A new Concertina Cricket Net System was given to Cubitt Town School this week

Former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm opened a new Concertina Cricket Net System at Cubitt Town School in Tower Hamlets this week.

The compact foldaway net was designed by the Jamaican-born cricketer and allows the sport to be played in schools with restricted outdoor space.

Cubitt Town head teacher Robyn Bruce participated in a coaching session with pupils alongside Malcolm and former Essex bowler Alex Tudor.

The net ranges from up to 10 metres and folds down to 50cm from its fixed position, enabling safe play in the Cubitt Town playground.

Malcolm discussed that he created the foldway net to try and ignite cricket in youngsters from an early age.

He said: “This innovative Concertina cricket system helps the children play cricket where space is at a premium.

“The net’s two feet can extend to ten metres making it possible to play the sport without requiring huge areas of space. If children want to play cricket it is imperative that they are able to play and this equipment enables them to do so in a limited space.

“If we can ignite passions for the sport from an early age and allow them to play the sport where before was not possible, then the system will be a success.”

Canary Wharf Group formally handed over the Concertina Cricket Net system to Cubitt Town and their strategic advisor Howard Dawber praised the idea.

“This brilliant system is ideally suited to schools with limited play space. It allows children to play cricket safely without taking up valuable play space for non-cricket activities,” he added.

“We are proud that Canary Wharf Group has supported the installation of this cricket net as part of our school and sport sponsorship programme.”

Cubitt Town PE teacher Allan Dick believes the net will be key to getting more pupils involved in the sport.

He added: “The net will improve their cricketing skills massively, which we are already seeing this morning. They’re eying the ball up properly; and this will really boost their skills.

“We want to focus on a few key sports in which we plan to compete. Equipment like this gives our kids extra opportunities, to play more high quality sport and take part in after school clubs.”