Revised article updated: Friday 15 May, 5:00pm
Article first released: Thursday 26 March, 10:00am
Recreational Cricket Update
• Dan Feist – Cricket Operations – [email protected]
• Graham Pryke – Leagues and Clubs, Lead on Funding – [email protected]
• Natalie Samaranayake – Women & Girls, Youth – [email protected]
• Phil Knappett – Safeguarding and on-line courses – [email protected]
• Arfan Akram – East London Clubs and Leagues – [email protected]
A message from Dan Feist, Head of Cricket Operations, Essex Cricket
“In these unprecedented times it is fundamental that we first acknowledge the role we can all play in supporting each other to be safe, but once some form of normality starts to return, the role of Clubs as a Community Hub to spark excitement and engagement for all is going to be more important than ever before.
“Throughout history, Cricket Clubs have provided a united and reliable place for the community to come together and it has been great to see and hear so many positive stories about how this is continuing, despite the current situation. The news this week about the financial support that will be available for Clubs alongside other government initiatives comes at a welcome time for all.
“We will be now working with Clubs across the County to make sure they have all the support they need to ensure that they can continue to support their local community and remain a vital part of the wider Essex Cricket family.”
Latest ECB Update
The ECB have released the following guidelines regarding the use of outdoor cricket facilities, which can viewed – Here
Current Government Advice
All the latest details can be found via: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Funding & Financial Support
Information on the ECB’s Leagues Loan is now available: Here
Further to ECB’s announcement on 31 March, today the ECB announced its Loan and Grant Scheme.
The Grant has been launched as the final resort so we would, therefore, encourage all Clubs and Leagues to ensure they have applied for the following first:
1. Government’s Local Authority Small Business Grant. For more information – click here
2. The ECB Loan scheme – click here
3. The ECB Grant – click here
Please also consider visiting the following resources;
https://www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.activeessex.org/
https://londonsport.org/
ECiC Guidance
ECiC has put together the following guidance that member clubs are recommended to act on.
Essex Cricket Covid-19 Webinars:
A series of webinars have been organised using conferencing platform, Zoom to share thoughts from different areas of Essex Cricket. We ask you to reflect on these and think about the one thing we can do now to help grow and sustain your club while enhancing your community tomorrow.
• Thursday 23 April, 5pm – Club Development and Funding
48 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the first virtual presentation on Club Development and Funding which was delivered by ECB’s Duncan Jenkinson and Essex Cricket’s Graham Pryke.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 28 April 12pm – Volunteering and Safeguarding
46 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the first virtual presentation on Volunteering and Safeguarding which was delivered by Essex Cricket’s County Welfare Officer and Director of Cricket Operations.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Thursday 30 April, 5pm – Grounds Maintenance
Essex Cricket’s Head Groundsman, Stuart Kerrison and Grounds Management Associations Regional Pitch Advisor, Phil Jeggo shared insight and good practices as well as answering questions on Grounds Maintenance, 66 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 5 May, 12pm – Women and Girls
33 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire logged in to the webinar on Women and Girls cricket delivered by Essex Cricket’s Head of Women and Girls Cricket, Natalie Samaranayake and Families Co-ordinator, Claire Smith.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Thursday 7 May, 5pm -Youth Cricket and Player Pathway
79 members of clubs and leagues across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire were giving insight on the strategy and process in place when it comes to Youth Cricket and Pathway. Cricket Operations Director, Dan Feist shared the framework, Academy Director Barry Hyam explained in detail of how the programmes are developed and players are progressed and Men’s Head Coach Anthony McGrath bought the whole journey, pathway and philosophy together in sharing the clubs values what it takes to be a first XI professional cricketer.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 12 May, 12pm Scoring and Umpiring
Essex born and professional umpire Neil Bainton was joined by Essex ACO Chair Paul Brice with 41 logged in to the call. Neil share his journey from playing Junior and Recreational Cricket to working his way into the professional umpiring, one of the first non-first class cricketers to do so. Paul shared the structure in place for anyone wishing to become an umpire or scorer.
Listen to the Webinar:
• Thursday 14 May, 5pm – Marketing and Commercial activation
Essex Cricket’s Marketing and Communication Manager Ashley Neave, Commercial Manager Darrell Fox were joined by Queenie Porter who was representing one of the club sponsors (and webinar partner) WOW Hydrate. 26 people logged-in to understand how the Club works collaboratively internally and with sponsors to not only identify but to activate a partnership. Ashley and Darrell shared good practices, tips and advice in what community cricket clubs can do to engage with new and existing sponsors as well as maximising digital and media platforms to have a good presence. Wow Hydrate also shared an incredible offer, but you will have to watch the webinar to find out more…
Listen to the Webinar:
• Tuesday 19 May, 12pm – Coach Education
Join Meeting – Here
Good News
To date over £1.2M has been received from Governments Small Business Grant, Sport England Grant, ECB Grants and Loans to date. If your club or league is applicable and have not applied for any of the funding pots then please find links on the Funding and Financial Support section.
Case Study of the Week: COVID-19 Cricket Tea
Plans are being finalised for an opportunity for Club across the county to take part in a united COVID-19 Cricket Tea. This is set to take place on Saturday 16 May with clubhouses and pavilions being turned into foodbanks. This is a fantastic way to support the local community by linking up with local foodbanks or homeless shelters to provide a location for people to donate food.
Marketing support will be provided by Essex Cricket to showcase as many clubs as possible who are keen to be involved with further information and literature available next week.
The Cloudfm County Ground will be joining the campaign with donations welcome from the public.
Recreational Cricket Update
‘APG 6 Balls to Help Restart Cricket’
As agreed at the Essex Cricket in the Community Adult Participation Group (“APG”) Meeting on 29 April 2020.
All leagues understand the challenges facing recreational cricket at this time.
Although many of the concerns that all leagues, clubs and players are facing at the moment cannot yet be answered, the APG has agreed on the following points to help clubs plan for the future and to give cricket the best chance to return when/if possible in 2020.
1. All leagues agree that their number one priority is to help reactivate play at their member clubs. Be that through their standard league set-up or helping to support creative ways of getting games played.
2. All leagues agree that there will be a period of time between the current lockdown being relaxed and the league season beginning: this is to ensure that grounds and facilities can be got ready for appropriate use. Recommended between 2-5 weeks: leagues to consult their clubs.
3. All leagues agree that there will be no league cricket before July 01 2020.
4. League fixtures and length of season:
• Leagues will try to use the fixtures already produced for their leagues.
• League games to be played on the usual day for that league e.g. Saturday League games not being played on Sundays and vice versa.
• Leagues to consider extending the season deeper into September and October by organising games/competitions at these times with clubs that are able to field teams and at grounds that are available.
5. All leagues agree that there will be no promotion or relegation between divisions for the 2020 season.
6. Penalties: All leagues agree that clubs will not face financial or points penalties for failing to fulfill fixtures, pulling out of divisions or other such offences that are due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic.
The APG will also continue to work with Essex Cricket in the Community, the ECB and Government to update leagues and their member clubs on any announcements or decisions around risk, hygiene and social distancing concerning the playing and organising of cricket.
Kind Regards from:
THE ECiC Adult Participation Group, Made up off all leagues across Essex.
SNEL, EAPL, H&EBL, ECCL, T Rippon, Two Counties, North Essex, Essex Sunday, NCL, EDCL, BSL, GMCL, LCL, LSL, E&MCL, BCL, GLCL, BTCL, LUCL, Warsop Sunday League, Indoor Cricket, Women Cricket Leagues.
Safeguarding
DBS Verification
Phil Knappett has allocated two times each week to be in the office and be logged onto the ECB verifying site.
Every Tuesday from 2:30pm until 3:30pm or Friday between 11am-12pm. Please do not ring outside those times and it will be appreciated if you would confirm via email when you would like to complete the verification process.
If you work for the NHS/Carer or through shifts supporting them, please email me to organise a convenient time.
Please ensure that you have all the documents you used with you to complete you DBS online form.
You can contact Phil within the dedicated hours on 07717728725 via Face time.
Documentation numbers you have submitted will be required. Please remember which documents you used and have them available so you can present them from your screen. Please do not photograph or scan the information.
Regular Welfare Catch-Up Meeting
Phil Knappett is inviting you to Essex Cricket CWO’s Online Zoom meeting
Time: May 26, 2020 4pm then each Tuesday at the same time.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8501928999?pwd=dmpsMUFmZFZlRXdYQzVFaXRVaWxRZz09
Meeting ID: 850 192 8999
Password: 6ecwo4
*Please note change of password
Safeguarding – Please visit the safeguarding page for latest update on the following: www.essexcricket.org.uk/community/safeguarding
• Club Support -Safeguarding and Protecting Children
• Join Zoom Welfare Support Meeting every Tuesday at 4pm to get further updates and ask any questions.
• Safehands
• DBS
• Social Media
• Zoom Video Conferencing
• Checklist for clubs running an online Zoom coaching session
• Club Welfare Officer Letter
Phil Knappett Essex County Welfare Officer: [email protected]
Club Development Plan
With the updates announced by Sport England and the ECB, we advise that clubs and leagues to work up contingency plans covering various eventualities. We also suggest that they should develop, or where appropriate update, their development plans – including a way forward – and perhaps include a financial assessment of the club’s current and estimated future position, with a comparison to the past three seasons. Projected cash flow will be particularly crucial.
Please do consider how your club can stay relevant and in people’s minds in the local community through online games/videos, members webinars…
Affiliation
Through consultation with a number of stakeholders, ECiC has taken the decision to amend the affiliation fee for ALL clubs to a £20 deposit which will be reviewed again at the end of September. As in previous years a percentage of this amount will be retained by the local Cricket Participation Group to support junior cricket development. Please inform clubs in your league and it will be communicated and processed up the chain.
Affiliation fees ensure the provision of support for clubs from ECiC and the ECB. If your league or club has not affiliated in the past and you wish to do so, then please make contact with your regional/district contact in the first instance.
Invoices
During Tuesday evenings APG meeting, a number of leagues will not be invoicing clubs until they have a clearer picture of the season. We ask all our leagues to consider if this is a workable option for them, too. If you have other suppliers who have invoiced you for supplies, kit etc it would be sensible to contact them to discuss the situation.
Councils & Landlords
We recommend that each club in your league makes contact with their landlords and discusses the possibility of a rent holiday and/or reduction. We are keen for updates to be shared with your respective Essex Cricket contact.
Grounds Maintenance
The Institute of Groundsmen (IOG) on 02 April provided the latest guidelines and specifications for cricket grounds maintenance, respecting the Governments current guidelines – view here
An update on guidance for groundsmen and women can found here: http://essexcricket.org.uk/2020/03/26/guidance-for-groundsmen-thursday-26-march/
Indoor/Outdoor Nets
In line with the ECB statement on 15 May, the ECB maintains the position that all recreational cricket remains suspended until further notice, with the sole exception of the use of outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise as set out in the detailed guidance document, available – Here
Overseas Players
Do contact them and their agents as the situation obviously will alter their plans.
Online Cricket Games/Activities
We have been updating our platforms to show activities that individuals and/or families can take part in whilst at home; these can be located via:
• Website: www.essexcricket.org.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EssexCCB/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/EssexCCB
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essexcricketcommunity/
Online Courses
Online Umpiring Course: A great opportunity to hone in and on your journey of becoming an umpire: https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/officials/find-a-course/Umpiring-courses
Ground Management Association (GMA): An online course is available with the GMA and you can find out more – Here
All Stars Cricket/Dynamos
The ECB have suspended All Stars Cricket and Dynamo Cricket until further notice. However as recently communicated by the ECB, ASC Packs and games at home will be posted out shortly to all that have registered. – more information
The ECB has launched its new Dynamos Cricket app, launching in iOS and Android stores.
This brand new app is part of the ECB’s Dynamos Cricket programme aimed at inspiring 8-11 year olds to play cricket, learn new skills and fall in love with the game. The app is the perfect platform for children to do just this at home and has been tailored to suit all children aged 8+ years.
Packed full of features, it is designed both for children who have never played cricket before, as well as those looking to build on what they already know.
The 18 different skills videos and interactive quizzes provide lots of ways for children to get active at home, even with minimal space and equipment.
Download the free Dynamos Cricket app today and share with your friends and family too!
Spike in Vandalism
Despite the crisis, certain people out there are still adding to the misery by breaking into clubs and stealing.
We have been made aware that one club has had non-turf matting stolen, twice from their outdoor nets. Two other Clubs have had their Gator and Tractor stolen. If members are visiting their club as part of their daily exercise then please try to be as vigilant as possible.
Youth Participation Group (YPG)
The YPG met via the virtual world, here is an update regarding Youth Cricket: http://essexcricket.org.uk/2020/04/07/youth-participation-update/
Active Essex Webinar
Organised by Active Essex, Essex Cricket amongst a number of NGB’s shared, discussed and debated a number of factors. The group will meet again in a few weeks’ time to ensure a cross-sport discussion with the focus of keeping our communities as active as possible and supporting young people.
The group also discussed funding and the following two links were signposted as a guide outside of the Sport England, ECB and Government funding.
https://www.sportenglandclubmatters.com/
https://sportsuite.activeessex.org/funding
and finally…
Most importantly it is clear that we want everyone to look after their own health and that of their members; this is the main priority of all.
Contact
In line with Government guidance, Essex Cricket in the Community staff as of Wednesday 18 March are working from home. Wherever possible, the team will continue to give support and will continue to provide updates as often as necessary.
