An 11-year-old girl's life has been transformed for the better through community cricket projects in Glasgow.

Chloe Hughes, from Govanhill, started her cricket journey back in 2021 with the Cricket Scotland Wicketz training sessions.

She then progressed to the eight-week summer HOWZAT! Programme in 2023, which is funded by the Beyond Boundaries Scottish cricket charity.

(Image: Chloe Hughes)

After facing a difficult childhood, Chloe's mother, Claire Hughes, has seen a "huge impact on Chloe's life" from her involvement in these programmes.

The 50-year-old said: "The thing with Chloe is our family went through quite a bit when she was younger.

"You think kids are resilient to a lot of things when you’re going through your own grief, and you forget they’re going through it at the same time.

"Chloe experienced some personality issues around this time, so in cricket she found a positive outlet to express her grief.

"It has really brought Chloe on, giving her a focus and has been a positive thing for her health."

The HOWZAT! Programme is funded by Beyond Boundaries and delivered by Cricket Scotland.

Chloe has taken part in regular Wicketz sessions and is now competing in festivals and tournaments.

She added: "Chloe really looks forward to taking part in these clubs at the weekend. Keeping her active, making friends, it’s been a really good thing for her."

Zain Muhammad, from Cricket Scotland, said: "It’s great to see how well Chloe has progressed. She has a natural talent and is a hard worker.

"She’s often the only girl taking part in tournaments with kids up to 15 and 16 years old, which takes real courage."

Keith Wilson, chair of Beyond Boundaries, said: “It gives us great pleasure to hear the enjoyment and positive impact Chloe has experienced from all the cricket activities she is taking part in.

“The work of our charity focuses on encouraging an active lifestyle, improving mental health, social inclusion and self-confidence, so Chloe’s experience is exactly what we are striving to achieve.

“Securing extra funding is key to making initiatives such as HOWZAT! possible longer term, and we want to continue to increase the number of young, disadvantaged and underrepresented people in Scotland who can benefit from the programmes that we fund.”

Chloe attends Cuthbertson Primary School and lives with her family in Govanhill.