In a bid to make the sport as inclusive as possible, a UK cricket club has become the first in the world to provide a completely vegan menu for its players.
The move comes after Earley Cricket Club’s chairman and opening batsman, Gary Shacklady, campaigned to ensure the food served during match teas was suitable for vegan members of the team, including Muslim and Hindu players. Following a vote on the issue, the club’s committee agreed to introduce a plant-based menu.
“With a fully vegan match tea, we can cater for all dietary and lifestyle requirements,” Shacklady explains. “The teas have been well received as our players understand and support the reasoning behind the decision. Many of them do not follow a vegan lifestyle away from the club but are increasingly aware of the issues around meat, dairy and egg consumption, and have made efforts to reduce it.”
He added that visiting teams have been impressed by the change and that the only problem that has arisen is “the need to resume a cricket match with a stomach full of delicious vegan food!”

A selection of delicious food from Earley Cricket Club’s new vegan menu (Earley Cricket Club/Twitter)
“We love to see organizations make a real difference, and a vegan menu benefits both animals and humans,” comments Dominika Piasecka, spokesperson for The Vegan Society. “Offering plant-based food as default is inclusive, cheap and convenient, as well as contributing to a healthier society and more sustainable food choices that don’t harm others. We hope other clubs and organizations will follow Earley Cricket Club’s decision to switch to an all-vegan menu for everyone’s benefit.”
Following the club’s ground-breaking decision, four more team members were motivated to follow a plant-based diet in their everyday lives.
In its next animal-friendly step, Earley Cricket Club is testing out vegan cricket balls produced using synthetic leather.
Fantastic, thank you!
Un exemple à suivre! De vraies personnes civilisées !!!
Way to GO. BRAVO to these Cricketers who chose to go Vegan while playing with such strength, & still consuming the foods made with love & cruelty free. This will make the world a little more better place to live in…THANK YOU.
Bless all vegetarians and vegans even more.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSCIENCE DECISION TO HAVE A VEGAN MENU. I AM OFFICIALLY A CRICKET FAN.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS MUST BE STOPPED . THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH OF IT.. PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO CARE AND RESPECT ANIMALS WANT TO SEE THIS END. ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS TOO. WE MUST GIVE THEM A VOICE AND STAND UP FOR THEM.