Devon Cricket Board - Get The Game On

Get The Game On - Matt Theedom

If you are reading this you are unlikely to need cricket to be sold to you. You are most probably a participant in some shape or form or a follower of sport in general and maybe cricket especially. You are most probably aware and have personally experienced the benefits (and maybe some frustrations) of regular participation and the impact possible on individuals, groups of people and wider communities.

However it seems that we are a dwindling group. – Important surveys and reports from Sport England and the ECB clearly indicate that cricket participation nationally is in decline.

A snapshot at some of the statistics

In the past season there has been a 7% reduction in number of players and a reduction of 13% in completed matches. Over the past 4 seasons there has been a 63% increase in the number of conceded fixtures.

This is obviously worrying for the future of our sport.

The reasons for this are many and complex and will no doubt be discussed and explored for hours in cricket club bars up and down the country deep into the summer nights!

Here are a few points that we feel are relevant to the situation cricket finds itself in:

There has been a change in people’s expectations in what they expect from their day-to-day experiences (especially younger people). The rise of connectivity, technology and social media has influenced the need for instant gratification and constant stimulation.

Is cricket adapting to fit these changing expectations? Can Cricket modernise?

Increased pressure people are facing on their time. Various commitments between work and home life are making time for leisure and recreation more and more difficult.

Does cricket give flexibility to people who feel this pressure and may be unable to commit a whole day to playing sport – particularly for those with young families?

A lack of recognition from the whole of the cricket community of all that is involved in providing a game of cricket. Preparing a wicket, coordinating catering, umpires to name but a few. This could possibly add to more games being abandoned/conceded as these tasks normally fall to the same few people within a club.

How are clubs engaging with their members? Is this linked to wider problem of volunteering?

A specific issue of older teens dropping out of the sport. When age group competitions end at U15, U17 or U19, where do the players go? Some will have migrated to senior cricket, but many others are lost to the game if there is nowhere for them to play with their friends?

What should be explored to encourage retention of players?

In an effort to address this problem, one of the initiatives the ECB are launching is ‘Get the Game On’ - a scheme being supported by Devon Cricket and Local Leagues to reverse the trend of falling participation. We feel this campaign has the potential to share the responsibility of the future of cricket, from individuals such as Club Captains, Groundsman, Coaches and Players to County Cricket Boards and Local Leagues.

It contains some short-term advice, with practical applications of how people can Get the Game On and promote positive experiences. Examples include anything from, how to pin down cover sheets to promoting a positive feeling on social media in the lead up to a match when rain is around!

Go to www.getthegameon.co.uk for more information.

Longer term aims of this campaign look to tackle some key questions around the how accessible our game is to the changing needs of the population.

Clearly our Clubs play a huge role in promoting participation. Ensuring sustainability and continual development are both a priority for Cricket and therefore the whole of Devon Cricket. Seminars will be run through May and June to promote the Get The Game On campaign across the county.

More details on this scheme and how you can get involved locally and make a difference will be available shortly.

We are all in this together!

Matt Theedom

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773