The League Cricketers’ Association

The LCA Guide to Club 2012

In Association with

www.thelca.co.uk WHAT IS THE LCA? CONTENTS

The League Cricketers’ Association (LCA) is a dedicated “This is a fantastic concept and a breath of fresh organisation, in place to put amateur cricket “on the air for league cricketers in the UK. I would urge all map”. The LCA was created to become the ‘cricketer’s players to get involved.” best friend’ and give league cricketers, who put in so , Surrey and . much time and effort to play, a place to interact and Structure 5-9 receive various benefits, information and awards. “We recognise how great the game of cricket is and how it is the lifeblood of many societies up Your Club 12-17 The LCA is a fantastic media platform giving exposure to and down the country, facilitating on field battles players and officials whilst offering cricket companies the between communities and featuring a togetherness Funding and Facilities 18-25 opportunity to reach their target market. amongst every creed and colour. Cricket has given so much to us all as individuals and we at the LCA are Junior Cricket 26-32 The LCA Guide to Club Cricket has been produced to thankful for that.” give every cricket club member across the UK valuable Richard Logan, Chairman. Players 33-50 information surrounding a number of areas, from what it takes to run a cricket club successfully through to preparing The LCA is completely free to join and covers a number Officials 52-55 and reading a , picking kit and training properly for of areas for the individual club cricketer. These include the season. offering exclusive deals on cricket products and services, Groundsmen 56-57 Player of the Year awards presented at the annual The LCA and the Guide is supported by some of the biggest Awards Dinner, unique news and blogs that will include Women’s Cricket 59-60 names in cricket including Kevin Pietersen, , interviews with a whole host of cricketers from all , Dimi Mascarenhas and . Each corners of the country, and cricket insurance for the 2011 Competition Round Up 62-64 ambassador appreciates the work that is being done by the individual. LCA, having identified club cricket as an integral stepping stone in their success in their own cricketing careers. Join the LCA now - www.thelca.co.uk ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Editor Commercial Richard Logan Dominic McMullan, Ganadores Sports Marketing Ltd. Sub-Editor Richard Browning LCA Ambassadors Kevin Pietersen ECB Graeme Swann Paul Bedford - Head of Non First Class Cricket Paul Nixon Jane Hannah – National Volunteer and Participation Manager – Head of England Women’s Cricket – Development Lead – Women’s and Girls Cricket Prizes Hannah Tomlinson – Club Programmes Administrator Jaguar

Chance to Shine Media Claire Hall – Partnerships Development Manager Jamie Hopkins

ACO Case Studies Nick Cousins – Senior Executive Officer Newcastle Cricket Club - Phil Hudson Ben Francis – Finance and Project Officer York Cricket Club – Nick Kay St. Just Cricket Club – Chris Goninan Boards & League Officials Chessington Cricket Club – Daniel Yarnley Mike Woollard and Richard Newton – Cheshire CB Hedge End Junior Cricket Club - Dave Clouting Andy Hobbs – Formerly Sussex CB Content Images David Hodgson – Groundsman LMI Photography Michael Main – Strength & Conditioning Coach at CCC David Wilson Inspired Cricket – Iain Brunnschweiler - Author and England U17 Barry Mitchell Head Coach

2 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 3 Foreword StructureStructure of theof the game game FOREWORD GAME STRUCTURE Having been a strong supporter of the LCA since Cricket truly is the best sport out there. I have been A good working knowledge of the structure affiliated to the ECB. The organisation and control of the game played in each county is vested in the board of each its inception, I am delighted to be able to pen a lucky enough to experience the game all the of the game avoids misunderstandings County, and members of the relevant boards are able to few words supporting this excellent organisation. globe, played in World Cups and Ashes series with concerning the roles of the various help any league, club or individual with any problem that Club cricket is the very heartbeat of the game in and against some of the best players in the world, organisations. Cricket in England is may arise. The work of each association is carried out by committees which are responsible to each board. this country, and the LCA has added a dimension and yet it is still my amateur days as a teenager organised, controlled and governed by the borrowed from the professional game that can that bring back the greatest memories. I hope England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). It is The role of your County Board only help the amateur game go from strength to you all share with me in the love for this beautiful played under the laws of the Marylebone The ECB and 39 County Boards have four core roles and strength. game and continue to play for and support your Cricket Club (MCC). The rules and regulations responsibilities: strategic planning, programme management, local clubs for many years to come! of the ECB detail the manner in which cricket performance management, and effective governance. My own memories of club cricket are very rosy. is controlled and administered throughout Agreed collective responsibility and common goals – participation, club accreditation, club members, coaching Playing firstly for Horton House juniors I remember All the best the country. The object of the rules and roles, volunteer roles and player development – are worked blazing fifties, taking spectacular one handed regulations is to enable the game to be towards by the County Boards, who are best placed to deliver. The head offices - the County Boards - are supported catches and ripping out stumps with my vicious Swanny governed across the country in a uniform by the branch offices - the 1,400 Focus Clubs - each turn (my memory recall may differ from actual manner. The ECB provides support for of which has a detailed development plan. This allows events). My senior club cricket was played at the game far beyond the boundaries of the ECB to pinpoint the needs and aspirations of each of those Focus Clubs who are judged by five key performance Saints, where my enthusiasm for the international and first class cricket. indicators - increased participation, increased club game was further heightened by my making some membership, club accreditation, increase in coaching roles Leagues and Clubs and increase in volunteers. real friends for life. I still return to Birchfield Road Planning decisions are made through the 39 local CCB East on the odd free Saturday to see my mates Once a club is accepted into membership of a County Operational Management Groups which involve key taking on all comers in the Northants Prem, and Board, it is required to abide by the Rules of The MCC, personnel from the County Boards, the County Sports league or competition and may be fined and / or otherwise Partnership and the County Development Managers. This also to have a pint in the best bar in the league! disciplined if it breaches these rules. single decision body is responsible for strategic planning, It is important to appreciate that in most cases, league investment priorities, activity planning and the measuring officials are honorary officers and that a poorly run club and analysing of performance. causes a great deal of additional work for all concerned. ECB has established a single integrated planning process A club secretary, in particular, must have a good working which is called the County Cricket Board Improvement knowledge of the rules of all organisations of which the Planning Process, which allows self-assessment against a club is a member. process of local circumstances. A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS In the most serious cases of maladministration, a The County Boards are accountable for the club may be expelled from its league, or in cases where of the action plan in order to qualify for funding and this Cricket is the only sport that stops for tea. That And much like the world of cricket, we’re guided by breaches of the ECB or County Board rules have occurred, process is reviewed twice a year. must make it the most quintessential of British a straightforward sense of fair play – we don’t use its affiliation may be suspended or withdrawn (cases are The structure also positions CCBs firmly within the Delivery generally subject to a right of appeal, but where a decision System for Sport in which 49 County Sport Partnerships work games. A good spread of sandwiches and cakes gimmicks, we don’t take shortcuts, and we treat is taken at a General Meeting, there is often no appeal). to an agreed Memorandum of Understanding which formalises is essential to any traditional cricket tea, but what the people who grow our tea with respect, paying a common set of Key Performance Indicators, a performance Codes of Conduct management framework, core roles and responsibilities and a really makes it is a proper brew. fair prices, and visiting tea gardens and estates in joint planning, investment and decision making process. person to build strong relationships - well, anything It is most important to remember that cricket is supposed This allows ECB to secure support from the nine Sport At Yorkshire Tea, our connection with cricket goes else just wouldn’t be cricket. to be fun as well as a competitive sport. Players, officials England Regions and the Sports Council for Wales, 49 and spectators should abide by the ECB Non-First Class County Sport Partnerships and 400 Community Sports beyond the depiction on our distinctive packs of Rules and Regulations. Networks. This is backed up by a robust data system.This a village team enjoying a game – we’ve been is the County Board Management System which contains the detailed information such as Headline KPIs, detailed supporting cricket at local league level for over a County Boards activity planning, core reference, year-on-year progress decade and have been making tea the proper way and a breakdown, by geographical areas, of investment (the Yorkshire way) for longer still. There are 39 geographical County Boards that are and accreditation.

4 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 5 Structure of the game StructureStructure of theof the game game

County board contacts Case Studies – Cheshire & Sussex the way they recruit and retain volunteers across the whole club and supporting clubs in funding bids to ECB NORTH REGION Mike Woollard - CDM, Cheshire Cricket Board and other partners. Funding is always difficult to find, Cumbria [email protected] Andy Hobbs - Former CDM, Sussex Cricket Board but our role is to make sure that the clubs’ priorities fit Cheshire Mike Woollard [email protected] with the growth of the game and then point them in the Durham Graeme Weeks [email protected] What are the main areas of support available to right direction. Lancashire Andrew Hayhurst [email protected] clubs from the Club Development Manager? MW: Liaise with all clubs within the County to If you were to advise a Club on how best to Northumberland Ian Wardle [email protected] encourage all to embrace the Clubmark ethos, and utilise the County Board, what would your Yorkshire Andrew Watson [email protected] achieve and maintain accreditation. We have 129 clubs answer be? in the County, 105 of which have junior sections and as MW: We sincerely believe that the greatest issue MIDLANDS REGION of today 92 have Clubmark Accreditation, with another deterring adults and older teenagers from playing is Derbyshire Howard Dytham [email protected] due in the next month. the length of the game, and the time commitment Herefordshire Glyn Harrhy [email protected] To enable me to best do this I co-ordinate and attend thereto, and the CCB are keen to see leagues embrace Leicestershire Ged McDougall [email protected] District Development groups throughout the County. Not the shorter format at 2nd and 3rd team levels, Lincolnshire Niall Young [email protected] all clubs do attend, but it is a prerequisite for Focus Club together with restrictions to avoid some Northampton Derek Styman [email protected] status (92 at present). A significant element is facility players dominating at the expense of the enjoyment of development, and in recent years we have successfully other participants. Nottinghamshire Keith Tongue [email protected] accessed a significant amount of funding from ECB We genuinely believe that clubs could be more Shropshire Chris Dirkin [email protected] and other agencies to support over £3 million worth of vibrant (and have greater bar turnover) by playing two Staffordshire Jason Britton [email protected] projects in 60 of our Focus Clubs, many of which are for at one venue (four teams) thus releasing Warwickshire Ed McCabe [email protected] new net facilities (31 clubs), Pavilion developments (5 other grounds for the same format, whilst the longer Worcestershire Tom Hill [email protected] new plus 1 significant extension), 4 drainage projects and game would still be available for those so wishing. the balance machinery. We recognise this would be difficult to organise, WALES REGION I also encourage clubs to commit to the ECB ‘V’ but the nettle must be grasped. The Board are keen Womens Sarah Ginn [email protected] programme (over 70 clubs signed up). to assist clubs in remaining financially healthy, and CDO Ben Field [email protected] Cheshire Cricket Board has a staff of 11 including compliant with employment law and tax issues (over Coach Development and Performance Managers and six 60 clubs now have CASC status), and frequently Development and Coaching Officers delivering the Chance communicate through development groups and LONDON AND EAST to Shine programme and working closely with clubs and seminars specifically tailored to their needs. Bedfordshire David Mercer [email protected] coaches in all areas of club life. AH: Talk to us! The support one club needs is always Cambridgeshire Jenny Lambert [email protected] AH: The CDM role aims to provide support to clubs in the different from another club. The best thing we can do, Essex Daniel Fiest [email protected] areas that the club most needs. We expect our CDMs to whilst it is not tangible, is sit down with a club and Hertfordshire Colin Chatfield [email protected] have a close working relationship with the club, for them talk through options. There can follow many different Huntingdonshire Kevin Clement [email protected] to work together to understand where the club is going ways in which clubs and the county board can work Gary Stephens [email protected] and what its needs are. The support offered from this together, but the best starting point is discussing what Middlesex point is then entirely geared to the club’s needs, whether the club needs. that be Coach Education, volunteer recruitment, player Norfolk Kieron Tuck [email protected] recruitment, player development or funding / facility Suffolk Rob Jones [email protected] development. Clubmark is a fundamental part of this Surrey Paul Taylor [email protected] process and the ECB Development Planning tool aims to Sussex Tim Shutt [email protected] aid clubs to plan for the future.

SOUTH WEST REGION From the huge role that a County Board plays in Berkshire Mark Roche [email protected] helping Clubs and Leagues, is there a specific area Buckinghamshire that you find more clubs need help with and could Cornwall Joe Skinner [email protected] you give an example of this? Devon Matthew Theedom [email protected] MW: Most clubs would cite finance and players as their two biggest issues, although we would add volunteers Dorset Keith Brewer [email protected] as paramount in their ability to address these two. We Gloucestershire Steve Silk [email protected] are working closely with alternative forms of the game Hampshire Ben Thompson [email protected] (indoor leagues and Last Man Stands) which may go Isle of Wight Stuart Chatfield [email protected] some way towards addressing this. Oxfordshire Rupert Evans [email protected] AH: The most common areas of need are volunteer Somerset recruitment and facility development / funding. We have Wiltshire Peter Sykes [email protected] worked with many clubs on both, with clubs changing

6 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 7 Structure of the game Structure of the game

Club Accreditation ECB Clubmark The Club Cricket Conference clubs to offer their own fixtures or grounds for hire. An agent for change A chargeable manned fixture bureau operates by How to gain accreditation: The ECB continues to work with Sport England on the telephone during the season. pioneering club accreditation scheme ‘Clubmark’ to develop a First of all, to gain any accreditation, you must be accredited to your vibrant and healthy club cricket infrastructure. County Cricket Competitions local County Board. To gain accreditation from your local County Development Managers (see page 6) can help clubs through The Conference also administers The Conference Cup, Board, your club must have at least one team that plays in a league the process of achieving ECB Clubmark Accreditation. a 45 over knock out competition running on alternate that has your local County Board accreditation. Once you have ECB Clubmark gives clubs an opportunity to write and weekends to the ECB Kingfisher Beer National Cup gained accreditation from your local County Board, you are then implement new procedures as well as acknowledge existing so allowing clubs to enter both competitions. The able to become accredited to the various ECB statuses that are practices. Cricket clubs are required to present evidence and Sovereign Trophy is a knock out competition for available to help you grow and run your club. By being accredited, demonstrate implementation across four different themes, affiliated leagues other than the Premier Divisions of you can access the various benefits that the ECB provides centrally culminating in the production of a Club Development Plan. the Premier Leagues. New for 2012 is the CCC T20 for all accredited clubs. Individual County Boards may provide further Challenge devised to provide a Sunday competition benefits but it is important to note that these may cost. The four themes are: between local teams in your area. - Duty of Care and Safeguarding Children - The Cricket Programme News Articles Benefits of becoming an ECB Accredited Club: - Knowing your club and its Community – One Game www.club-cricket.co.uk The Conference is privileged to have Charles Randall, - Club Management formerly of the Daily Telegraph, as its principal online • Access to support for pitch and ground maintenance The CCC is an association of some 1,000 clubs news journalist covering cricket news of interest to including County Board Equipment Trailer, Technical Focus Club Status and leagues in the south with a growing bond club cricketers. Specifications, ECB Pitch Advisers, Groundsmanship of collaboration with the Midlands Club Cricket courses/qualifications and Groundsmanship Association To Become a Focus Club you must: Conference and League Cricket Conference, and Representative Cricket • Special deals from ECB sponsors including Sky latterly talks about an alliance with the League The CCC has expanded its representative and touring • Free web site on Play-Cricket.com • Be affiliated to the ECB via your County Cricket Board. Cricketers’ Association. programme last season and this, with the support of • Access to the ECB Club Development Plan online • Work in partnership with ECB, the County Cricket Board, Last year the CCC Board and the Strategy and coach , with tours to Oman and Jersey in resource schools and the community to deliver high quality Development Group proposed a five-year plan to make 2012, and an expanded programme of men’s, women’s • Opportunity to nominate club volunteers for agreed outcomes. the CCC of greater use to clubs. This is being pursued and U21 fixtures with the target level of opposition for recognition via the NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding • Achieve or be committed to achieving and maintaining alongside a far more significant development, one the men’s representative XI being County 2nd XIs. Service to Cricket Awards) ECB Clubmark Accreditation evidencing that you are a as important as any in the CCC’s 100 years, as they • Access to the ECB ‘Safe Hands – Safeguarding Young safe, effective and child friendly club. explore in talks with the ECB a new and far wider Last year ranked as the busiest in the CCC’s history, People in Cricket’ Child Welfare policy and related training • Have a Club Development Plan that has been approved by role in serving clubs and club cricket. It’s a role which working to adapt and energise the Conference for a • Opportunity to achieve Community Amateur Sports Club the County Cricket Board and is reviewed and updated on would be national with a broader range of help for new future. This year promises to be even busier. status (CASC) an annual basis. clubs than now. • Ability to apply for Work Permits for overseas The key goal behind the new role is in collaboration professional players The benefits of becoming a Focus Club: with the Midlands Club Cricket Conference and the • Insurance products at discounted rates through Allianz League Cricket Conference to increase participation, Cornhill via brokers Marshall Wooldridge and Kerry London • Dedicated priority time and support from Cricket spreading into parts of the country where there is no • Opportunity to enter ECB Club Competitions including Development Managers (CDMs), including achieving and current conference type body and also reaching out to the Kingfisher Beer Cup (National Club Knock-out) and maintaining ECB Clubmark. cricket, especially cricket presently untouched by the the Indoor Six-a-Side Competition, both with finals • Additional time and support from County Boards and County game’s main structures. played at Lord’s Sport Partnerships • Access to advice and guidance from the ECB Help • Priority access to the Community Club Grant Aid Programmes Services to Members Desk or from County Boards and Cricket Development through the ECB Single Investment System (SIS) The services to member clubs are increasingly online Managers (CDMs) • Opportunity to be invited to participate in the ‘Chance to including CCC Advisory which is a service to individual • Access to ECB Directives, Regulations and guidance shine’ programme, managed by the Cricket Foundation, to clubs focusing on both administration and playing covering a range of topics including safety, , regenerate competitive cricket in state schools issues from start up issues to those encountered by discipline and club administration • Eligibility to receive Community Club revenue funding Premier League Clubs. The service is as much about • Opportunity to attend District Development Group • Access to ECB Machinery Fund (subject to availability) identifying existing sources of published information meetings • Access to subsidies for ECB Coach Education courses via and guidance as offering bespoke advice to the unique • Access to ECB Officials Association courses for umpires national sponsorship (Sky) or County Boards and priority circumstances of individual member clubs. This service and scorers allocation of places is complemented by a members’ forum. • Access to ECB ‘Best Practice’ case studies • Access to support from Community Sports Coaches • Ability to utilise ECB Job Descriptions covering a variety of employed by the County Board or other partners Online fixture and ground hire bureau key volunteer roles • Potential to be invited to participate in Test Match and The free online fixture bureau is available to all clubs. • As an ECB Accredited Club, you also have the opportunity ODI Interval Demonstrations (depending on International Available fixtures and grounds for hire are publicly of achieving ECB Clubmark and Focus Club Status. Match programme) viewable and a simple registration process enables Action from the Club Cricket Conference

8 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 9 A Word from the Sponsors A Word from the Sponsors EVERYTHING STOPS FOR TEA

Whatever level you play or support cricket at, one thing unites the entire cricket community. Tea. It’s not simply a timely break in play to gather thoughts, review tactics and gain fresh impetus, it’s the chance to quench your thirst and pull yourself together over a good old cuppa. Not just any tea though – for a tradition as important and as quintessentially British as tea at the cricket, it has to be a proper brew.

At Yorkshire Tea, we believe that if you’re going to do something, you should do it properly. No gimmicks, no shortcuts. We just do what we’re good at, which is making tea that delivers a proper brew every time, whichever county you’re in. Now 1886 was a remarkable year, for both cricket and tea. This was not only the year that England won We’ve been supporting local league cricket for over a decade all three tests against Australia, it was also the year that our founder, Charles Taylor, opened his first case of We also believe strongly in fair play. Our tea buyers Coming from a county with such a strong cricketing imported leaf tea. Since then, while England has enjoyed tour the world’s best tea gardens forging sustainable history, it’s perhaps only natural that we’ve always mixed fortunes at the crease, we at Taylors of Harrogate partnerships with tea growers. It’s about mutual felt such a connection to the game. That’s why we’re have stuck at it, perfecting our blends of top quality tea. respect. They’re proud to supply us and, in return, we getting ready to do more to support league cricket This season, Little Urn will be visiting cricket games up The 1970s, however, was a great period for both – this reward them with fair prices. In fact, we’re aiming to across the country. and down the UK was the decade that saw England dominate cricket and help 100% of our suppliers become Rainforest Alliance Throughout the coming season we’ll be getting out and Yorkshire Tea hit the supermarket shelves. certified by 2014. All this means you can enjoy a about in our trusty tea-mobile, Little Urn, visiting league Back then we had no idea our tea would prove so proper brew with the peace of mind that comes from cricket games up and down the UK. To find out more popular. But perhaps it should have been obvious – knowing it’s been grown and sourced in a decent and about what’s in store, keep in touch with us by liking our concentrate on doing things properly, and the rest will responsible way. Facebook page www.facebook.com/yorkshiretea fall into place. But the connection between cricket and Yorkshire Tea or by following us on Twitter @YorkshireTea. Perhaps For us, the key is quality. If you’ve quality running right goes beyond these shared values. And not just because we’ll get to meet you at a game or two – over a proper through, you’ve a real head start. At Taylors we have a our famous illustrated pack has always prominently brew of course! saying: “quality in, quality out”. Simple really. Without featured cricketers - we’ve actually been involved giving too much away about our secret recipe, if you in cricket in one way or another since we started want a top quality brew, you need to put top quality supporting the game at local league level over a decade tea in your tea bags. And to guarantee that quality, all ago. Our tea has been the choice of cricket clubs up and Yorkshire Tea – Gold, Decaffeinated and Hard Water down the county and has lifted spirits, fortified many a included – is eight times tested from harvest to auction team and fuelled some remarkable fightbacks. room to final production. It’s not only the home team that likes a proper brew. Like a good cricket team, it’s also a matter of getting Visiting elevens appreciate the effort that goes into an the right mix. Our tea buyers, for example, taste up to a impressive spread and plenty of Yorkshire Tea flowing thousand cups of tea a day to find the right ones for our certainly helps good conversation and lively banter flow. blends. Strong and malty teas from Assam, bright and It all adds to the cricket experience, whether you’re brisk teas from East Africa - every tea has its own subtle playing or supporting at your club. nuances and we’re constantly striving to find the best What’s more, if you’re in a hard water county like teas available. Middlesex, Surrey or Sussex, we’ve got it covered, as Each pack is eight times tested to ensure top quality Yorkshire Tea for Hard Water is specially blended so you can enjoy a proper brew using hard water too.

10 | Club Cricket 2012 www.yorkshiretea.co.uk www.yorkshiretea.co.uk www.thelca.co.uk | 11 Your Club Your Club

Treasurer Chairman This is one of the more specialist roles on a cricket club committee. The money man or woman looks after all the funds that come into the club through a variety of different avenues, be it fundraising or subscriptions. Treasurers are normally people who work in banking, are accountants or have run their own business with Treasurer Secretary sound financial knowledge. They are responsible for, and have to record, all the transactions that take place and produce receipts and records for all financial goings on. The treasurer will prepare an end of year report that will YOUR CLUB be presented to the committee. Below is a breakdown of the various responsibilities of a Treasurer: Cricket Clubs can be described as many things. They can be a place to play your • Money management – budgets, cash flow Club forecasts, accounts, payments. much loved game, a safe environment for the kids to play, somewhere to meet • Raising funds – including sponsorship, new people or even go some way to help bring the local community together. A fundraising, applying for grants. • Recording and keeping accounts. successfully run club takes a huge amount of time, effort and support. This section • Looking after the liquid assets. will give you an insight into creating a successful and sustainable club that can be • Budgeting accordingly – large amounts of money of great benefit to its members and the local community. enter the club on a seasonal basis so budgeting is essential to ensure a steady cash flow. • To ensure subscriptions are affordable. To ease the process of joining and renewing Running Your Club club towards a long term goal and vision. They will memberships. motivate other members of the club to work together There are a number of roles that need fulfilling at a to move the club forward and will represent the club at Club Captain cricket club to help it run smoothly and successfully. any formal occasion. Cricket clubs need players to exist, Most clubs are run by committees of volunteers, made so a huge part of what a chairman will do will involve Off the field - The role of club captain is one that is up of the current players or supporters who have a recruiting senior and junior members. too often underestimated. Everyone sees the obvious vested interest in the future of the club. Each year Many chairmen see their youth sections being a responsibility of leading the club on the field but the role there will be an AGM to determine the members of the massive driving force in recruiting new senior members. is a great deal more than that. At most clubs the captain committee and discuss various other matters relating If the youth section is in place, thriving and run well will have an active role on the committee and be heavily to the running of the club. Nick Kay, Vice-President of then the senior section is a natural stepping stone! involved in the running of the club alongside the chairman. the Yorkshire league and Secretary at York CC, talks Being extremely well organised is a must with the amount about how they have streamlined their committee Secretary of administration that comes with every game, from with great success: “Our Committee consists of eight reports to phoning results in. Some players may club members. Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Junior The secretary is the first port of call for anyone just think that turning up on a Saturday and playing is easy Chairman, First Team Captain, Chairman of Fundraising, wishing to find out about the club or become a but that is the case because of the tireless efforts of the Club Coach and Child Welfare Officer. This has changed member. They also have to deal with all the current captain way before the rest of the team even get to the in the last 12 months. The Committee used to be much membership and, if affiliated to the ECB, be the link ground! larger but with demands on people’s time, meetings between them and their relevant county board to were never at capacity which made decision making relay any information to their members. The secretary On the field - Being a good leader is clearly a vital difficult. The new structure allows for more regular works closely with the members of the committee, part of captaining any sports team. As cricket is a meetings and eases the decision making process.” most notably the chairman, to ensure the club team sport, but incredibly individually driven, it is hard administration is in place and up to date. work to ensure everyone is happy, and in an amateur Roles needed to run your club As the go-to person on the committee, organisation environment, getting a fair crack of the whip. Although is vital. Club secretary, Chris Goninan from St. Just CC winning is a big part of sport, making sure people enjoy Chairman in Cornwall advises: “Always prepare early and ensure their Saturday afternoons can be a real juggling act. that at times you are prepared to say NO. You cannot A club chairman will chair the meetings of the club’s do everything and sustainability is dependent on many cricket committee. They will formulate and lead the hands at the pump.”

12 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 13 Insure your club under the watchful eye of Extra Cover Insurance Directors and Officers Liability Insurance The increasing trend of large Arson, Theft ExtraCover provide the directors, officers and trustees and Weather related claims makes it more Insurance for Cricket of the club with protection against civil important than ever to ensure your sums Clubs With the ever increasing amount of funding available, • Club buildings or criminal lawsuits and regulatory insured are adequate. Under-Insurance 2012 more clubs are getting state of the art facilities, • Contents/ground machinery, money, glass proceedings. Without this cover members will lead to the total sum insured being including new pavilions and high spec training • Legal expenses are placing their personal assets at risk. The insufficient to meet the costs of rebuilding facilities. These facilities all cost thousands of pounds. cover provides a pool of money that can be and replacing contents/ground machinery. It is vital that your club has adequate insurance to It provides a flexible range of cover designed solely drawn on to fund defence and settlement Ultimately this may lead to the demise of cover every eventuality. For cricket clubs and leagues for cricket clubs and has consistently met the needs of costs and pay for the costs of legal the club Marshall Wooldridge are the official exclusive brokers members for over 30 years. representation at investigations.

for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) known Broker helpline Exclusively arranged by Marshall Wooldridge Ltd marshall wooldridge as the Extracover Insurance Scheme. We also have In the light of many previous challenges and recent Personal Accident cover provides set For expert advice and assistance concerning insurance brokers and independent financial advisers facilities to insure Umpires Associations against their flood damage faced by cricket clubs the ECB are benefits to all members of the club and quotations, arranging cover and settlement risks and liabilities. keen to ensure that all affiliated clubs are adequately whilst serious injuries are thankfully very of claims - contact your ExtraCover team at ECB Insurance Scheme for County Cricket Boards, insured and at the best available rates. rare there have been occasions where a Marshall Wooldridge: Associations and Leagues ExtraCover is the ideal way for cricket clubs to insure player or official have suffered serious 2012 against a wide range of risks - all in one simple policy, Public Liability Insurance covers the Legal Liability damage to their eyesight or even a fatal including: of the Club to pay compensation to members of the accident. Marshall Wooldridge Ltd Insurance Brokers public where bodily injury or damage to their property 14-16 Ivegate • Public Liability with Employers Liability automatically is caused in connection with club activities. Without Self-Employed and other Members who Yeadon included this the cover clubs would be faced with the cost of do not benefit from a workplace sickness Leeds LS19 7RE • Accidents to players and members the award of damages itself. Members of the Club scheme should ensure that any personal Tel: 0800 289301 • Club bags, cups and trophies, non-turf pitches, personally stand to lose their home and assets, so why accident/sickness insurance they have Fax: 0113 239 1296

netting and poles, sightscreens and pitch covers, take the risk? It is a requirement of ECB that all clubs arranged individually includes the playing of Email: [email protected] Exclusively arranged by Marshall Wooldridge Ltd marshall wooldridge bowling machinery transact this important cover. club cricket. Web: www.marshallwooldridge.com insurance brokers and independent financial advisers

14 | Club Cricket 2012 www.marshallwooldridge.com www.marshallwooldridge.com www.thelca.co.uk | 15 Overseas Players

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• CricX is the UK's leading cricket agency and global market leaders. Recruiting players Recruiting players • Officially registered agent with the ECB and PCA.

Case Study – Big Bash, Merstham CC

“As a club we identified that during the tail end of the Benefits to Merstham CC • CricX have placed more cricketers than any other agency on the market. summer, with no junior matches or midweek fixtures • The Club generated over £1000 through the bar and RECRUITING being played, we had some ‘down time’ and decided to the BBQ on match nights use the ‘easy cricket’ concept to introduce new people to • Four of the companies are now supporting and the game of cricket. We decided to stage the ‘August Big helping the club with its pavilion development. • Offer unparalleled access to cricketers, both local and overseas. Bash’, a soft ball, informal festival with weekly fixtures • The club has received enquires from a number of on a Wednesday night, and we invited companies within players about joining the club PLAYERS the local area to come and take part. • Two of the companies booked the club facilities to We decided not to run the festival as a competition play a hardball game against each other • Offer the largest range of cricketers on the market. meaning that we could arrange the fixtures each week to • Two of the companies have used the club for It is not only the cricket committee’s job “I firmly believe the club’s strong team and family meet the strengths and expectations of each of the teams, other sport and social events, and four have made to attract new members but everyone atmosphere is a massive factor in recruiting new with every team playing two games an evening. It was free enquiries players to the club, and because of this, rarely do to enter, and as all the kit was provided. All people had to • Two companies have looked to enter the indoor involved at the club. If the club has an players leave.” do was turn up. In addition to the cricket, the club opened league run by the club. • Our commitment to clubs is unprecedented, contactable round-the-clock. active social section with a fun and Chessington Club Captain Daniel Yarnley the bar and put on a BBQ each night. By the end of the month long festival, we had 6-8 friendly atmosphere then new members Ways to recruit players teams each week with 80 people taking part, including are always going to feel welcome. 16 female players. Amazingly 55 of the players were • Offer a comprehensive, yet personable service. To create a family feel is incredibly • Advertise in local papers – Using contacts at entirely new to the game, while 15 had played before, your local paper can mean that very affordable but not for ages. The feedback from the event was important and that, coupled with a coverage can be accessed by your club and it’s a hugely positive, and this year we intend to start the thriving junior section, can encourage good way of making local people aware that the event in July to get more weeks in.” opportunity to join the club is there. • Unrivalled expertise in recommending clubs the 'right' player. a young family into joining. On field • Partner with other local sports teams – a majority success, although not imperative, will of sports people play more than one sport. always be an attraction; this normally Partnering with one or more local sports clubs can be mutually beneficial both for recruitment goes hand in hand with well-run and and raising finances. organised training nights which again • Make sure the club is friendly and has areas to cater for families. Young players and young can be an enticement for new members families ensure sustainability for years to come. wanting not only to play but improve • Play in an indoor cricket league What clubs have to say about CricX their own game. • Hold non-cricket related events. WHERE SUCCESS “Diligent, committed and prompt communication” THE UK’S LEADING CRICKET AGENCY COMES TO PLAY If your club are seeking an overseas player, then make CricX “CricX provide honest, knowledgeable and reliable communication" your first port of call!

CricX is the UK's leading cricket agency, an ECB registered agency that specialise in the placement of overseas cricketers to league clubs. We were attempting to sign a “Courteous, efficient and an impressive calibre of players” professional through another agent. No other agency rivals the number of cricketers CricX have “ placed. Founded in 2004, CricX have placed over 1,200 Negotiations were protracted. We cricketers to UK clubs, including an industry record 250 in 2011. contacted Cricx one morning and We all know, the prospect of finding an overseas player can be a “A very prompt and efficient service. Strongly recommend using CricX” daunting one. It can be frustrating, time consuming and flooded with before 6pm we had a signed pitfalls. CricX alleviate these issues and ensure finding your clubs contract In our possession. Need overseas player is a quick, easy and stress-free process. we say more! So, if you’re in the market for an overseas player, visit the CricX “Impressive service. The players have exceeded our expectations” website at www.cricx.com and get in touch! Tom Gibson Dunfermline“ CC Merstham’s Big Bash! t: +44 1293 822 266 | m: +44 7809 432 237 | e: [email protected] www.facebook.com/cricketagency 16 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 17 “Delighted with the service. Communication was first class”

“Extremely efficient, responsive and professional”

THE UK’S LEADING CRICKET AGENCY Fundraising Fundraising

ticket templates to the video quiz itself and question and answer sheets! All you need to do is go to www.kingfisherbeer.co.uk and click on the ‘Cricket’ section. Here, you need to fill in the simple registration form and Kingfisher will send you an email with a unique username and password. Then all you need to do is follow the instructions in the email to access Kingfisher’s great quiz content online directly, download and print it off. And Bob’s your uncle, a ready-made, interactive, sports quiz and all the trimmings is yours. Enjoy!

Working with a local University or College - Phil Hudson, 2nd XI FUNDRAISING Captain, Newcastle CC Hosting events such as BBQs and race nights at the club is a fantastic way not only Partnership: Newcastle Cricket Club and Newcastle University to make money but to create a family atmosphere and good team spirit. Agreement: University players play for and are encouraged to join Natwest Cricket Force Fundraiser the club and the 2nds, 3rds and juniors play at the Fundraise with ease University ground when Jesmond (the club’s home ground) The NatWest Cricket Force Fundraiser initiative Within your club with Kingfisher Beer... is in alternative use. Games between the club and University was introduced to keep NatWest Cricket Force alive have been played and have been a great success. throughout the season and help clubs raise the Raising money is one of the most important roles of a With over 150 years heritage, the Fundraiser: necessary funds to undertake projects to improve club committee. Finding the time and voluntary resources support of the hugely successful UB Newcastle University v Northumbria University facilities or for short term need. is sometimes, however, a very difficult task in this day Company and over 33 breweries across The club are extremely experienced in running T20 games Last year’s event was a big success with more than and age. Here are a few ideas on ways in which your India, Kingfisher has firmly cemented its position as India’s No.1 and a Uni v Uni game was proposed and both Unis were double the number of clubs taking part compared to club can raise funds: beer with a significant 54% market share. Celebrating their extremely keen to play against each other. A post exam date 2010. 2011 saw 335 clubs take part raising an estimated 30th year in the UK this year, Kingfisher is proud to be the UK’s was agreed. £324,000 between them, a fantastic achievement by all! Small – £500 most widely available premium Indian draught beer. Marketing the game: • Fantasy Football Joint marketing took place and worked extremely well. The Here are some examples of the events held by clubs to • Raffles Kingfisher has long been associated with the world of sport, best way to reach students is on Facebook we find. Simply raise funds: • Buy-a-Brick as a key partner of the Sahara Force India Formula 1 team to create an Event, and invite a few students, who invite their • Chippingdale Cricket Club, Sussex held a Junior being a key sponsor of five teams in its mates. We also put posters up in the local area/businesses. Cricket tournament over three days and raised an Medium – up to £1000 home market. The brand’s passion for cricket extends widely Two competing official 'after parties' were also set up in a incredible £5,000. • BBQs into the UK, where Kingfisher was key lager sponsor of India’s couple of nightclubs in Newcastle. • Langleybury CC in Hertfordshire marched their way • Race, Karaoke, Poker & Comedy Nights tour last year. Most recently, Kingfisher have signed a three Attendance: to raising £3,000 by holding a club Walk-a-thon. year partnership with the England & Wales Cricket Board as Nearly 1100 students turned up to the day • New Brighton CC in Cheshire took advantage of Large – £1000+ sponsor of the National Championship, renamed the Kingfisher Finances: their location by having a cricket tournament… on • Beer Festivals Beer Cup. In addition to this, Kingfisher has created a great • Cost – we provided Umpires (volunteers), a DJ and the beach! With help from the weather they raised • Cricket Weeks fundraising initiative to help drive important investment back system (volunteer & borrowed) and opened two bars over £2,500. • Golf Days into recreational cricket. and a BBQ. No hard costs at all. • Kimberley Institute CC, Nottinghamshire went • Sponsored Walks, Runs, Swims • Income – Admission = £1,100; Bar and food = international for their fundraising event by holding • Partnerships with local Universities …This is where YOU come in! £4,900; Total = £6000 a Mexican themed evening including fancy dress, Pros: Mexican cuisine and a disco to finish it off. Their Kingfisher have created the ‘Kingfisher Quiz & Curry Night’ • Opportunity to showcase the ground and facilities efforts brought in £400 for the club. fundraising initiative - two great, interactive sports quiz videos • Generated press coverage for the club • Selby CC in Yorkshire had the inventive idea of hosted by Graeme Swann and a number of other familiar faces, Financial gain – the most successful day in the holding a Dung Drop competition. They sold squares to help your club fundraise with ease. history of Newcastle CC in a field, had a cow from a local farm wander Plus, completely downloadable quiz packs which include Cons: round it and then measured where the dung was everything else you need to carry out the best Quiz & Curry • Tidying up after 1000 students deposited. A large number of squares were sold nights your club has ever seen, from handy tips, posters and and the club benefited to the amount of £830 18 | Club Cricket£ 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 19 Funding and Grants FUNDING AND rates and taxes to help ensure that sports clubs are treated fairly and money stays within sport. www.ecb.co.uk • Dickie Bird Foundation - The vision of the Foundation is to assist young people under 18 years of age to GRANTS participate, to the best of their ability, in the sport of their choice irrespective of their social circumstances, culture or Improving facilities is always high on ethnicity and to ensure that, in doing so, they improve their chances both inside and outside sport. every club’s agenda. There are many www.thedickiebirdfoundation.co.uk ways in which clubs can improve their • The Big Lottery – The Big Lottery helps you choose the facilities. Applying for and receiving right grants programme for your project. They give grants from £300 to over £500,000 to organisations ranging from grants is an obvious one and there are small local groups to major national charities. various funding streams available. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk • Fields In Trust - From sports pitches to children’s • Interest free loan scheme for clubs - The scheme is playgrounds, bicycle trails to country parks they make sure open to any ECB affiliated cricket club with a junior section that all kinds of outdoor spaces are safeguarded forever. which has a passion to be part of a modern dynamic sport They protect 1281 spaces all across the UK and with your development programme and is willing to complete, deliver help they can do even more. Their vision is to ensure that and update a simple development plan. Contact your County everyone – young or old, able or disabled and whether Development Manager if you wish to apply for the scheme they live in an urban or rural environment – has access to with a short description of the proposed project and your free, local outdoor spaces for all kinds of sport, play and current status regarding junior development. recreation. - www.fieldsintrust.org • Sport England - Lottery Funding - Sport England is • Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation - Their vision is to committed to the creation of a world-leading community create a society which encourages, enables and celebrates sport environment. This means focusing their investment active women and girls. wsff.org.uk on organisations and projects that will grow and sustain • Sports Aid - SportsAid helps young British sportsmen and participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities women achieve their ambitions by supporting them during for people to excel at their chosen sport. the defining early years of their careers. www.sportengland.org/funding.aspx www.sportsaid.org.uk • Lord’s Taverners - The Lord’s Taverners is a thriving club, • The Coalfields Regeneration Trust - The Trust’s Coalfields the official charity for recreational cricket and the UK’s Community Grants Level 2 programme in England (2011-13) leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. has successfully invested in many projects across the www.lordstaverners.org coalfield target communities. • County Sports partnerships - There are 49 county sports www.coalfields-regen.org.uk partnerships covering England. They are local networks of: • Association of Charitable Foundations - The ACF is the • Local authorities leading membership association for trusts and foundations in • National governing bodies the UK with over 300 members ranging in size from small and • Clubs local grant-makers to some of the world’s largest foundations. • Schools and School Sport Partnerships www.acf.org.uk • Primary care trusts And other local agencies committed to working together to increase participation in sport and physical activity.

They are led by a central team of people whose job it is to provide leadership and co-ordination of the network www.sportengland.org/support__advice/county_sports_ partnerships.aspx • CASC – tax relief - A CASC is a Community Amateur Sports Club registered with HM Revenue & Customs. The CASC scheme was created in order to distinguish between sports clubs and businesses for the purposes of business 20 | Club Cricket 2012 £www.thelca.co.uk | 21 Improving Your Facilities Improving youR facilities With Neal Radford of Radford Ezy Net Once a club has sourced funding there are a variety of ways in which they can spend the money to improve the facilities they have. NatWest Cricket Force: You could be painting sight-screens, tidying grounds, raising funds for projects or even building new pavilions. Each year, thousands of volunteers and NatWest staff help rejuvenate over 1,900 local community grounds ahead of the new season. Plus, on August bank holiday weekend, the scheme help clubs raise money for their facility upgrades with the NatWest Cricket Force Fundraiser weekend. Now in its 10th year, NatWest Cricket Force has grown from just a few clubs in 2001 to a record 1,914 clubs in 2011. With an estimated 85,000 volunteers taking part this year, NatWest Cricket Force makes a real difference to clubs at a community level with thousands of pounds worth of work carried out on their facilities. In 2011 Bognor Regis were selected as not only the Sussex, but the national, showcase for Natwest Cricket Force. Their example of how to use the day is fantastic and really shows how effective it can be, if everyone works together and the project is organised well.

To see full details of the Bognor Regis Natwest Cricket Force day and other case studies please visit www.thelca.co.uk Get along and view the work of volunteers at the 2012 showcase clubs: Merstham CC (Surrey), Heywood CC (Lancs) and Copley CC (W.Yorkshire).

Improve your facilities with the help of Radford Ezy Net

Radford Ezy Net has over 30 years’ experience in the sports industry, offering a vast range of products and systems. Products vary from artificial cricket and safety cushioning, to indoor and outdoor cricket nets and playground matting. Radford Ezy Net won the global tender when they were the approved supplier of cricketing nets to the ICC for the 2007 in the Caribbean and have installed hundreds of systems across the world to date. Providing demountable/portable nets, Radford Ezy Net

22 | Club Cricket 2012 www.radfordezynet.com Improving Your Facilities Perfectly formed from nature’s finest materials…

aim to increase the accessibility whilst preserving the underfoot and allowing them to use their cricket traditional look of a cricketing net. The netting system’s studded boots to bowl in (yes, no tearing of carpets). tensioned, no sag design aims to increase the safety of The artificial grass wickets can last up to 15 years, players and coaches whilst ensuring comfortable player and can be a better solution, when the environment performance when in use. is particularly hostile, to natural grass where there is As “caged systems” are static, they restrict coaches little natural light, lack of water, lack of maintenance and players from utilizing the space effectively as lanes or preparation or issues associated with rain. can only be used for & bowling and basically one With every product manufactured according person at a time. to individual customer needs and circumstances, Radford Ezy Net’s artificial and synthetic surfaces Radford Ezy Net Systems take into account the following: are made to either maximise the number of activities that can be played upon them or to be used quite • They do not believe nets should be in permanent situ, specifically for only one sport. thereby occupying space that potentially could be utilized for other activities/sport Radford’s multi-sport surfaces provide schools, local • They understand the issues of vandalism (due to authorities, sports clubs and other organisations nets being left out) and wear caused by the elements with surfaces that can be used all year round, and and vermin almost immediately after heavy rainfall. All surfaces • They understand the issues faced around maintaining maintain even levels and resist movement in the nets (especially on grass areas) - this involves strimming, playing surface providing playing characteristics cutting, rolling and covering of the net area - a real pain under a range of temperatures and humidity for groundsmen conditions. • They believe cricket net areas should and can be used for other activities, certainly on artificial facilities - warm- ups, fielding drills etc, this cannot be accommodated in a “cage” system • They understand the issues spinners face when attempting to give “flight” to a cricket ball - cage systems do not allow this, balls end up being stuck in/on the roof net • They understand the “health & safety” issues faced when balls struck by the batsman ricochet off the many poles/metal sections (holding up the caged system) into the bowlers path causing injury • They understand the issues of wicket keepers not being able to get into the nets due to the restriction on Scoreboards space behind the stumps - they overcome this as the Radford Ezy Net’s Portable Cricket Scoreboards are back net can be “set aside/peeled off” due to large used by clubs and schools in Australia and across the Velcro attachments that hold side nets to back nets. UK. Either attached or stand alone, the scoreboards They also appreciate that this is a substantial investment are made from weather resist plastic. in netting and it is critical the Club get longevity from their spend. Stumps Radford Ezy Net‘s indoor and outdoor cricket stumps Cricket Surfaces are all inserted into a polyurethane base for ease of Artificial cricket nets to individual cricket wickets transportation and quick return to upright position B e s p o k e T i m B e r F r a m e d B u i l d i n g s are also included in Radford Ezy Net’s cricketing when in use. Available in various colours, all ranges range with the pitches incurring lower maintenance of stumps are wooden to prevent rust and as there costs than conventional turf over the same lifetime. are no springs or metal bars, broken stumps can be They reduce the risk of injury and stress on the easily replaced. They offer a unique single stump for

players, enabling play to continue early after rain, the bowling ends in nets, which can be used as a

and providing forgiving surfaces underfoot and even target stump for all indoor training.

BU IL N bounce. They are the only company in the UK that DIN TIO GS O ISTINC F D offers a unique 3G Artificial surface for the Bowlers Contact EST 1991 ends (no more maintaining of natural grass bowling For more information on services and products please sports pavilions, Clubhouses, pool Houses, Holiday lodges, garden Barns, garages, stables, Workshops, Home offices, Conservatories. ends – groundsmen’s biggest and most costly pain) – visit www.radfordezynet.com or contact Neal Call: 01568 760540, Email: [email protected] giving bowlers a firm level area with greater comfort Radford direct on [email protected] or visit: www.courtyarddesigns.co.uk

24 | Club Cricket 2012 www.radfordezynet.com Youth Cricket Youth Cricket

CASE STUDY: Hedge End Junior CC, Hampshire Formed in 2007 initially based around a group of keen cricketers, Hedge End Junior CC set themselves the huge task of recruiting members. Dave Clouting, YOUTH CRICKET Founder and Chairman of the Club explains: “To attract new players we run cricket taster sessions in local primary and junior schools, run cricket activities at school summer fetes, run activities at local carnivals including handing out leaflets. We also advertise in the local free papers, have formed links with local sports A successfully run junior section can ensure the sustainability of a cricket club for many groups (particularly football) to both recruit youngsters and ensure there are no clashes with training nights, liaise with neighbouring cricket clubs to see if they are oversubscribed or have waiting lists, contact the local council to ask them to advertise the club in their montly publication and finally spark conversation amongst years. The junior section has many benefits, not only to the club itself, but also to the parents to help spread the word.” Hedge End are continuing all of these tasks into 2012 and can now boast a member database of nearly 100 colts and counting. community in which it operates. A large majority of the senior members at a club, over the Investing in professional coaching is also a good way, not only to ensure the developement of your junior members, but to attract children to play at your club. If the training nights are well structured and organised it shows the club is run well. years, would themselves have benefitted from a junior section and all the hard work that went into giving them the opportunity to play cricket and enjoy the game as youngsters. Head and Assistant Coaches: professionally delivered. Raising awareness of the taster A club relies on those very people to give back to the club and invest time and effort into • Work alongside the other club coaches in providing sessions is key and utilising local primary schools is vital the future of the club. A well run and prospering junior section can also go a long way in exciting and safe sessions for junior members for high attendance. securing financial stability for a cricket club. • Lead sessions with support from Coaching Assistants • Liaise with team managers on specific coaching Chance to Shine Process of setting up a requirements • To ensure possible child protection issues are • Mentor new coaches coming into the club, providing The Chance to Shine initiative has been the main vehicle for Junior Section reported / referred appropriately to the ECB and / useful feedback clubs to recruit or attract junior player. See pages 30-31 for or statutory authorities in a timely fashion, and in • Spend time planning each and every session to more information. The first task is to recruit volunteers who are dedicated accordance with ECB procedures provide the maximum benefit to each child and willing to spend time running the junior section Pathway throughout the year. The whole club needs to commit to Training required by ECB: Training required: setting up a junior section as there is far too much work There are many benefits to young players when they join a to be done by just one or two individuals. There are a • A ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’ (SPC) Lead Coach: cricket club and the club has to be prepared to cater for all ages number of roles that need filling to make the section Workshop every three years. ECB Level 2, Level 2.5 with workshops or Club Coach and abilities. With a focus on getting people from the local work: • A ‘Time to Listen’ (TtL) workshop every three years – Awards; CRB; First Aid and Child Protection and area involved in cricket and future loyal members, the club has this is cricket specific. Safeguarding to mix enjoyment with a clear pathway through the club. Colts Coordinator • Organise the managers to run each team on match Assistant Coach: days ECB Level 1 Qualification; CRB; First Aid and Child 1st Team Cricket – The pinnacle of cricket at a club. Juniors should aspire to play here. • Arrange fixtures, catering, umpires and scorers Protection and Safeguarding • Liaise with coaches on training nights • Act as a role model for the young cricketers, If there are people at your club who wish to become instilling sporting values to their game qualified coaches, contact your local county board (p.6). There are a number of courses run throughout the UK. Academy – A stepping stone from Senior Cricket – Many junior to senior cricket. This introduces players can be introduced Child Welfare Officer the players to more detailed skills at a young age to gain • Promote and implement the clubs Safeguarding Structure involving tactical awareness and experience if ready. Children Policy fitness. • Act as a source of advice on current best practice Focus on the younger age groups: and provide support to the Club Management • These are the people that will make up the junior Committee and members of the Club on teams for years to come U13s & U15s teams compete in local, regional and national competitions and safeguarding issues and procedures. • Parents play a large role and will move up the age players are likely to be pushing to make • To attend Club Management Committee meetings groups with their children so involving and encouraging appearances in the senior teams. as a member of the club management committee them to coach and manage teams is essential by right of role and to ensure that safeguarding is a • Hopefully gaining members at a young age will mean mandatory standing item on the committee agenda that they are more likely to stay with the club and • To advise the Management Committee in progress onto playing senior cricket. U11 – Competitive hard ball games to build up contacts with other clubs and establishing which roles within the club require measure the ability levels. the post holder to undertake the ECB CRB Vetting Recruiting Junior Members process and ensure that such CRB applications are completed There are a number of ways in which a club can attract Beginner U9s – Focus on enjoyment • To maintain accurate records and to keep all junior members. One of the main jobs of your local county using soft balls to indoctrinate the documentation in a secure fashion board is to assist you with this. They may be able to basics. offer taster sessions delivered by one of the county’s community coaches which will be cost effective and

26 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 27 Youth Cricket

Cricket Coaching Junior Subscriptions

A successful junior section can go a long way to creating A monthly fee: This is obviously lower but includes financial stability at a cricket club. The money raised more for your membership. It is generally very affordable through junior subscriptions can be ploughed into other and can go as far as including winter coaching as well areas of the club. as summer coaching, match fees and kit. First and foremost the aim is to ensure that all the needs of the junior section are met. This includes providing eg. £15 per month coaches to deliver evening and winter coaching sessions. - Weekly sessions for 1 and a half hours from Oct – Paying coaches to come and deliver specialist sessions can March in an indoor facility. help the long term development of the players and can be - Weekly sessions throughout the summer at the club a very effective way of attracting players from the local ground – outdoor. area. LCA Cricket Coaching are available to give quotes to + Match fees and kit clubs in South East England www.lcacricketcoaching.co.uk.

Match fees - The subscriptions, dependent on cost, can include the cost of the games that the junior members play in.

Kit – A partnership with a local sports shop can significantly reduce the expenditure on club kit. Factoring this into junior subs is essential for budgeting and ensuring that the club looks like a professional outfit on training nights.

Coaching equipment – As the junior section grows, as will the need for equipment. The Lord’s Taverners do help out when first starting a junior section with bags of kit available at a very small cost. Also look at www.mycricketdeal.co.uk

Supporting other areas of the club – If a club has a large junior section then there is likely to be a surplus of money available after the junior section and its needs have been met. The club can invest this money into anything it sees fit. Having extra funds certainly takes the pressure off having to either raise the funds SPECIALIST CLUB COACHING or attract a large number of senior members, which is increasingly difficult. WINTER ACADEMIES SUMMER COURSES Payment – There are a number of ways in which a club can take payment for junior membership. MASTER CLASSES Affordability is a priority as membership needs to be ONEEONNONES available to all people. A one off payment can be made at the beginning of the SCHOOLS COACHING season. This can include all the necessary basics for an individual across a season. Contact us for more information or to arrange a FREE taster session for your club juniors: eg. £50-£70 one off payment - 16 weeks of summer coaching at the club ground – outdoor. + Match fees and kit

www.thelca.co.uk | 29 Chance to Shine Chance to Shine

“I’ve met many amazing people through cricket. I have had some incredible experiences and I hope many more to come! I’m sure that many of you reading this will have similar nostalgia and love for the game. I hope that you’ll donate to help a child that may not otherwise have the opportunity to play cricket. Any amount makes a huge CHANCE TO difference, but just £15 pays for a whole year of Chance Chris Tremlett: Ambassador of the Year 2011 to Shine for one child. Go on - do it now!” England and Surrey fast bowler Chris Tremlett looks back at his cricketing roots – and how he wants you to play a part in cricket’s future. You can donate to Chance to Shine through the LCA Club SHINE “As a professional cricketer, it’s good for me to take a Draw or through the Chance to Shine site at moment to think about where I am and how I managed www.chancetoshine.org to get here. Bringing the benefits of cricket back “I first started playing cricket with my Dad in the to state schools hallway when I was two. With a dad and grandfather The campaign: who were both professional cricketers, the game is in The Cricket Foundation launched Chance to Shine in my blood and I grew up playing cricket. Throughout my May 2005 and set out to bring competitive cricket - and childhood I was tall for my age and with my height I was its educational benefits - back to at least a third of the always going to be a bowler! country’s state schools initially over a ten year period. “I began my cricket education at Otterbourne Primary Now in their sixth year, Chance to Shine recognise the School and Top of the Hill CC, in a village outside of power of cricket to help young people acquire important Winchester in Hampshire, where I learnt the game and skills, values and attitudes for their future lives. The developed as a person. Clubs and schools nearby are campaign does not aim to develop the cricketing stars of now supported by Chance to Shine. Cricket in the area is the future and although it’s possible they might find the now thriving, and I hope that maybe one day we’ll find next or , their main another England cricketer from that area. aim is development through cricket. Chance to Shine is a “Playing cricket isn’t just about becoming the national campaign that relies on corporate and individual best in the world. Some children may go on to play charitable donations. professionally or even for England, but there’s so much To sustain the programme and achieve its target of more to the game than that. Cricket has helped make reaching at least two million state school children by 2015, me the person I am today. I’ve learnt to be disciplined, they need to raise £5million annually. To date, the Cricket to respect my teammates, opponents and umpires. It’s Foundation has raised £23.8 million in funds privately a game that levels you – one day you’re on top of the through individual donors, corporate partnerships, Trusts world and have taken five wickets or scored a hundred, and Foundations. The Government, through Sport England, the next you don’t bowl or are out first ball. It can teach has provided an additional £12.5million funding to support you so many of the skills needed for everyday life. It’s the Chance to Shine campaign. a unique game – highly charged at times, and placid at others. But you can’t go around shouting and swearing How it works: at people. You need to be controlled with your emotions, Chance to Shine is delivered through individual projects and I think that lots of kids can learn so much about working with County Cricket Boards across England and Wales. how to behave in life through cricket. It’s not just about Each project provides a structured coaching and winning, but also about respecting each other, whether competition programme for a group of up to eight primary you win or lose. and secondary state schools. The group of schools is “Chance to Shine is working in nearly 4,000 state supported by professional, qualified coaches engaged by schools. Cricket clubs are selected by their county boards one local cricket club. to be part of Chance to Shine, and those clubs link with Chance to Shine also provides equipment, facility up to eight local state schools (about two-thirds of which development (including playground markings and non-turf are primary). Clubs provide professional coaching for pitches) as well as training for state school teachers and children, as well opportunities for teachers to learn new coaches. Each project is funded for a minimum period coaching skills on the job. of five years and once it’s ended, they work closely with “Since the Chance to Shine campaign launched in schools and clubs to help them sustain cricket activities. 2005, just under one and half million girls and boys They also work on a number of special projects, including have had cricket coaching through Chance to Shine. The StreetChance, MCC Spirit of Cricket, and the hospital charity aims to reach two million children by 2015, but cricket programme. they need your help to make this possible.

30 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 31 Structure of the game Players

! PLAYERS win £25,000 As a player or member of a cricket club you have a responsibility beyond playing. you can There are so many people that sacrifice so much time and effort to ensure the longevity and sustainability of a cricket club. Each player needs to be aware that many other cash prizes... they can really make a difference. Whether it is on match days, helping on junior coaching nights or getting involved and support with managing a team, supporting the Natwest Cricket Force day or any other the cricket fundraising events that the club organises, there are now so many ways in which foundation each and every member of the club can and should help out. If a club is to run successfully every single member needs to offer something more we’ve launched our very own lottery! than just their cricketing prowess.

LCA ClubDraw has two simple aims in mind: To ensure a golden LCA Player of the Year The LCA Player of the Month has been running for two The LCA Player of the Year for 2011 was a closely future for the game by raising funds to discover and develop years. The LCA have focused their attention on the 25 fought battle but after lots of deliberation Alex Smeeth young cricketers - and to give you the fun and excitement of a ECB premier leagues, where each week they select two from Werrington Cricket Club in Cornwall won the players, the highest scorer and the bowler with most award. He had a fantastic year scoring 815 league guaranteed weekly prize draw! wickets, from each league as players of the week. runs at an average of 68 and he took 47 wickets at an Those 50 players then go forward for selection to win average of 26. A mighty fine all-round performance. player of the month and ultimately Player of the Year. The leading run scorers and wicket takers across Join our weekly draw and we’ll give you chances to win cash & prizes that The inaugural LCA Player of the Year in 2010 was Dan the country in 2011 are listed over the page. Woods from York Cricket Club who took an astonishing 82 “Money Can’t Buy” and all whilst you’re making a real contribution to helping league wickets, a phenomenal achievement. “Having had a good year it’s always great to be cricket have a brighter future through our support recognised for it and winning the first ever LCA Player of of The Cricket Foundation ‘Chance To Shine’ the Year was a real treat”, Woods said. 2011 saw some equally impressive performances initiative. Your entry to the draw will help grass roots throughout the country. Dan Woods put up a great fight in cricket whilst giving you chances to win £25,000 an attempt to defend his title with another bumper year for York, taking 80 wickets, but saw some stiff competition cash and those Prizes That Money Can’t Buy! from his fellow tweaker Tom Pringle who took 76 wickets. See more and join today at LCA ClubDraw.co.uk No surprise who won the Yorkshire Premier league! Congratulations to York CC. On the bowling side of things there were some help us to give young cricketers outstanding performances with no less than six players taking all but one wicket in their . The top bowler the chance to shine in the ECB Premier leagues was Burton Latimer’s Waqar - at Chugtai. He returned figures of 10 overs 9 for 15 in lca clubdraw.co.uk their win against Stony Stratford in their clash in the Northamptonshire Premier League. The young Kiwi batsman Joel Abraham led the way with the bat, his 221 for Swardeston in the East Anglian league against Clacton-on-Sea was the highest score in the leagues across the country. Two other players also managed the outstanding feat of scoring a double hundred. They were Kent batsman who blasted 208 for Hartley Country Club and Dominic Sibley who scored 200 exactly for Ashtead in the Surrey Championship.

you must be 16 years or over to play a lottery. *see online the terms & conditions and lottery rules. 32 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 33 Players Structure of the game

ECB Premier League Leading run scorer Runs Leading wicket taker Wickets Birmingham Alex Phillips 922 Johannes Bothma 46 Cheshire Glen Batticciotto 1263 Jimmy Warrington 69 Cornwall Alex Smeeth 815 Kyle van Rooyen 48 Whether you’re serious about cricket or you play Derbyshire Paul Borrington 1463 John Jordison 62 Devon David Lye 791 Glen Querl 60 just for fun, our huge range of quality cricket East Anglia Carl Rogers 1028 Jason Coleman/George Walker 55 equipment means we have something for you. Essex Imran Qadir 880 Bilal Butt 41 Home Counties Jamie Hewitt 806 Luke Ryan 41 Kent Thomas Harvey 856 Steve Rowe 31 Leicestershire Lewis Hill 920 Karl Smith 46 Lincolnshire Sahan Wijerathne 695 Ben Brumby 60 Liverpool James Cole 814 Ashraf Nawab 61 Middlesex Will Prowse 669 55 Northants Alec Swann 939 Paul McMahon 54 North East Shaun Birbeck 726 Ryan Pringle 50 NSSC Daniel Brierley 958 Asad Ali 93 North Wales 1115 Glen Chambers/ Ashley Wood 50 Northern Premier Pieter Malan 1051 Dinuk Hettierachchi 78 Nottingham 993 68 South Wales Cameron Herring 688 Alun Thomas 32 Southern Premier David Taylor 701 Matthew Metcalfe 37 Surrey Muhammed Jaffe 754 Dan Gale 38 Sussex Mark Tomsett 771 Carl Simon 67 Cricket bats Batting gloves Batting pads Wicket keeping West of England Nick Trainer 920 Wayne Kylander 34 pads and gloves Helmets Branded & bespoke teamwear Yorkshire Andy Simpson 1169 Dan Woods 80 Kit bags Footwear Accessories

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website: www.aswanicricket.co.uk Alex Smeeth (left), LCA Player of the Year 2011 email: [email protected] tel: 08456 528 628

34 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 35 Players Structure of the game

The LCA Awards Dinner Players to watch out for in 2012

The LCA awards dinner will be held in Birmingham at Last season there were a number of fantastic the end of the 2012 season. The night promises to be performances by individuals all over the country. a fantastic occasion with up to 500 players and guests The LCA Player of the Year highlights some of those attending. performers from the ECB premier leagues but there Guests will include LCA Ambassadors, members and a are a number of other talented players playing in the number of VIP guests and there is a three course meal hundreds of other leagues. and entertainment throughout the evening. Using the LCA’s social networking channels and other The LCA player of the Year from 2010 and 2011 will be contacts all over the country we have collated our “Ones special guests of the evening and a number of awards to Watch” list for 2012 and their stats from last season. will be given out on the night including the LCA Player of Although there are a number of youngsters in the list the Year for 2012. we have also added a couple of the more experienced players to look out for.

Oliver Wilkin Dan Woods John Rickard Ealing CC York CC Stockton CC Seam bowler and Batsman Left arm spinner Opening batsman 955 runs @ Average = 53 94 wickets @ Average = 13 999 runs @ Average = 38 49 wickets @ Average = 19 50 wickets @ Average = 19

Jonny Kettle Dominic Sibley Nantwich CC Ashtead CC Peterborough Town CC Wicket keeper batsman Off break bowler batsman Off break bowler batsman 1267 runs @ Average = 45 323 runs @ Average = 46 477 runs @ Average = 22 65 catches 5 stumpings 55 wickets @ Average = 26 (pictured below) Conor Young Ollie Makin Chessington CC Norden CC Top order batsman bowler 1506 runs @ Average = 48 33 wickets @ Average = 10 17 wickets @ Average = 20

Luis Reece Leyland CC Left arm seamer batsman 1212 runs @ Average = 52 26 wickets @ Average = 21

36 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 37 MyCricketDeal Kitting yourself out KITTING

Driving the Cricket Economy YOURSELF OUT For the Players: raise funds at clubs, MyCricketDeal, not only gives the Following extensive research carried out by the LCA via club members a chance to save hundreds of pounds on Everybody loves talking about, and its members and contacts in the amateur cricket game, their favourite cricket equipment but also raises much The importance of good fitting MyCricketDeal has been created and launched to offer needed money for their club. getting, new kit. Whether your first bat soft gear with Graeme Swann cricketers around the UK exclusive deals on products was a hand me down or a Christmas and services from within the cricketing industry. For the Industry: As one of the best spin bowlers in the world, it is MyCricketDeal gives businesses in the cricket industry present, everyone remembers that first imperative to Graeme Swann’s game that his fingers are MyCricketDeal will offer a number of deals throughout an opportunity to gain huge exposure to the amateur blade. With the price of kit, especially in good condition. Making sure they are protected when the year to benefit cricketers nationwide as well as cricket market. The effectiveness of marketing with bats, always increasing, it is vitally facing some of the quickest, most hostile bowlers in the having a variety of specific club and school deals. MyCricketDeal can be quantified by a number of new world is a must. and loyal customers. Businesses then have the ability important that you get the right kit to Graeme Swann spoke of the concept: “As a league to sell further products to those new customers in the complement your game. What goes through Swanny’s head when picking cricketer at heart, I truly believe the LCA is the best future. his soft gear? thing to happen to the recreational game. Members This section will give you a run down on can now access deals previously only extended to Not only does a business get to market to their target what the best players in the world look “In the modern era, the kit we use is so advanced that professionals which helps make it easier to turn out for audience but they don’t pay anything for the huge level for when kitting themselves out for the protection from the ball is a given. The main goal for me your club side week in, week out.” of marketing they receive unless they actually generate when I’m batting is to feel comfortable. Making sure my new customers. highest level of cricket. kit fits properly is so important. When I put a new pair For the Clubs: of gloves on I make sure that there is no excess leather Affiliate banners have been created to be placed on For more information about MyCricketDeal, setting your in the middle of my hand, this can cause the bat to move club and league websites. These banners will track any club or league up as an affiliate partner or getting your Picking a bat with Kevin Pietersen about in my grip and cause me to mistime the ball. I like MyCricketDeals bought through the website and be business involved in offering a deal, please contact to make sure that when my fist is clenched, my finger a steady revenue stream throughout the year for that [email protected] “The main thing I look for when choosing a bat, is tips are just touching the end of the glove. club or league. With it being increasingly difficult to and visit www.mycricketdeal.co.uk balance. In my stance and with my grip, I need the bat “As I’m such a whippet between the wickets(!) my to feel part of me. If the balance of my bat is out, then pads have to feel a part of me when I run. I make sure my whole stance can be affected and ultimately be a my pads are done up nice and tight, that they are light deterrent to the way I play my innings. Once I find a bat and that they fit properly. The way I make sure this is the I like, I will stick with that one; I’m not the type of player case, and I did this as a young boy, is to make sure my that uses a different bat every time I play a game.” knee fits on the back of the knee roll.”

Picking a bat for a junior: “It’s so important that the bat is not too heavy. If you have a good technique when you play your shots, coupled with timing, you will get the desired power. Using a bat that is too heavy can create difficulty when playing certain strokes and is sure to affect your performance.”

38 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 39 Kitting yourself out Structure of the game

Guide to picking the right bat size:

Size of bat Length of bat Typical height of player Typical age Size 1 27 inches 4ft - 4ft 3in 4-5 Size 2 28 inches 4ft 3in - 4ft 6in 6-7 Size 3 29 inches 4ft 6in - 4ft 9in 8 Size 4 30 inches 4ft 9in - 4ft 11in 9-10 Size 5 31 inches 4ft 11in - 5ft 2in 10-12 Size 6 32 inches 5ft 2in - 5ft 4in 12-13 Harrow 33 inches 5ft 4in - 5ft 8in 13-15 Short Handle 33.5 inches 5ft 8in - 6ft 4in 15+ Long Handle 34.5 inches 6ft 4in and above 15+

Bowling boots with Chris Tremlett Keeping kit with Paul Nixon

The subject of bowling boots is a tricky one as every Wicket keepers have a reputation for being fairly bowler is different and has different needs when it eccentric characters who always touch and play with comes to their boots. There are two different types of their kit. Depending on the standard that you play at, a bowling boot to select from; the high ankle boot which wicket keeper can be in his kit for hours on end. As Paul traditionally gives more support to the ankle and foot but “Nico” Nixon explains, comfort is absolutely everything: can lead to the ankle becoming dependent on the extra “Over the last 24 years, I have made sure that my protection and cushioning and as a consequence, lead kit, especially my wicket keeping gloves and pads, fit to injury. Or the lower cut boot, which may lack support perfectly. for the ankle, but will be lighter and some bowlers prefer “The pads have to be slim fit, ankle hugging and out this when they are charging in for 20+ overs per day. of the way. They have to be light yet strong enough if Breaking bowling boots in, similar to knocking a bat in, I get hit on them to give me the necessary protection. is vital and prepares your boots and feet for the stresses The arch has to be quite big so they fit low on my foot and strains of bowling. instead of feeling cumbersome sitting high on the shin. As with all kit, picking the correct bowling boots “Wicket keeping gloves should be slightly big, not is something that will come with experience and tight, as you want the cricket ball to feel like a golf ball experimentation. in your normal hand. A straight cut from the little finger Surrey and England bowler, Chris Tremlett said: to the wrist is also important. I prefer the old gloves with “As a bowler, your feet and legs are a big part of padding NOT gel. Gel springs back to the way it was your career. Having the right boots is really important made, it doesn’t mould to your hands, unlike traditional to make sure they are going to give you the right padding.” protection and support. In a season full of games, nets and other practice, you can bowl in excess of 1000 overs. It’s key to have a pair of boots that you feel comfortable in and trust.”

40 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 41 Training Training

INSPIRED TRAINING CRICK T By Iain Brunnschweiler

It is vital that the modern day cricketer October-December gives himself the best chance of succeeding by being as fit and well- You need to give your body a bit of a rest at the end of the season – particularly if you are a fast bowler, but conditioned as possible – and that you can still stay in shape with some low impact fitness means every league cricketer.... not just such as swimming and cycling. As you move through this the pros! So what are the things that phase, it’s a good idea to lay down some base fitness with some running and some basic leg strength – such you can do in training to give yourself as squats and deadlifts. Jump! a fitness workout. You can also make shuttles more fun the best chance of performing your best If you want to maintain or increase your explosive leg by adding some catching at the end of each sprint, and power – you need to jump! Start doing some two-footed the pressure of a race – try ‘Relay Catching’ drill from AND staying injury free? January-March jumping exercises, then you can load it up by holding a the manual (see picture above). dumbbell in two hands, hanging between your legs... Ok, time to burn of the Xmas excesses and get training squat down then jump as high as you can and keep Hopefully these few hints will have given you some hard. Start doing some interval running but keep the your chest facing forward and your arms straight, ideas, and underlined that fitness doesn’t always have intervals longer – try five x 400m (2min between each whilst shrugging your shoulders up during the jumping to be the same boring things. Also it is important to one) with a warm up and cool down run before and after. movement. Try four sets of four reps of these jumps – realise that different players will need different areas As you go through the phase bring this down to ten x remember to cushion your landing by bending your legs, to work on, but in general, all cricketers need good 100m (1min between each one) by March, you can adapt and take a few seconds to re-set between each jump. baselines of all areas of fitness and to be good athletes. these figures depending on your personal fitness level. Progress this on to doing one leg at a time holding a The below gives some ideas on the specific areas that Carry on with the leg strength on non-running days, but dumbbell in each hand. may need attention: introduce lunges, split squats (one foot back one foot forward) and single leg squats, so that you are getting Bowlers Fast bowlers – Leg strength & power, core stability, some balance and core stability into the training. Try to Maintain your leg strength and core stability at the interval running stamina, flexibility challenge your core with some Swiss Ball exercises too same time by performing strength drills that require Batsmen – Speed & agility, upper body & trunk strength – remembering to work the front, back and side muscles! some balance – eg. Split Squats with your back foot on & power. a bench, Single leg squats holding the bar above your Wicket-keepers – Speed, agility, leg strength & April-September head, alternate leg lunges with the bar above your head power. (see picture left). Season’s nearly here – time to get as ‘functional’ as Maintaining your fitness during the summer need NB: If you are going to perform any exercises with possible. Batsmen start running sets of 20m shuttles not be boring – so why not incorporate some drills and weights in a gym make sure you have been fully trained in sets of 1’s, 2’s and 3’s, up to a pre-defined total e.g. games that will keep you fit and also be competitive by a health/exercise professional to make sure your total runs 40 (see if you can score a hundred before the and give you some fun at the same time. Set up fielding technique is good enough to bear a load. season!), bowlers run sets of six x 40m intervals with races whereby half the team are batsmen and half a slow walk back in between. Start with one set and fielders – see if the batsmen can run a 2 before you get For loads more great training drills, games & increase to more sets with a break in between. ‘Keepers the ball back. Change the distance and see if they can challenges and tips from the pros, get your copy of can join the batters running, and also do sets of five fast run a 3. Even catching can be a workout if you have to the inspired cricket manual direct from bodyweight squats followed by a 10m sprint – see how run 20-30m for each catch, and have to take 10 in a row! www.Inspiredcricket.com or check out the website many sets you can do each time! Tag these simple drills See ‘Pairs high Catching’ online at www.thelca.co.uk for for lots of ideas onto your skills training for added fitness.

42 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 43 Nutritional Advice Structure of the game NUTRITIONAL ADVICE

If you are going to be training hard Snacks in the gym, at training sessions, and If you can, keep topping up with jaffa cakes/jelly Cover Type Bronze Silver Gold Platinum beans/cereal bars or fruit (bananas are great as they Territorial Limits UK UK UK UK have a busy playing schedule then you Cricket Equipment come in their own packaging so you can store them £300 £500 £1,000 £1,500 (theft, loss, damage) on the !) and keep topping up the fluids! If are going to need to re-fuel yourself Personal Liability 2m 2m 5m 5m possible a sports drink or two and water. FACT – some properly. And this means both in terms Personal Accident £10,000 £15,000 £25,000 £25,000 sportspeople have been shown to sweat up to two litres of your food intake, and also your fluid an hour when performing! Broken Bones £200 £300 £400 £500 Accidental Damage to £1,000 £1,500 £2,500 £3,000 intake – nutrition and hydration are two Third Party Property of the three ‘Pillars of Recovery’, with Lunch/Tea Personal Effects - £125 £250 £350 Try to take in something that’s appropriate to the stage of Baggage, Personal good quality sleep being the third. the game – if you are rushing back out, keep it light and Possessions & Trophies - £125 £250 £350 digestible, or maybe even a carbohydrate/protein shake. (theft, loss, damage) If you have got a bit more time, try to get a suitable plate Dental Treatment - £300 £500 £500 Hospitalisation If you do have a busy training and playing schedule, then of food that meets the “third of a plate” guidelines! (per day) - £30 £30 £30 you are likely to be breaking down more muscle tissue Equipment Hire £100 £150 £200 £200 through exercise than the normal sedentary human, Straight after performance (in the event of loss/theft) Club Membership Fee which means you need a bit more protein in your diet This is the best time to get some carbs and protein back £200 £300 £500 £500 to help build the muscles back up. The simplest way into the body – either a recovery shake or a chicken Reimbursement to think about nutrition, is the third of a plate theory – sandwich and some fruit – not forgetting the fluids. If no Cricket Achievement* £100 £150 £175 £200 meaning that you should try to get a third of your plate substantial food is available then you can still use the Annual Premium £24.99 £29.99 £34.99 £39.99 Optional Cover as a decent lean source of protein (eg. chicken/turkey snacks mentioned earlier to help aid recovery. £8 £8 £8 £8 breast, fish, prawns) a third carbohydrate (e.g. pasta, Worldwide Extension *Bowling hat-trick, 200 runs in one innings, 10 wickets in one innings, 6 x 6’s in one rice, potato) and a third vegetables or salad (preferably a over, 10 catches in one innings variety of colours for different sources of goodness!). Nutritional Don’ts If you are trying to stay a lean, well-conditioned 24 hours before the match cricketer, then avoid high fat foods such as cheese, Try to get several good meals in which comply with chocolate and crisps, as well as creamy/cheesy sauces. Cricket can be a dangerous game. We’ve all heard the stories 10 wickets, six 6’s or 10 catches in an innings we’ll give you up the ‘third of a plate’ rule, in order to give you a store of If you are well-prepared you can always have your own of someone being injured, broken bones, a car being damaged to £200 to cover your bar-bill so you can really celebrate in style carbohydrate and protein. Have at least 2-3 litres of fluid healthy snacks at hand to make sure you are turning the after being hit with a ball or expensive cricket equipment being with all your team mates! during the day. 60’s and 70’s into 100’s, and the 3-fers into 5-fers! stolen from the clubhouse. We are also living in a very litigious society so that next ‘bouncer’ or ball landing in the car park Cricket Care is a specialist cricket insurance policy designed could cause serious damage and you could be held liable for to protect the amateur player against such eventualities and Morning of the match any damage or injury caused. The financial implications of such with policies from just £24.99 a year it’s a very small price to Have some cereal or porridge with some fruit (porridge an incident cannot be ignored. pay for total peace of mind. with banana and blueberries and a drizzle of honey is A Cricket Care policy is not just about protecting you against So don’t take the risk. Get yourself and your equipment a favourite!), or some poached eggs on toast. Keep the the bad news. We have also included a ‘Cricket Achievement protected today. For instant cover either apply online at fluid coming – half water half orange juice is a great Award’ so should you get a bowling hat-trick, 200 runs, www.cricketcare.co.uk or call Freephone: 0800 093 1883 drink. Prior to the start For Instant Cover Take on more fluid – possibly a sports drink (or more or call: half water/half orange juice which is an equivalent), and APPLY ONLINE 0800 093 1883 some easily digestible snacks such as jaffa cakes/jelly beans if you’re heading out to perform straight away.

Cricket Care is a trading name of JRW Group Services Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Policy terms and conditions apply. Policy wording is available on request. 44 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 45 Injury Prevention INJURY PREVENTION Next generation training aids By Michael Main, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Hampshire CCC Maximise your potential

Nowadays cricketers are more susceptible fielding. Additionally, static stretching after finishing M: +44(0)7867 786 242 E: [email protected] W: www.fusionsports.co.uk to many injuries. Elite cricketers are a game will help prevent playing related tightness Fusion Sports produces next generation training aids and finest hand made cricket bats. which long term will decrease an athlete’s flexibility as expected to train longer, harder, and earlier opposed to maintaining or improving. Our products are used by club players and leading international coaches alike. in life to excel in their chosen sport. The Important areas for specific stretching – Quadriceps, Hip-flexors, Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes, Chest/ Call us and quote “FUSION 167 DIS” for great savings on our products. repetitive nature of the game and the need Pectorals, Shoulders and Lower/Upper Back. often to be out on the field of play for long periods further predispose all cricketers to Physical Preparation: See p.42-43 a wide range of injuries. Injury can occur during any phase of the game - bowling, Recovery: Within sport it is well documented that in a fatigued batting or fielding - and can involve any state physically/mentally a player is at a higher risk part of the body. of picking up an injury. This can be due to not reacting fast enough (mental) or exerting a muscle when Injury in sport can be defined as “acute trauma or fatigued meaning it cannot function to the level needed repetitive stress associated with athletic activities”. therefore causing damage (physical). Specific to cricket, this can range from bowling over It is important, especially in cricket where games can after over in a short period or being struck by the ball in last upwards of eight hours in a single day, that players the field or whilst batting. Many injuries such as muscle rest and recover. By this I mean relax post-game, eat strains and joint sprains are seen as preventable and hydrate adequately and sleep well. This gives with the right physical preparation. Here are four you the best chance to be ready for play the following manageable strategies to help prevent common injuries day or the next training session or match you have associated with cricket. scheduled. If this is neglected you place yourself at higher risk of picking up an injury due to being in a state Flexibility: of fatigue. An area which is widely discussed in the field of team sport is flexibility. Good flexibility directly contributes Warm Up: towards performance and the prevention of injury. Often This is a vital component before any day’s play and you will hear players mention how a lack of stretching must prepare you to the level of which the game has caused them to sustain a muscular injury during is played. In cricket this is maximally with regular their performance. The fact of the matter is that the throwing actions, sprints, jumps and bowling which importance put on flexibility is insufficient especially at are all maximal in nature. The aim of a warm up non-elite level. should be to build intensity to that of a game and Research suggests a lack of flexibility increases a work major muscle groups and joints associated with player’s likelihood of sustaining a muscular strain injury. the movement completed in a match e.g. jumping, It is important for coaches/players to ensure match day throwing, squatting, lunging and running. It is important warm up includes dynamic stretching before the start to note that warm ups should also work up in intensity of play and also the importance of continuing those starting quite low and gradually increasing. stretches during the day’s play e.g. when in the field. Pulse Raising, Mobility/Flexibility, Skill Specific It will place players in a much better position when (Throwing, Catching), Movement Specific (Squat, Lunge having to make a 30m sprint or dive for a catch if their – On the Move) and finally some higher intensity work bodies are still prepared two hours into a long day would make for a good model to follow.

M: +44(0)7867 786 242 E: [email protected] W: www.fusionsports.co.uk 46 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 47 ADVERTORIAL Coaching

CRICKET COACHING MATTERS! Improve the way your youngsters bat, with COACHING a Cricket Coaching Mat. How to teach the wide range of cricket skills to the large From a parent’s point of view, you will probably be keen to numbers of youngsters who turn up to your junior nights see your child develop quickly and perhaps move up the every week is an age old conundrum that was waiting to be , score that first 50 or hundred and make the solved. Until now that is! The method described by coaches District or County age group side? The Cricket Coaching Mat The ECB Coaches Association (ECB CA) To find out about becoming a coach contact your local as a godsend and used by over 1000 UK clubs is the Cricket is also designed to be used by youngsters to practise their performs a key role in supporting the county board. These are found on page 6. Coaching Mat. shots at home. They can be set up in the garden or driveway The Coaching Mat is designed to give youngsters the time and by watching the 16 coaching clips on their laptops or ECB’s Coach Education and Development “Coaching is a great way to express your passion for and opportunity to improve their batting, bowling and fielding smart phones, your child can improve their batting and go on programmes and its member coaches. cricket and be actively involved instead of standing on the skills on a perfect surface and in a fun way. to play those match winning innings. boundary edge. It is not only exciting and self-satisfying Do you ever find wayward bowling restricts the progress Junior team managers and coaches say the coaching mats but you can have a positive influence on people’s lifelong of young batsmen? Bowlers often find it difficult to put the are “superb” or the “best thing they have ever bought for The ECB CA provides a range of high quality membership involvement in cricket. It will also help you to keep active, ball in the right areas consistently to enable the batsman their juniors” and that the results have been “staggering, services and an infrastructure of local County Board both mentally and physically. to practise their shots, thus reducing the effect of your stunning, amazing, brilliant, excellent and fantastic” Coaches Associations which take responsibility for, There are many ways in which you can get involved, coaching time. At less than £200, how can your junior sides afford to be on behalf of the ECB, the organisation, delivery and such as helping your local club, getting involved in your To overcome these difficulties, the Coaching Mat provides without one? assessment of the key elements of the ECB’s Coach children’s sporting activities or even helping to support the a simple, effective batting space together with a set of Education and Development Programmes. next elite cricket star!” - Sam Lavery, Level 3 Cricket Coach. flexible tees (five different heights in all) on which to practice Don’t get caught behind the others and order your coaching all the shots. These can range from front foot cover drives, mats today, direct from the website on drives and sweeps, to back foot square cuts, pulls and www.cricketcoachingmats.com drives (plus the full range of defensive strokes). A set of six The Cricket Coaches Pathway footprints are provided and these are used to get the person’s Further information on www.youtube.com and on Facebook, The ECB runs a National Coaching Scheme, which is feet into the correct positions for both batting and bowling. by searching for “Cricket Coaching Mat”. designed to equip coaches with the necessary skills to The tees are placed from beneath the mat into one of 39 Follow on twitter: david cooper @cricketcoaching deliver high quality coaching programmes at all levels of carefully positioned holes. This means they always stay in the game. place, thus saving you a massive amount of time and trouble. Up to and including Level 3 of this scheme is managed The youngster can then play each shot over 100 times in just by Tim Lumb from the ECB Community Coach Education a 10 minute period thereby “grooving” their memory muscles. Office at Edgbaston. Level 4 and above is managed by They will then be equipped to hammer the bowling to Gordon Lord, ECB’s Head of Elite Coach Development. all corners of the ground, scoring more runs than you ever imagined capable, and winning matches and league titles for your club. A constant supply chain of future first team players is now established.

T: 07986 234 489 E:[email protected] www.thelca.co.uk | 49 Structure of the game

Coach Award The role of the ECB Coach Award (UKCC 2) holder is to Save money on your utilities with our specialist be able to “Prepare for, deliver and review coaching • sessions” This course will help you to be able to: broker service • Introduce and develop the game of cricket to people of all ages in a fun and enjoyable way. • Develop FUNdaMENTAL movement skills. • Save your club or business money now • Develop and improve players (as people as well as cricketers) particularly at FUNdaMENTAL and L2T and in the future! stages of the LTAD model. • Develop your coaching skills, knowledge and qualities Free impartial advice and we won’t be beaten • Demonstrate competence against UKCC2/National • Standard for coaches on price!

Club Coach Award Cricket Young Leaders The ECB Club Coach qualification is designed for Business Energy Direct We also offer a troubleshooting Target Audience: 14-18 year olds coaches working in club and school environments who The aim of the Cricket Young Leaders Award is to raise have access and responsibility for the development of are independent energy brokers with service and have recovered more than the profile of cricket within a Young Leadership role, players in addition to improving and driving forward their inspire Young Leaders to get actively involved with coaching skills. more than 10 years experience in £1.3 million for clients by reducing cricket and help provide additional support for Kwik the utility industry. We are an ECB account balances and recovering Cricket tournaments. approved supplier and can help clubs The Performance Coaching Course overpayments. The ECB Performance Coaching Course is the evolution and associated businesses of all sizes, Get Involved Certificate of the existing ECB UKCC3 Head Coach Coaching save money on energy costs. Once a candidate has completed 10 hours of voluntary Course which has been delivered since 2007.This new The average contract saving per time, the individual can choose to receive a ‘Get Course has been designed specifically to meet the Involved’ certificate, which can then be used for needs of coaches working with performance players We will obtain the best possible price club is currently £1192.00 evidence in logging volunteer hours for a range of in performance environments. The aim of the course for your energy contracts. We provide volunteer and sports leadership awards e.g. Duke of focuses on developing and equipping coaches with the NatWest Cricket Force registered clubs Edinburgh Award scheme, CSLA, JSLA. knowledge, skills and thinking to work effectively with first class award winning customer the most talented young players and adult cricketers service and have saved millions of qualify for our cash back scheme upon and teams. Coaches who primarily work in recreational Coaching assistant playing environments and who do not meet the criteria pounds for thousands of customers. successful contract arrangement. The course is aimed at beginner coaches who will for this course will now be supported through other be able to ‘assist more qualified coaches, delivering coach education pathways available after September aspects of coaching sessions, normally under direct 2012. supervision’. Don’t pay more than you need to - Contact us now! This role may include running warm ups, cool downs, Level IV small sided games and small group work. The course is For coaches who currently work or aspire to work Tel: 01709 578999 • Mobile: 07799 065709 • [email protected] essentially designed for parents and volunteers starting in the High Performance enviornment, who have a on the coaching pathway. demonstrable track record of success and have achieved The course will help coaches prepare for, deliver and high grade passes at Level III. review cricket coaching sessions. It will enable them to: • County Coaches 1st and 2nd XI • introduce and develop the game of cricket to people • Academy Directors of all ages in a safe and enjoyable way. • National Coaches • develop and improve players (as people as well as • Specialist Coaches cricketers). • Lord’s Taverners Scholars where appropriate • develop coaching skills, knowledge and qualities. • demonstrate competence against UKCC/National standards for coaches. Awards The programme consists of four three-hour modules and To nominate an outstanding coach at your club, please a final assessment visit www.ecbca.co.uk “Prices and service to bowl you over”

50 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 51 Officials OFFICIALS

Playing cricket isn’t for everyone. The Officiating in cricket can open a number of doors and present some incredible opportunities. You will meet a beauty of this game, and a cricket club number of fascinating people and may get the chance to itself, is that with so many different travel the globe. areas, there is almost certainly “While I have been extremely lucky to have had the something for everyone. There are opportunity to score in some fantastic places, from the over 600,000 people playing cricket Channel Islands to New Zealand, the major benefits have been a growing involvement in cricket, making at over 8,000 clubs in the UK. Hosting some fantastic friends and enjoying an excellent social a cricket match takes a lot of effort, life within the game.” Emma Busk, Level 2 and ICC as does playing. Equally, officiating is International Scorer. hard work and sometimes we forget The Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) function via a what an important job the cricket Governing Board and work through the regions via the county boards who have the direct link with each individual officials do. member. Whatever the level you are looking for, the association will involve and represent you and it is then For both Scorers and Umpires there are clear up to you which courses you take and how fast or slow pathways through from beginner to first class level, you choose to progress. ACO operate as an independent depending on your aspirations. As with playing and association with the support of the ECB. coaching there are many areas where you can find guidance. More and more schools now offer the “If you just wish to umpire at your son’s school or score chance for students to not only play, but also learn for your local village team, you are as vital to the game about, and gain qualifications in officiating with the and to us as any first class or county official, and so we Young Official courses. welcome you warmly and wholeheartedly.” ECB ACO

Entry Points Entry Points Level 1A Level 2 certificate ECB ACO Education and Supported certificate + CPD workshops performance + nomination to Development for SCORERS RSO

Level 1A Introductory Level 1 Course Verification of Level 2 Course Performance best practice, Performance Performance Level 3 Course 14 – 16 hours - performance - Techniques - 2- 3 hours + Observation and Observation and Practices Observation Multi-day Workshop Assessment Assessment experience Assessment + Assessment programme = Coaching = Coaching Scorer portfolio Coaching County ECB ACO Mentoring ECB ACO Mentoring ECB ACO Mentoring ECB ACO Certificate of Level 1 Level 1A Level 2 Level 3 Attendance Certificate Certificate Certificate Certificate

Continuous Professional Development Entry Points Entry Points No prior Level 1 (CPD workshops) experience certificate 1. Other methods of Scoring – Linear required + match experience 2. Duckworth - Lewis www.marshallwooldridge.com 52 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 53 Structure of the game

The Association of Cricketing Officials Directives

A simple clear mission - to develop competent umpires and scorers to control and guide cricket matches at every level ‘From Playground to Test Arena’

The strength of history and dedication – we build on the decades of work and success that previous organisations have established and welcome their support both as members and also as executives of the ACO.

Our guarantee of effort on your behalf - working through the regions to each county board, so that you are supported and represented by them to enable your individual voice and views to be expressed to them and heard by us.

Your desire - to want to be involved, to make a difference, to add to the enjoyment of the playing of the game

The commitment from us of an established and efficient ‘pathway’ - to enable you to progress at whatever pace you prefer and to whatever level you wish

Our mutual success - if you are good at what you do and have the respect of the players and your colleagues, then we too have succeeded by getting you there.

Entry Points Level 2 certificate + County grading + nomination ECB ACO Education and Level 2 Level 3 to RPO Supported Development Performance programme Performance programme for Umpires - - Observation Fieldcraft and Observation Multi-day Assessment Level 1A Techniques Assessment programme Introductory Level 1 Course Coaching Verification of programme Coaching Course Mentoring best practice, Performance Mentoring ECB ACO 14 – 16 hours performance - ECB ACO Level 3 2- 4 hours + and Observation Level 2 Certificate Workshop Assessment experience. Assessment Certificate = = Coaching County ECB ACO ECB ACO Mentoring Level 2 Level 3 Course Certificate of Level 1 Level 1A Course (available 2014) Attendance Certificate Certificate Fieldcraft and Techniques Multi-day programme programme

Entry Points Entry Points County County Level 1 No prior Certificate Certificate experience certificate required + match experience

Entry Points Entry Points Level 1A Level 2 or 2C certificate + certificate + performance performance

54 | Club Cricket 2012 Groundsmen Groundsmen GROUNDSMEN By David Hodgson - www.hodgygroundsman.blogspot.com

Cricket wickets can cause all kinds of then return down the same line so as to avoid striping. Reading a pitch confusion whether it be playing on, Depending on how much grass is on to start with, aim to get it down to around ½ inch on your first day. Rake out preparing or being able to read one. To in order to clear rubbish built up at the base; this action Even the experts, so to speak, can get this one do any of these things you need skill will thin the grass and lift horizontal growth. Finally, wrong. Reading a pitch is a skill in itself and can and experience. A groundsman needs mow again. have a large impact on the outcome of a match. specialist skills to create a good quality It may be that the pitch is dry and needs watering; if so, The first thing you will notice, even from the fair playing surface and, over time, you should aim to get moisture down to a depth of about boundary, is the colour. If the pitch is green, you can one inch. When the pitch has been moistened to about generally expect the seamers to do well. You can players build up experience that assist that depth and the surface is now damp, start to roll. have a green, dry, firm pitch which will be fast and them in being able to read a wicket. Rolling should be carried out daily for about half an hour, mean the ball will come on to the bat but there will along with more mowing and, if needed, more raking. be a little movement off the seam. Or you can have Do not roll a completely dry pitch: it will crumble and a green, wet wicket where the ball moves off the eventually turn to dust. The final cut should be around seam and holds up, or even climbs steeply. 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch. What you are looking for is a clean, dry, hard surface by the time match day arrives. If you feel a wicket with the palm of your hand at the Mark out with lines no more than one-inch thick on the start of a game, and it feels cold, then this indicates morning of play, or the night before. If you’re doing this that there is moisture in the wicket. The skill is to on the morning, allow time for the markings to dry before judge what effect this will have and for how long. the players arrive. When you, as a batter, get out to the middle, look for a dry consolidated pitch, not just on the surface but to a Bowlers can - and sometimes do - run on to the The effect of different preparations depth. You can assess the pitch by gently tapping the protected area without attracting an umpire’s attention, surface with the base of your bat, and, as you become in which case that area would eventually respond to on the playability of a pitch more experienced, you should be able to tell quickly spin. whether it is firm or not. Leaving a little more grass on a pitch will cause the ball If at the start of play the pitch is wet or damp and the to zip off the surface and create a little extra pace. On a very hot day, a straw-coloured pitch with little weather is sunny, it will dry out. The drying process will grass left on it will aid the spinners. This is because with be accelerated when the opportunity arises to apply the Taking off more grass will expose more soil and allow more soil being exposed the ball will grip and turn. roller at the change of innings. It will, as we say, “flatten the ball to grip the surface more and assist the spinners. out” and play more consistently in the second innings. Thatch was mentioned in the previous section. You can A damp green pitch will predominantly assist the tell if thatch is present by pushing your bat down on to For matches of longer duration, the thing to consider seam bowlers. As it might play unpredictably at times, the playing surface; if the response is spongy, that is is the wear caused to the pitch. Over a period of time, spinners may also benefit. evidence of thatch and it will be difficult to calculate batters and bowlers, together with the use of the roller Basic preparation of your pitch how the pitch will play. between innings, take their toll on the pitch. The surface Under-rolled pitches or pitches with thatch in the surface loosens and becomes dusty, and this, of course, is where during the season tend to be slow, low and can be dangerous when wet. the spinners really come into their own. Deterioration of the pitch When preparing a pitch start between five to ten days Over-rolled pitches, especially when dry, will crumble prior to the match, depending on the standard of cricket and break up and help the spinners. during a match to be played. String the edges of the pitch, which should be 10 feet wide. This process gives a mowing guide If a pitch is well-prepared and dry at the start of the to help you maintain straight edges and achieve a fine match, then, in a 100 over game with no weather presentation. Using your fine cut pitch mower, work interruptions, the pitch should be pretty consistent along the pitch mowing in a line, stump to stump, and throughout.

56 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 57 Structure of the game Women’s Cricket

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In 1926 women’s cricket was given a voice through ECB and Women’s Cricket a newly formed association known as The Women’s Cricket Association (WCA). Their aims were to Since ECB took over the responsibility for women’s cricket, www.electroniccricketscoreboards.co.uk provide women with the opportunity to play cricket, more resource and funding has allowed women’s cricket to or e-mail [email protected] both locally and internationally. flourish. Call 01572 757300 twitter www.twitter.com/durantcricket 58 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 59 Prices correct at time of going to press and excludes delivery & installation. Women’s Cricket Structure of the game

Club Cricket Schools Cricket

• 565 clubs are currently involved in women’s and / or • Girls are being introduced to cricket in primary and girls cricket (2011 year end figure). This means they secondary schools, mainly due to the Cricket Foundation’s have sufficient girls or women at the club to play Chance to Shine programme which is sponsored by Brit competitions at either junior (U11 – U15) or senior Insurance women’s cricket • In 2011 there were over 156,000 girls given the • This figure means there is 1 exit route in every 10 opportunity to try cricket cricket clubs nationally for women and / or girls • In 2008 in conjunction with ECB, the Cricket Foundation • Since 2003 the number of clubs involved has increased employed eight of the current England Women’s Cricketers by over 500% into Ambassador roles – seven of these still exist and • We know that the 425 clubs with a junior girls section promote and support the growth of women’s cricket predominantly have girls who play at the U13 and U11 nationally age groups • Like the outdoor club competition, since 2008 ECB in • There are currently 308 clubs who play women’s conjunction with The Lady Taverners have run U13 and U15 cricket schools tournaments for girls. There have been over 3,500 • There are now 26 counties that have competitions for teams take part girls throughout the summer • For primary schools, Asda Kwik Cricket has supported girls • There are 33 women’s leagues nationally only competitions and over 10,300 teams have taken part. • There are four top Regional Leagues (North Women’s League, Midlands Women’s League, South West Plans for the future Women’s League and the Women’s Cricket South League) – which compete at the end of the year to Although we have seen increases in activity for women’s become National Club Champions and girls cricket there is still much more work to do – from • Since 2006, ECB in conjunction with The Lady now until 2015 these are the priority areas: Taverners have run a club outdoor national girls competition which has seen over 2,500 teams enter • Working with clubs and counties – changing perceptions • At the end of 2011 there were 17,000 girls and 4,700 about women’s and girls cricket – making it easier to set women club members sections up and make cricket more accessible • Increasing the number of clubs with a women’s and / or girls section – by 2015 target is 752 clubs • Increasing the memberships of clubs – target of 22,000 girls and 7,000 women playing over the next 24 months • Getting more girls inspired in schools and transferring into cricket clubs • Retaining girls who are playing aged 16+, keeping them in

Clubs involved the game 93 322 419 505 522 565 • Increasing the number of female only competitions • Introducing new and existing participants to different 2003 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 versions of the game (indoor, softball, T20 etc…) The diagram below shows where there are clubs for • Increasing the number of female role models – players, women’s and / or girls cricket officials and coaches • Increasing the number of coaches, officials and volunteers; male or female into women’s and girls cricket.

How to get involved

If you or your cricket club would like further information about women’s cricket, you can use the following contact details:

• ECB – Women’s Development Manager – Sue Redfern – [email protected] • Your local County Cricket Board will have a main contact for Women’s cricket

60 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 61 2011 Competition Round-Up 2011 Competition Round-Up

by captain Ed Foster, chased down a testing Cambridge Barnard still left Shrewsbury needing 10 from the last Granta target to win by three wickets with two balls over, but crucially Ed Foster, who had remained calm remaining. throughout the innings, had the strike for the final over. 2011 COMPETITION Shrewsbury, who appeared to have the majority of Foster, appearing to be the calmest man in Derby, struck the crowd supporting them, won the toss and elected to a boundary and then two runs before hitting the winning bowl in overcast conditions. Cambridge Granta, who lost boundary to see his team home with two balls and three opener Douglas Rice for 10 early in the innings, made wickets to spare, with a match winning 98 not out off slow but steady progress before the captain and other 124 balls. ROUND-UP opening batsman Jason Coleman, who shone with bat Ed Foster was named man of the match and and ball in their semi-final win over Ealing, picked out Shrewsbury won the title for the first time since 1983 to Mike Barnard at long off from the bowling of Rob Foster take the trophy back to Shropshire. for 28. This brought Craig Park to the crease and the run rate suddenly increased with some explosive hitting from There are a number of competitions Chester-le-Street’s batting improved slightly in the Park and Alex Fullarton. The partnership put on 65 for The Village Cup final as, after being put into bat, they ended with 120 the third wicket before Park was , again off the that run throughout the summer. They for four. That, however, was never going to be enough bowling of Rob Foster, for 45 from just 31 deliveries. This cover various formats of the game all for a strong Ealing side and Chris Peploe (56 not out) dismissal saw Park’s brother Sean take to the wicket, but A brutal innings of 63 from 31 balls from 17 year-old culminating in finals at some of the best and ’s Oliver Wilkin (63 not out) after he was run out for 7 the Cambridge Granta innings Nick Doyle saw Woodhouses CC (Lancashire) win the knocked off the runs without any alarm struggled to gain any momentum, with the side losing 2011 Persimmon Village Cup final with a 58-run win grounds in the country. wickets at regular intervals. At the other end, Fullarton over Rottingdean CC (Sussex) in a 10-over shoot-out, Top performers of the competition: held together the innings as best he could, finishing following the abandonment of the 40-over game due to a with an impressive 87 not out from 114 balls but with long rain delay. The Cockspur Cup final is held at a different first class venue Leading Run Scorer: two wickets in the final two balls for Mike Barnard, Doyle put on 83 in a decisive opening stand with Josh each year with the 2011 finals day being played at the home Dave Roberts - St Just 146 runs @ 48 Cambridge Granta finished on 220-8 from their 45 overs. Tolley (36) and proceeded to smash three sixes in the of Essex CCC, Chelmsford. The finals day replicates that of The Shrewsbury reply started well but the two quick final over of the innings – the first to bring up his fifty the first class T20 competition with the semi-finals and final wickets of Ryan Bishop and Steve Leach, who both hit from just 28 balls – to set an intimidating 113 to win. being played on the same day. Leading Wicket Taker: half centuries in their semi-final win over the West The first match, abandoned after 13 overs when The National knockout covers the 45 over format with Oliver Wilkin – Ealing 11 wickets @ Economy rate 4.7 Indian Cavaliers, left the Shropshire side on 36-2. Joe the threatening cloud cover finally gave way, saw the final again being played at one of the first class venues Leach joined captain Ed Foster at the crease and the pair Woodhouses restrict Rottingdean to 43 for 3. But after around the country. Last year’s final was hosted at the put on 76 for the third wicket before Lewys Hill captured an enforced break of nearly four hours, the Lord’s bell County Ground in Derby. the wicket of Leach for 26, caught by James Cowen. Ed tolled at 3.40pm and the umpires led the players out The Persimmon Village Cup was played over 40 overs and Foster was then paired with his brother Rob and this for the second time, delighting a frustrated crowd the national final played at the home of cricket. The players was another fruitful partnership totalling 60 runs before who proceeded to cheer wildly every dot ball and run. get the once in a lifetime opportunity to play in front of their Rob Foster’s run a ball innings of 39 came to an end, Drastically reduced it may have been but the teams, both adoring fans at Lord’s! bowled by Jimmy Handley. Tom Cox continued the near first-time finalists, were to get a game at the Home of run a ball momentum, scoring 23 before he was also out Cricket after all. The Cockspur Cup off the bowling of Handley, this time caught by Lewys Rottingdean won the toss and elected to bowl. Hill. Two quick run outs of Alex Blofield and Stephen Woodhouses, with an average age in the low 20s, wasted no time targeting the short boundary and Ealing Cricket Club became Barbados Cockspur Cup T20 demonstrating youthful exuberance between the champions 2011 following a 10-wicket victory over fellow wickets. Twenty year-old opener Josh Tolley showed finalists, Chester-le-Street at Chelmsford. why he is the leading scorer in this year’s competition, The competition, which involves more than 750 clubs keeping his side ticking over at 10-runs-an-over for the from 32 leagues across England and Wales, reached its first half of the innings. conclusion with a finals day that mirrors that of the Friends Doyle, not to be outdone, blasted a six over mid-on to Life T20, with four clubs all competing for the first prize - an bring up the fifty partnership from just 34 balls. Faced all-inclusive pre-season tour of Barbados. with two well set batsmen, Rottingdean spread the Ealing took on Cornish side St. Just in the first semi-final field. Amid a flurry of boundaries and in desperate need and overcame them with ease to win by seven wickets, as of inspiration, Rottingdean found it in the form of Alex former Middlesex slow left-armer Chris Peploe starred with The National Knockout Potter. The tall quick produced a lively and energetic both bat and ball. spell from the Pavilion End, generating pace, adjusting The second semi-final featured Hyde CC from the well to the Lord’s slope and having more success than Cheshire County League against Chester-le-Street from the The final of the ECB National Club Championship his colleagues by pitching the ball up. North-East Premier League and despite Chester-le-Street avoided the wet weather sweeping the country to Potter secured a breakthrough with the wicket of only making 102 from their 20 overs, they recorded a five-run produce a fantastic match that was won in the last over Tolley in the eighth over but just as Rottingean seemed victory as Hyde lost their last five wickets for just ten runs. at Derbyshire County Cricket Ground. Shrewsbury, led to be pinning their northern opponents back, Doyle launched his 10th over assault, dispatching Potter

62 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 63 2011 Competition Round-Up Guide Round-Up

into the Tavern Stand, over the heads of the delighted Callum Megram (2 for 7) did a good job dismantling Woodhouses supporters. A six off the last ball of the the Rottingdean tail, ending the innings with a innings lifted Woodhouses’ 10-over total to a large 112 wicket maiden as Rottingdean limped to 54 for 8. for 1. The match ended in bright, September sunshine GUIDE The sun came out for the second innings, but with the Woodhouses flag flying proudly above the Rottingdean may not have noticed as big-hitting Lord’s pavilion. Below it the Woodhouses players and Najmus Jamil fell victim to Luke Swards (1 for 16) in travelling support celebrated a polished display and the first over. deserved victory. Pressure built up through dot balls and athletic Neil Davidson from Persimmon, the house builders, ROUND-UP fielding – not least from Luke Swards, who dived said: “This was Persimmon’s first year sponsoring the forward at mid-wicket to take a stunning catch National Village Cup and the spirit of the captains to Many thanks for taking the time to read There are a number of organisations to dismiss Rottingdean captain Henry Ledden manufacture a match out of the horrendous weather the inaugural Guide to Club Cricket. We working very hard to increase the – consolidated Woodhouses’ strong position. A made it a special occasion. Many congratulations to Rottingdean challenge that was faltering was killed off Woodhouses for their victory and commiserations hope that each and every one of you number of people interacting with in the seventh over of the innings by the introduction to Rottingdean. But seeing amateur players – the will benefit from this fantastic resource cricket and together, we can all of Woodhouses’ leading Village Cup wicket-taker this lifeblood of the sport – playing with such gusto, we season, Ashley Prescott. The medium pace bowler took know that both teams will have memories that’ll and work hard to collectively enhance contribute and grow the cricket family. a hat-trick – at Lord’s – doing all the work himself for endure forever.” recreational cricket. the second and third wickets with two caught-and- Get involved in the LCA by writing about bowled dismissals. The LCA is dedicated to giving its your cricketing experiences or giving members a unique experience and your club some extensive exposure via continued support, whilst giving them a the news section of the website. voice in the amateur cricket world. The research the LCA have conducted over Further content can be found on the LCA the last three years has played an integral website and extensive information is part in putting the Guide together. continuously being added.

Being able to collectively voice an Join FREE at www.thelca.co.uk or opinion means that club cricketers now contact the LCA Team at [email protected] have the ability to be heard and adopt changes if required. Join the conversation on Twitter @thelcauk

The participation levels in cricket are reducing and YOU can help! Go that extra mile for your club today and ensure the sustainability of this wonderful game for many years to come.

64 | Club Cricket 2012 65 | Club Cricket 2012 www.thelca.co.uk | 65 MONEY FOR NOTHING, KIT FOR FREE COMPETITION

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a) CaythorpeRSVP: Cricket01793 Club 767300 or [email protected]. Places are limited so if b) Cannock Cricketyou Club wish to attend, please confirm your acceptance before DD/MM/ c) Clifton VillageYYYY Cricket. Club If you are unable to join us on this occasion, please contact us to discuss other The closingopportunities date for the tocompetition drive the is 31st model July 2012of your and the choice. Winner will be notified and awarded their prize at the LCA Awards Dinner. EMO All drivers must be 28 years or over and have held a full licence for 5 years or over THE OLD RECTORY, VICARAGE LANE, HIGHWORTH, SWINDON All drivers must be 28 years or over and have held a full licence for 5 years or over with no more than six with no more than six penalty points. WILTSHIRE, SN6 7AD penalty points. 01793 767300 www.emo.uk.com

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106147 COVER PRICE The club payment of £10 per subscriber will be made upon conŽ rmed receipt of each subscription payment. This can take up to four weeks for collections made by Direct Debit.

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Untitled - Page: 2 2012-02-06 09:21:53 +0000 www.thelca.co.uk The LCA Guide to Club Cricket

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