Welfare Officer Update – June 2011

This update is in light of a number of queries and concerns which have been raised about young players in adult cricket. The position of both the Devon Cricket Board Ltd and the Devon Cricket League is for clubs and teams to comply with the ECB guidance in this area. The relevant guidance forms part of Safe Hands http://static.ecb.co.uk/files/018kb-11281.pdf and can be accessed from this link as well as from the Devon Cricket website http://www.devoncricket.com/page.asp?p=dcb-child-protection . This current guidance has been in place since October 2010 and replaces previous guidance from before that date. 

The position is that: players who are selected in a County U12 squad in spring for a summer squad or in another squad deemed by ECB Performance Managers to be of a standard above 'district level' for that season are eligible to play open age cricket. This is providing they are at least 11 years old, are in School Year 7 on 1st September in the year preceding the season, and have written parental consent to play. In allowing these players to play in open age cricket it is essential clubs and coaches recognise the 'duty of care' obligations they have towards these young players for This means boys and girls who are county squad and area squad players, are able to play open age group cricket if they are in an U12 age group and are a minimum of 11 years old on 1st September of the year preceding the season. District and club players who are not in a county or area squads must wait until they reach the U13 age group, be in Year 8 and be 12 years old on 1st September of the preceding year before being able to play in any open age group cricket. As before written parental consent is required for these players.

In considering the age requirements around this people should also be aware of other issues in relation to this including their duty of care towards children in their clubs and other ECB guidance including fast bowling and fielding directives. 

As there is no level of cricket in the County between district and County squads we would look for those players who are in the final U12 County Squad to be viewed as those who meet the U12 criteria as long as they satisfy other criteria such as age, school year and consent. 

If there is any further clarification required in relation to this matter then please feel free to contact me and we will look to resolve any issues which arise. 

Thanks for your help with this. 

James May
Welfare Officer Devon Cricket Board Ltd & Devon Cricket League