Connecting the community through cricket
22 December 2025
West Mercia Police Federation members have been showing that cricket is more than just a game - it’s a way to promote wellbeing, strengthen community ties, and open up conversations around mental health.
Over the summer, officers from across the Force took to the crease twice - once to face NHS colleagues in the annual Blue Light Trophy, and again to represent West Mercia Police in the Worcester Street Sixes tournament.
Both events blended sport, camaraderie, and community engagement, helping to shine a light on the importance of looking after both physical and mental health.
The fifth staging of the Blue Light Trophy took place at Stourport Cricket Club, where West Mercia Police faced off against the Black Country Health Gladiators. The match was a close contest, with the Gladiators posting 102 runs before the police team chased down the target to win by three wickets.
Andy Forbes and the Kidderminster Neighbourhood Team, who
called themselves 'Justice 6'
Federation representative Andy Forbes said the event was about much more than the scoreline.
“It’s all about camaraderie,” he said. “Getting people together, giving them a release from their day jobs, and focusing on health and wellbeing.
“Both teams put in a huge effort on the pitch, but the real victory was in creating a space for colleagues across the emergency services to come together and support each other.”
Mental health
The Blue Light Trophy was established after the pandemic to raise awareness of mental health in policing and healthcare, as well as fostering closer ties between the two services. Andy said the clash has now become a firm fixture in the calendar.
“This was our fifth year and we’ve already started putting the feelers out for a date next year,” said Andy.
“Recruitment is strong in all our sports teams at the moment, so it’s relatively easy to get people to play.
“It’s about people enjoying themselves over a game of cricket, building friendships, and maintaining positive mental health.”
A few weeks later, West Mercia Police officers swapped the beat for a bat again when they took part in this year’s Worcester Street Sixes cricket tournament. The Force fielded two teams in the high-energy competition that took over Worcester’s High Street earlier in the summer.
Organised by the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation, the event is no ordinary cricket competition. A temporary pitch is set up in the heart of the city for local businesses and organisations to take each other on in a six-a-side tournament using sponge balls and plastic bats. Teams start on 200 runs and lose five runs for every wicket.
PC Andy Forbes, who also took part in this tournament, said the day was about more than cricket.
Community
Andy said: “It was great to be involved. For us, it wasn’t just about the cricket, it was the engagement with our community, forging partnerships, and the police being visible and accessible in our city centre.
“It also tied in perfectly with the Home Office’s Safer Streets summer initiative, which aims to make towns safer and help people feel safer.
“For us, it hit lots of key points.”
Teams taking part included SM Lawson Solicitors, Ice Blue and Kidderminster Business Improvement District, with funds raised going back to the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation to support inclusive and grassroots programmes across the county.
Andy added: “Events like this help us connect with people in a relaxed, positive environment.
“It’s about showing that the police are approachable and part of the community, and not just present in times of difficulty.”
READ MORE... in our latest federation magazine - read online now.
