Schoolgirls are being encouraged to take up cricket.

Sussex Cricket has teamed up with the Aldridge Foundation to offer free sessions across the county as a way of giving secondary school girls more opportunity to play the sport.

The soft-ball cricket sessions will take place in Brighton, Burgess Hill, Portslade and Worthing to girls aged 12 to 16 of any experience and ability.

The sessions are being provided by Sussex Cricket Foundation coaches.

The Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (Baca) – the home of Sussex women and girls’ cricket – will host the Brighton hub between 7pm and 8pm every Wednesday until July 25.

The Portslade hub will also run on Wednesday evenings until July 25, taking place between 6pm and 7pm at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (Paca).

The Worthing hub at Davison Leisure Centre takes place on

Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 7pm until July 24, excluding half

term on May 29 and June 12 when England women play a one-day international against South Africa at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

The Burgess Hill hub will run on Mondays from 6pm tp 7pm at the Triangle Leisure Centre until July 24, excluding the bank holidays on May 7 and 28.

Girls who attend the session will have the opportunity to compete in two tournaments at The Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre on Sunday, June 10, and Sunday, July 15.

Sussex Cricket’s women and girls’ development officer Charlotte Burton said: “The girls’ hubs are a fantastic opportunity for girls to try cricket as well as give those who are already playing the opportunity to develop further.

“Whether you have never picked up a bat, bowled a ball or have been playing cricket for years, the hubs are open to any ability for girls aged 12 and upwards.

“We work on different skills,

play some fun games and with the opportunity to play in two

hub tournaments in the summer, it gives the girls something to work towards in a safe and fun environment.”

To sign up visit www.sussexcricket.co.uk/women-girls or email charlotte.burton@sussexcricket.co.uk for further information.