The Desert Vipers celebrated the official opening of a brand-new cricket net facility at Uptown International School this week, marking a significant step in the school’s growing cricket program. The state-of-the-art facility features two full-lane artificial wickets, providing students with a world-class training environment.
The new facility was officially inaugurated by England, Lancashire, and Desert Vipers bowler Luke Wood, who took time out to coach alongside Desert Vipers Development Lead, Jack Luffman .
Since the introduction of cricket at Uptown International School in September 2024, the program has seen rapid growth, with up to 50 boys training regularly. Building on this success, the school will launch girls’ cricket in September 2025, with the support of a newly employed specialist female PE teacher with cricket expertise.
Principal Colin Gerrie also expressed his enthusiasm for the development:
“We are delighted with the new facility, which will enable our staff to further enhance cricket within our school and community. The boys have shown a real keen interest since we launched the sport, and I was more than happy to invest in what is a world-class facility. We now look forward to seeing the girls develop too.”
Jack Luffman, Desert Vipers Development Lead, praised the school’s commitment to cricket development, stating:
“It’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm and dedication from the students at Uptown International School. In just a few months, cricket has become a key part of their sporting culture, and this new facility will help take their skills to the next level. With the addition of girls’ cricket next year, we are excited to see even more young players embracing the game.”
This initiative aligns with the Desert Vipers’ broader commitment to grassroots cricket development. The team recently expanded its Schools Programme in partnership with Carrefour and Bluewater Group , aiming to introduce over 12,000 children annually to cricket while educating them on while promoting sustainability, holistic well-being, and healthy lifestyle choices.
