STRATEGY - Ecb - England and Wales Cricket Board

NATIONAL CLUB STRATEGY 2012Foreword 01Executive summary 02Introduction to theNational Club Strategy 0401 07The current stateof club cricket02 12The challenges facingclub cricket03 17Using the strategy tobuild a sustainable futurefor club cricket04 23Support you can accessto help your club turn thestrategy into action05 30Benefits of utilisingthe strategy06 35In conclusion: the futureshape of club cricketAppendix 1 39ResearchAppendix 2 39Key PartnersAppendix 3 40ECB - History of Club DevelopmentAppendix 4 40Club StatisticsFOREWORDCricket clubs lie at theheart of our sport. Muchof the success enjoyedon the internationalstage begins withinthe network of clubsacross England andWales. However, whileour clubs continue tobe the lifeblood of thenational game, theyoffer far more than justcompetitive action andare often at the heartof their communities.In countless communities, cricket clubs are vital to the social and economicfabric of the surrounding cities, towns and villages. For many lovers of thegame, the aim is not to aspire to cricket’s greatest stage, but to bring thesport’s unique values and benefits to bear in their own communities.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) believes that a healthy networkof cricket clubs is essential to the future of the game. It has thereforeconducted a thorough review of the current state of club cricket in Englandand Wales, and recognised the need to produce a sustainable plan of action.Despite the tough and uncertain economic climate in which clubs are operating,the review has found much to celebrate. In particular, there is a healthy andgrowing network in place to support the next generation of cricket clubpersonnel. However, we want to use this strategy to offer solutions to theremaining challenges.Our goal at the ECB is “to inspire the nation to choose cricket”. In order toachieve this we must all commit to investing our time, energy and resourcesinto club cricket. The strategy will be successful if clubs primarily focus onimproving the experiences of everyone involved in cricket. The ECB wouldlike clubs to choose to invest in grass pitches and outfields, buildings,synthetic net systems and volunteers, over and above the payment of players,which we discourage in all but the very highest levels of club cricket. Inaddition, we would like these high-level cricket clubs to question whetherpaying players is the best investment for the future of their club.I strongly encourage all bodies and individuals who have an interest in thefuture of cricket to support this strategy.We need your help, to turn this strategy into effective action.Mike Gatting OBEECB Managing Director Cricket Partnerships1