The Hundred creates virtual Minecraft stadium to appeal to young people
The Hundred, England Cricket Board’s 100-ball cricket competition, has unveiled an immersive stadium build in the video game Minecraft to engage a young audience and attract them to the annual summer cricket tournament.
The virtual stadium has been conceptualized as part of The Hundred’s ‘Every Block Counts’ competition
The virtual stadium was conceptualized as part of The Hundred’s ‘Every Block Counts’ competition, where Minecraft-loving kids across the country were invited to take part and tasked with drawing, painting, sketching or building their ultimate cricket stadium experience. Ten kids were chosen as the winners.
The virtual stadium features a see-through wicket with changing rooms, a rollercoaster, a rainbow arch, a sea creature moat flowing around the pitch’s boundary and a rooftop nature garden.
The 10 shortlisted winners were selected by a judging panel that included Birmingham Phoenix women’s team superstar and gaming aficionado Issy Wong, and Minecraft wiz and founder of BlockWorks James Delaney.
Wong said: “It’s been fantastic to see the levels of creativity from this competition. We’ve seen submissions beyond our wildest expectations, and the final build truly is a blockbuster cricket stadium. It’s been incredible to be part of this initiative; another first for The Hundred as it continues to push the limits in sport and entertainment.”
“As soon as I read the brief, I knew that I had to do something colorful. The arch over the stadium is a rainbow to celebrate diversity,” said 12-year-old winner Thea Burgess, talking about her cricket ball-shaped build with a rainbow canopy.
Eight-year-old Rosie Dwyer, whose design also made it into the final stadium experience build, said: “In Minecraft your imagination can run wild and free, and I wanted this stadium to have everything. I’ve gone for sea creatures swimming around the pitch as you watch the games.”
“Our boys both love playing Minecraft and, living close to Headingley Stadium, The Hundred massively caught their imaginations last year,” said Peter Dray, parent of 11-year-old winner Samuel. “Both children loved the challenge of designing Minecraft-inspired cricket stadiums, and we’re thrilled that Samuel’s design was chosen as one of the winners.”