More play

Clubs & Leagues

We will grow our clubs and leagues by providing outstanding experiences for all by listening to players with regard to the formats, competitions and league structures they want to play in. As well as investing in support roles such as coaches, ggroundsmen and officials, we will develop the tools that will simplify the management of clubs and leagues and continue to invest in the facilities to create the most welcoming of environments. This will be delivered through local delivery plans and more help for our people who support local cricket clubs.

Focus

• Players, Coaches, Officials, Groundsmen, Scorers and Volunteers

Key local delivery partners

• Sport England, EWCT, ECB Regional Teams, County Cricket Boards, FCCs, National Cricket Conference, Leagues and Clubs

People & play

• Put the player at the heart of our decision-making and promote player driven formats of the game in our leagues and clubs
• Review the amount of national competitions supported by ECB to provide more opportunities to play across the whole league structure
• Deliver a new club affiliation core offer
• Deliver new CPD opportunities for coaches, officials and groundsmen
• Deliver a volunteer offer to drive recruitment, retention and recognition

Places & processes

• Invest in new and existing facilities that will deliver More Play opportunities for men and women
• Provide enhanced digital and hands-on support for clubs, leagues, coaches, officials and groundsmen
• Create better physical and digital signposting of how and where to play

Kids

We will provide more opportunities for kids to play by putting the bat and ball in more schools across the country and by engaging with teachers to integrate cricket more into the classroom curriculum. We will roll out an ability-based pathway for children that will foster skill development and player progression, but most importantly focus on just having fun. The first stage of that pathway will be a national, entry-level programme delivered in schools, clubs and the community with a greater connection to the professional game.

Focus

• All boys and girls aged 5-16

Key local delivery partners

• Sport England, EWCT, ECB Regional teams, MCC, CCBs, FCCs, Chance to Shine, YST, Clubs and Schools

People & play

• Develop an ability-based pathway, including a national, entry-level programme for children aged 5-12 for adoption in clubs, schools and youth organisations
• In partnership with Chance to Shine, expand the reach of the game into all schools across the country through a combination of bat and ball opportunities, a national teacher ambassador program and curriculum aligned classroom resources
• Support the Chance to Shine programme to expand delivery into more schools and connect with local club and community cricket
• Create a seamless transition across the age groups and different formats to reduce the current drop out at key ages
• Promote shorter pitch lengths for younger age groups
• Inspire kids through closer links between kids cricket and the professional game

Places & processes

• Support clubs to develop more opportunities for children to play and facilitate a greater recruitment from school based activities into more sustainable cricket participation
• Support clubs to develop more opportunities for children to play
• Provide fun, safe and family friendly environments for all children playing cricket
• Provide fun, safe and welcoming places and environments for all children playing cricket

Communities

• All players, but with focus on inner-city communities, girl's cricket, women's cricket, South-Asian communities and disability cricket.

Focus

• All players, but with focus on inner-city communities, women's & girl’s cricket; South-Asian communities and disability cricket

Key local delivery partners

• Sport England, Departments of Health and Education, DCMS, ECB, EWCT, MCC, FCCs, Lord's and Lady Taverners, Chance to Shine, National Asian Cricket Council, African Caribbean Cricket Association, Community Trusts and other cricketing charities, EFDS, CP Sport

People & play

• Implement inclusion and engagement strategies to deliver welcoming environments and opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds
• Prioritise additional investment in coaches for women’s, girl’s, multi-cultural groups and disability cricket
• Increase the opportunities for people with a disability to take part and play cricket at all levels
• Maximise the impact of hosting ICC global events to inspire a more diverse participation base to Play
• Deliver and invest in cricket programmes that are specifically designed to bring communities together and improve physical and mental wellbeing

Places & processes

• Develop new facilities in areas of strategic need to allow more people to play cricket more often
• Create a digital and social platform for Play
• Create the right opportunities to play for girls, boys, women and men

Casual

We will inspire stronger relationships with the game by breaking down barriers and improving accessibility. We will create opportunities for people to play the game anyhow, anytime and anywhere.

Focus

• Current, lapsed and new players

Key local delivery partners

• EWCT, ECB and commercial partners, indoor and urban cricket centres, FCCs, Local Authorities & The Third Sector, Lord’s Taverners and Last Man Stands

People & play

• Share best practice and use insight to deliver simple and enjoyable casual cricket offers
• Develop a 5 or 6-a-side version of cricket, played on artificial wickets to engage players at all ages and levels
• Support innovation such as Last Man Stands, Indoor, Tape-ball and Beach Cricket
• Create a 12 month participation programme using artificial wickets, indoor centres and other indoor spaces to allow all-year round play
• Drive availability of bats and balls for unstructured play

Places & processes

• Create partnerships with local authorities to support the protection and improvement in facilities
• Work with Sport England and other NGBs to create multi-sport facilities with a focus on inner city areas