in the development of elite junior cricket across the County.
New arrangements are taking shape within Yorkshire cricket to enhance the development of elite junior cricketers within the county.
On the back of home grown players being integral to the recent success of both the Yorkshire and England sides in all formats of the game, Yorkshire Cricket will be introducing new structures for County Age Group cricket for 2017.
The changes will see the Yorkshire County Age Group junior teams from U10s to U15s being directly run under the banner of Yorkshire Cricket, following negotiations with Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association (YSCA).
Andrew Watson, Executive Director for the Yorkshire Cricket Board said ‘’ The ECB have given an indication as to where they want County Age Group Cricket to sit and how it features in their long term plans. As always, Yorkshire Cricket is working closely with the ECB to ensure the plan is delivered within our County. The new ECB Strategy “Cricket Unleashed” for all aspects of Cricket including elite junior cricket means that it is time to structure things a little differently. Whilst placing on record our thanks for all that YSCA have achieved over 75 years, all at Yorkshire cricket are excited about the way ahead for elite junior cricket development within the County’’.
‘’The Yorkshire Cricket Board has enjoyed a successful partnership with the Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association (YSCA) in the delivery of County Age Group representative cricket. The successes achieved by all age group teams on the field during these years are too many to mention, with the names of the players who have represented the County Age Group sides reading like a ‘who’s who’ of Yorkshire and England stars!.’’
The changes have been agreed following a 24 month review of the structure, delivery and fixture lists for all County Age Group Teams. This is being taken forward via collaborative work between the YCB, YCCC and YSCA officials/current team managers.
Part of the changes will see Team Managers and Coaches being directly accountable to Yorkshire Cricket, together with a full alignment of County Age Group cricket to the enhanced District Cricket tournament and the Pathways to Cricket Excellence winter coaching programmes. The changes will also see refined fixture lists to ensure players are fully challenged, enhancing their experience of playing cricket at the highest level.
Martyn Moxon, Director of Cricket at YCCC added “The YSCA has a lot to be thanked for and we as a club are indebted to them for their efforts over the many years. The changes we are introducing are designed to ensure that junior elite players have access to the best coaches and sports science available from a young age.’’
‘’ The strength of junior cricket within the county is as strong as ever so we need to ensure that players selected to represent their county are challenged appropriately with their development carefully managed. Part of this will be about ensuring that the best junior players in Yorkshire are tested against the best players in other counties in all formats of the game.’’
The changes are welcomed by Matt Dwyer, Director of Participation & Growth at the ECB. ‘’We welcome the model being developed by Yorkshire cricket to secure a clear pathway to support junior players in maximising their potential as cricketers. A key outcome for our Cricket Unleashed strategy is to ensure junior cricketers are appropriately challenged and have equal opportunity to progress. The developments within Yorkshire will go a long way to achieve this and hopefully produce the next cohort of future stars for England.’’
For further information please contact Andrew Watson on 01132 2033 668 or 07966 173525