Gloucestershire Cricket Board

www.gloucestershirecricketboard.com

The County Ground, Nevil Rd, Bristol, BS7 9EJ.

Tel 0117 9108009 · e-mail : [email protected] ______

Minutes of Women and Girls Development Group Annual Forum Wednesday 18 th November at Stroud CC

Attendees: see attendees list

Apologies : Eric Woodmason, Wiggs Catto, Jules Taylor and David Dockray

Welcome and Introduction

Lisa Pagett welcomed everyone to the annual W&G forum and provided a running order for the evening. The discussions would start with U11s work through the age groups and then onto Women’s cricket. Lisa stated that it was important to capture people view points, concerns, things that they are unhappy or happy with, any suggestions etc.

U11 Softball Festivals Jim outlined the festivals that were run in 2015, Frenchay in mid-May, Cam beginning of June (part LT county round and Festival if numbers allow) and Frampton (late June). Frenchay (JD) and Cam (ND) confirmed that they are able to host again in 2016. Unfortunately Frampton are unable to host. A request was made to other to consider hosting a U11 festival. Clubs that said they were happy to host or the look at hosting were: Marshfield Brislington Bath There were no clubs from the north of the region who were willing to commit to a Festival. It may be that a Cotswold club may host which would be within travelling distance of Charlton Kings, Cheltenham and Dumbleton.
Follow up email to North based Clubs JD, ND

Hanham (RE) asked to confirm the format of these competitions, it was confirmed that it is 8 aside pairs Qwik cricket identical to the Schools Cricket Festivals involving 9,10 or 11 yr old.

U11 Transition to Hardball JD identified that there current is a large gap between 8 over, 8 a side softball cricket and hardball cricket. At U11 age group county matches are played using a hardball and pads/helmets etc. Trials are performed using this equipment and girls aren’t used to it. Also the matches at County level or U13 are longer in format and the girls aren’t prepared. The suggestion (JD) was made that there needs to be either a staggered season that starts with softball until the LT competition is complete and then there is a transition to incrediball and pads or to a hardball with matches at least 20 overs. Many clubs in the room have girls at different stages of development. Frampton and Corse and Staunton have mixed training sessions with the boys so are already exposed to hardball or are gradually introduced to it. Other clubs (Brislington & Charlton Kings) have girls only sessions but have girls that play in the boys teams in their local league. Other clubs differentiate between their girls so confident softball players and those that will trial for County train and play with their U13 girls team (hardball &pads), whilst U11 girls who need to develop more confidence remain in softball groups.

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Many clubs said that confidence was key at this age group moving girls on too fast usually meant that girls gave up. Also important was maintaining friendship groups and team spirit rather than only challenging the highest achiever. Each club and girls are different.

Longer format games. The major obstacle to longer format games was time. Ideally you need matches to be played locally so that games could be played midweek rather than Sunday matches. Club pitches under pressure at weekend.

It was agreed to include a box on the league entry form to allow those clubs to register an interest in more U11 competition either longer format games transitioning towards hardball or longer format softball matches.

U13 Very successfully 2015 season following implementation of regionalised leagues. More teams are forming in the south of the County which will boost numbers and increase number of matches played. It was agreed by all that the pairs format works. The LT Taveners hardball competition has the standard cricket “out when out”, & batters retire on 25 to give more players a chance of batting. Charlton Kings hadn’t heard of the LT hardball competition.
Action LP to ensure invitation to join LT hardball competitions is circulated to all clubs (when information for 2016 becomes available) JD ( Frenchay) requested that there was more flexibility on numbers able to play or more overs played. AD (Cam) said that it was important that matches could fit into evening and still left girls’ time to complete homework or play in school matches. It was agreed that U13 matches should be played in the evenings.

U15 LP said it although it was understandable why in 2015 there was no U15 league it was disappointing and this urgently needed to be rectified in 2016. Clubs were asked who had U15 girls

Dumbleton Bath Cam Brislington Cheltenham Frenchay Charlton Kings Bristol Phoenix Possibly Newent

A small group regional leagues playing T20 standard rules looks to be possible. Also requested to maintain “retire at 25 rule”.

SP (Cheltenham) asked if the U15 and U13 could be played on different nights as limited adults available to assist. Explained that when the fixture meeting occurs chose to play U13 and U15 and keep them apart. Depending on number of games played it may be possible to have a north/south play off.

Frenchay U15 are likely to commit to the BCYL U13 boys competition but in addition may also consider playing in girls’ league. Bristol Phoenix u15 girls, many are now u17girls and would have to play in the BYCL U15 boys’ league, so are considering their position.

Marshfield and Pucklechurch both said they have a couple of teenage girls that play with the women would it be possible to arrange some cricket for teenagers festival where girls come and get split up to form mixed teams and just play cricket.

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Older than U15 Only 3 clubs Frenchay, Bath and Cam said they had girls older the U15. There was a suggestion made by Pete Lamb was there any interest in a U19 Blast type competition but currently the girls just aren’t there. A option box for U17’s league/competition will be included on league entry for to capture what interest is out there.

Womens Cricket It is acknowledged that there are many challenges and issues associated with the current set-up for Womens cricket in the county.

No one solution. Different types of teams identified and clubs at different stages of development. Also need to plan ahead as lots of girls now at U13/u15 will need Womens cricket.

Of the newer emerging teams (Pucklechurch & Marshfield) there were common concerns: • Got so far now don’t know how to progress further with skills • Struggles to get pitches • Squad availability to get team of 11 players you need at least 20 on the books • Need for umpire/scorers etc • Not having other club contacts to arrange friendlies at short notice • Hardball T20 format was considered the correct format for the matches • Wanted cricket to be fun/enjoyable and fair

Some of these were shared by more established clubs and they also had concerns over • Interpretation of rules eg leg side wides • Making games fairer by changing the batting order • Had to be a positive experience to keep women engaged as all had busy lives • Recruitment difficult, other sports greater appeal netball, hockey whereby women had played them at school. Put off by hardball?

Some clubs had tried Mum&daughter sessions or Fun Day (CK). Frenchay and Frampton had tried to engage using softball kwik cricket or incrediball cricket sessions.

It was suggested that Glos W&G have a facebook or twitter account where things could be advertised to a wider audience. Rachel (OB’S) said that was happy to set up a facebook group.

OB’s are going to host a 8 a side Tournament

Many women’s club lacked access to a coach, they wanted to learn or improve their skills. LP stated that there was current a female only L2 coaching course in process which will lead to more coaches being available. It was asked if the idea of the GCB putting on coaching days could be investigated. A day where womens from all different clubs would come along take part if drills and skills and share the experience of playing women’s cricket. Ideas learnt could be taken back to the clubs.

Ian (Bath) said that was always women cricket & coaching happening at Bath and for those clubs clubs local to Bath he felt sure something could be arranged to pass on skill sets and may be able to get Anya Shrubsole or Fran Wilson to further inspire.

South West Women’s League Unfortunately Mike Collet was unable to attend the Forum to further discuss the developments in the South West League, However Ian Shrubsole was able to provide an overview. The south west women’s league offers a higher league of cricket. It plays 40 overs per side matches and T20 competitions. Currently Bristol Phoenix (Glos) , Bath (Somerset), Plymton

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(Devon), Newport (Wales) and Llangennech (Wales). The clubs that currently play in this league are composed of County representative players. There is a huge step between the best club sides and this league. Members of this league are aware that this gap need to be breached in order to provide a complete development pathway. Currently there are discussions taking place to see whether there should be a 2 nd tier of South west League, or regionalise matches further by inviting the better club sides into the league. There used to be an ECB cricket regional development officer to promote and oversee and co- ordinate regional competition, unfortunately this no longer exists.

Any Other Business • Sally ( Frenchay) asked if clubs could ensure all players were registered on play cricket. • Fixture setting meeting will be February 3 rd 2016 at Stroud CC this will be confirmed to all clubs. • Any chances of winter indoor women matches could be arranged. OB’s and Cam said that there was Indoor cricket available at Action sports but this wasn’t sports hall type games. • Hanham girls asked if anyone was interested in a mixed age groups 8-14 yr games, both Brislington and Frenchay said they would be interested.

Chair Phill O Dell thankyou the committee for the work and thank you for attending and contributing to an excellent meeting.

Forum closed 9.20pm

Attendees

Clubs Chair Phil O' Dell Bath Ian Shrubsole Brislington Alan Lynch Bristol Phoenix Steve Forecast Cam Ali Dixon, Julian Castle, Nicola Dickson Charlton Kings Clive Julian Ellis, Sharon Lynch Cheltenham Steve Pritchard Cor se & Staunton Debbie Cox, Helen Wyatt Dumbleton Guy -Sterling Lee Frampton Jeanette Tate, Claire Frenchay Jim& Sally Donaldson Frocester Pauline Bridge, Lianne Edwards Hanham Rich Edwards, Mollie Robbies Marshfield Jane Christie Old Bristiolians & W estbury Annette Cousins, Rachel Evans Pucklechurch Georgina, Sharon YMCA Golden Hill Sports Janet Street GCB Lisa Pagett Pete Lamb

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