled to India to continue their professional development, further underlining the importance of mentorship and access in creating meaningful pathways for women in sport.
Alongside the festival, MCC’s men’s team is touring India and Hong Kong, continuing its longstanding tradition of international exchange through cricket. Beyond the matches themselves, the tour also includes coaching clinics, umpire education and grassroots engagement, reinforcing the Club’s wider commitment to the future of the game.
At a time when institutions and brands are increasingly being measured by the substance of their contribution, this collaboration between Barclays and the MCC Foundation stands out as an example of purpose led partnership done well. In Mumbai, cricket once again proved itself to be more than a sport. It became a shared language of ambition, empowerment and hope.
