United Kingdom · Community Interest Company
Cricket is the platform — but the goal is bigger. We help young people build confidence, resilience and aspiration, and rise beyond whatever stands in their way.
The Founder's Innings
Rise Beyond Cricket was founded by Tatenda Taibu. His own journey — improbable, demanding, and shaped by resilience — is the reason this organisation exists. He has lived what we now set out to teach.
Highfield, Harare · 1983
Tatenda grew up in the township of Highfield, where cricket was seen as a game for the privileged few. A schools development programme put a bat in his hands — and a coach who insisted he kept turning up for practice. Opportunity, offered early, changed everything.
Debut · Age 18
First-class cricket at sixteen. International cricket at eighteen. A wicketkeeper-batsman with a clear head and a fierce work ethic, he became a fixture in the Zimbabwe side faster than almost anyone before him.
April 2004 · Age 20
At twenty years old, Tatenda was handed the captaincy of his country — the youngest Test captain the game had ever seen, and the first black player to lead Zimbabwe. It was a record that would stand until 2019.
Leadership Under Pressure
He took charge as Zimbabwean cricket fell into turmoil — leading an inexperienced side through intense pressure, scrutiny and adversity that would have ended lesser careers. The resilience he built in those years is exactly what Rise Beyond exists to pass on.
A snapshot — and one of Zimbabwe's leading run-scorers and wicketkeepers of his era.
England · A New Innings
After retiring from international cricket, Tatenda made his home in England and turned to coaching, mentoring and youth development. In 2019 he told his story in his autobiography, Keeper of Faith — about cricket, conviction, and refusing to be defined by circumstance.
Today · Rise Beyond Cricket CIC
Rise Beyond Cricket is where his journey meets its purpose: using cricket, mentoring and community engagement to give young people across the UK the confidence, resilience and aspiration to rise beyond their own limitations.
“Using cricket to inspire confidence, build resilience and create brighter futures.”
— The Rise Beyond Cricket Mission
Why It Matters
Communities across the country are looking for positive, structured opportunities that help young people develop life skills, build resilience and engage with the world around them. We're built to meet that need.
Why Cricket
Cricket is a uniquely powerful platform. It demands patience, teamwork and composure under pressure — and it rewards them. The lessons learned at the crease carry directly into education, employment and life.
Our People
A team that combines international sporting leadership with professional expertise in social work, child protection and community development.
Founder & Managing Director
Former Zimbabwe captain and international cricketer, bringing elite-level leadership and a lifelong commitment to youth development.
Head of Operations & Partnerships
Professional experience in safeguarding, child-centred practice and multi-agency partnership working.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
An experienced social work manager with extensive child protection and safeguarding expertise.
Community Engagement Officer
Building trusted relationships with children, families and the communities we serve.
Special Adviser
Brings valued external perspective and strategic guidance, drawing on experience in the game to support the organisation's growth and its mission to develop young talent.
Led by an experienced social work manager, our safeguarding runs through every session, every programme and every relationship — not as a policy on a shelf, but as practice on the ground.
What We Deliver
Accessible, structured and meaningful — designed to support young people aged 8–25, schools and the communities around them.
Building real cricketing ability alongside the habits that make it possible.
Positive role models and structured support, helping young people set goals and meet them.
Opening eyes to what's possible — careers, aspirations and a plan to get there.
Bringing families and neighbourhoods together around something positive.
Year One · 2026–2027
Clear targets, honest measurement. We believe accountability and evidence are what turn good intentions into lasting impact.
Partner With Us
Your investment creates opportunity for young people, develops the leaders of tomorrow, and builds stronger, more connected communities — with the visibility and recognition your support deserves.
Recognition on our website and programme materials.
Become a partner →Website recognition, social media promotion and event acknowledgement.
Become a partner →Brand visibility across programmes, events and organisational communications.
Become a partner →A bespoke package with collaborative projects and tailored community impact opportunities.
Let's talk →Get In Touch
Whether you're a funder, a school, a community group or a volunteer — we'd love to hear from you. Tell us how you'd like to be involved and we'll be in touch.
