The critically acclaimed, Bafta nominated and RTS award winning Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams is back for a third series with sporting legend Freddie Flintoff taking on an even tougher challenge.
Determined to prove that his previous success wasn鈥檛 a one off, having created a cricket team like no other in his hometown of Preston and taken them on a life changing tour to India, he's now set his sights on a much more ambitious plan.
Freddie wants to supersize the project right across the North West of England: He鈥檒l attempt to form boys teams in Manchester and Liverpool while also attempting to create his first ever girls team in Blackpool at a club without any youth teams. Can he prove his blueprint for a league of dreams can work against a backdrop of a lack of funding, uninspired teens and derelict cricket clubs?
Joining Freddie in an extended coaching team is former Lancashire fast bowler Kyle Hogg and new recruit, current England Women鈥檚 international player Kate Cross.
IC
Meet The Coaches
Kate Cross
How did you feel about joining the coaching team this series?
I was really excited when Fred called me to ask if I鈥檇 be willing to help. I had seen the first series and loved how much attention the series had gathered. Growing up playing cricket I know how vital the sport was in changing my life so to see the Preston lads getting that chance was great to watch. Initially I wasn鈥檛 too sure what to expect with the Southshore girls but I was excited to try and encourage some young girls to give cricket a go.
Why is it important for Freddie to form a girls cricket team?
I think because it shows that the sport is for any gender. As professional cricketers we know how important visibility is and you can鈥檛 be what you can鈥檛 see. So for Fred to put women鈥檚 cricket on our televisions is so important for the next generation to see that it鈥檚 something they could look to go into, if they wanted to.
I also think that Fred brings the fun, and for people to see that cricket can be a fun sport is great for people to see.
What was your first impression of the girls鈥� team?
My first thought was that Fred had bitten off more than he could chew! When we first arrived it was raining and a bit miserable and I couldn鈥檛 work out if we鈥檇 be able to make the session fun enough to get the girls to come back the following week. The girls were so reserved at first and it was quite difficult to get their attention focused on what we wanted them to do. But what stood out so quickly for me was how much they became a group of friends. They were making videos for social media and having fun straight away which was a good sign!
What was the most rewarding aspect of being involved in the programme and what where some of the challenges you faced?
One of the biggest challenges we faced was getting the girls to understand that it was okay to fail at something that they were new to. It felt like they put so much pressure and expectation on themselves. Our job as coaches was to try and alleviate that pressure and make sure the girls had some fun. But when you broke through those moments and started to see the improvements it was amazing to see their faces when they did achieve something. From the first session we did to the last game we played the difference in their confidence was unrecognisable. And you could tell they all wanted to help each other get better which was a great to see.
How important is it for budding female cricketers to be able to play as part of a girls' team, rather than a boys' team?
I think playing in an all-girls team brings a sense of belonging and unity. The girls faced challenges together and got each other through them which felt like a real sense of teamwork and friendships was being built. I also think being able to play in a girls' only team created confidence within the group.
When younger, were you able to play alongside girls?
I actually played mostly boys' cricket growing up and while it had its advantages, I always stood out as the only girl in the team which immediately created a talking point. I always felt I had to prove a point as to why I had been picked which always made me feel under pressure in some way so for the girls to look around and see other girls on the same journey as themselves was really special.
What advice would you give to any aspiring female cricketers?
Enjoy yourself. I know that can be easier said than done sometimes but sport is there to be enjoyed and if you鈥檙e not having fun then it can be quite a lonely place. The great thing about cricket is the people you meet along the way and you make lifelong friends because of it. So, although people judge themselves on wickets and runs, also measure yourself on how much fun you have whilst you鈥檙e playing.
Kyle Hogg
How is this series different from the previous two series?
Taking on three teams was a challenge, and being able to give them all the same experiences at once. And obviously we had a girls team, which we had never done before!
What were some of the challenges you faced this series?
Some of the main challenges were getting to know all the people involved as there were probably over 30 new players involved and it takes time to see how they are as individuals. And dealing with teenage girls was an emotional rollercoaster as most of them hadn't played cricket before. We always felt if we put the effort into them individually and as teams, they would see the benefit of what team sport brings.
What do you think will resonate most with audiences watching this new series?
Hopefully people will watch it and think 'I'd love to take my daughter to my local cricket club', because it looks like a great environment.
Girls' Team - Blackpool
Matilda
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
I鈥檝e been playing cricket since I was five years old at my local club, Fleetwood in Blackpool, but I always played in boys鈥� teams because there wasn鈥檛 a girls鈥� team. My uncle and my cousins play for Fleetwood first team, so every Saturday we'd go up as a family to watch them. Cricket is a massive part of my family and always will be.
What did you enjoy most about joining the team? Was there anything that surprised you?
I enjoyed playing in a girls鈥� team as I鈥檝e never had that opportunity before. I鈥檝e genuinely made friends for life in the team. I loved all the girls. A massive thing for me was having Freddie, Kyle and Kate as coaches - I鈥檝e looked up to them my whole life and watched them play on TV so it was a dream come true. They鈥檝e had a big influence on me and I鈥檝e learnt so much; I'm so grateful for the experience.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
For me personally, I鈥檝e always found it difficult to find confidence in myself and my ability in cricket and I get scared of getting things wrong and letting my team down. I鈥檇 beat myself up if I didn鈥檛 play perfectly but hearing that Freddie has had similar experiences made me feel less alone and has helped me overcome that fear.
Do you think you will continue to play cricket in the future?
Yes, I鈥檝e never known my life without cricket! I鈥檝e started coaching the first girls鈥� team at my club who are aged between 8 to 13 years old and we now have 25 members and they鈥檝e just come second in the league. I鈥檓 so proud of them. Since I鈥檝e been involved in Field of Dreams I鈥檝e found even more love for cricket and my dream would be to present cricket on TV.
Madison
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
Before joining the Blackpool Team, I had never played cricket before and wouldn鈥檛 have thought of it either! I always considered cricket was a sport for older and wealthier people. But I really enjoyed being part of the girls鈥� team.
What did you enjoy most about joining the team? Was there anything that surprised you?
What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships. I have struggled with female friendships for many years and I was surprised at how welcoming each girl was to me and they never judged me.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge I faced when playing cricket was learning to believe in myself and understand that not everybody is perfect at everything!
Boys' Team - Liverpool
Ryan
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
I thought it was shockingly s***, I had seen it on TV and thought it鈥檚 all Tory people playing! I had played in primary school but threw a bat at someone in a rage, so I wasn鈥檛 allowed to play any more!
What did you enjoy most about joining the team?
I liked meeting all the new people and learning a new sport. I enjoyed the matches. What surprised me was that I was actually quite good at it.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
To actually have the willingness to turn up! I鈥檓 not very good at committing to new things but every week I found myself turning up and wanting to play.
Do you think you will continue to play cricket in the future?
Only time will tell with that one! At the moment I鈥檓 pretty busy working but down the line I鈥檇 like to.
Michael
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
I thought I didn鈥檛 really like it. I had played it a few times with my family just for fun but wasn鈥檛 ever into it.
What did you enjoy most about joining the team? Was there anything that surprised you?
I really enjoyed gradually getting to know other lads. At first I didn鈥檛 know anyone and was thinking 鈥渨hy am I here with all these kids that are still at school?鈥� and then I got to know them and realised they were sound.
I was surprised with my own journey throughout filming Field of Dreams. I used to be quite negative, but I learnt a lot about myself and I think I鈥檓 a more positive person now.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
For me the biggest challenge was being filmed all the time! It took me a little while to feel comfortable with it all and be able to be open and myself, but I soon forgot the cameras were there.
Do you think you will continue to play cricket in the future?
I鈥檒l definitely play it with friends. I鈥檓 not sure if I鈥檇 ever play in a serious team but you never know!
Boys' Team - Manchester
Presley
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
I played before at primary school now and then but I鈥檇 never got into cricket like I have now. At first I didn鈥檛 think it was for me, but when I started getting into it, I realised it鈥檚 a good sport to play.
What did you enjoy most about joining the team? Was there anything that surprised you?
I enjoyed going to the club every week and training, I looked forward to seeing my mates there and Freddie. And I loved it when we won and everyone was together celebrating like all my family.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
We almost lost our team because our club wasn鈥檛 in a good enough state for us to use it. We needed a new club and more players, and I thought that might be it for us. But we found a new club who were really welcoming, and I can鈥檛 imagine ever being anywhere else now.
Do you think you will continue to play cricket in the future?
Yeah definitely, 100%! I am planning on speaking in schools about cricket and encouraging more young people to get into it.
Myles
What did you think about cricket before joining the team? Had you ever played before?
I had never played cricket before, not even at school. I thought it was a well posh sport and I鈥檇 never play it!
What did you enjoy most about joining the team? Was there anything that surprised you?
The environment and people that I met. I was surprised about the diversity of the team. Everyone was totally different, from all walks of life.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
Batting - I鈥檓 too tall! I can never hit it, and at 6ft 7'' no one could ever bowl to me!
Do you think you will continue to play cricket in the future?
I think so, after the summer holidays I鈥檒l get back into it but boxing is my number one passion.
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