Yorkshire Cricket Board

We are pleased to formally announce the establishment of three affiliated Regional Women's Premier Leagues across Yorkshire, commencing in the 2026 season.

This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the development of women's and
girls' cricket throughout our county.

Background & Context

Women's and girls' cricket in Yorkshire continues to experience unprecedented growth, with women's teams increasing from 189 in 2023 to over 300 teams currently active across the county. This remarkable expansion reflects the dedication of our volunteer network and the increasing enthusiasm for the women's game at all levels.

Following extensive consultation between the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF), Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC), club & league representatives and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), we have developed a comprehensive framework designed to enhance opportunities, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen the pathway between recreational and elite cricket.

Strategic objectives

This initiative aligns with both the YCF Strategic Visions for 2025-2028 and the ECB's Transform Women's & Girls' Cricket strategy, and will see the advancement of a sustainable playing pyramid across Yorkshire with the following core objectives:

• Enhanced Accessibility: Reduce travel requirements while maintaining competitive standards.

• Pathway Development: Establish direct connections between recreational and elite performance structures.

• Increased Participation: Create broader opportunities for hardball cricket participation.

• Quality Assurance: Implement consistent governance standards across all regional leagues.

• Strategic Integration: Align women's premier leagues with existing men's accredited structures.

Grace Pearson, Head of Women & Girls at Yorkshire Cricket Foundation said "This represents a pivotal moment for women's and girls' cricket in Yorkshire. The Regional Premier Leagues reflect our collective ambition to raise standards, reduce participation barriers, and strengthen connections between recreational and elite pathways. This structure has been developed through comprehensive consultation with clubs, volunteers, and players, and we are committed to working alongside YCCC and local leagues to build a sustainable and exciting future for the women's game."

League Structure and Format

2026 Season Launch

• North/East, West, and South Premier League
• 6-10 teams per regional league
• 30-over hardball cricket
• 11-a-side matches
• Optional movement between regional leagues for eligible clubs (top/bottom
finishers) subject to expression of interest

2027 Season Development

• North/East, West, and South Premier League
• 8-10 teams per regional league
• 40-over hardball cricket
• T20 Countywide Cup
• 11-a-side matches
• Promotion/Relegation: tbc

2028 Season Development

• North/East, West, and South Premier League
• 8-12 teams per regional league
• 40-over hardball cricket
• T20 Countywide Cup
• 11-a-side matches
• Promotion/Relegation: tbc

Competition Elements

• Annual Countywide Finals Day hosted at Headingley.
• Professional standard governance and administration support for leagues

YCCC Pathway Integration

Gavin Hamilton, General Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club said "The creation of three Regional Premier Leagues represents a critical and exciting advancement for Yorkshire cricket. This initiative will expand participation while elevating playing standards across the county. Our long-term objective is to establish these Premier Leagues as integral components of Yorkshire's talent pathway, providing enhanced opportunities for both recreational and academy players within the women's league structure."

1. Pathway Player Integration:

All YCCC Academy and Emerging Player Programme (EPP) players will be affiliated
with one of the Regional Premier League clubs and will be expected to represent
those clubs when available. This alignment ensures that the performance pathway
is fully embedded within the recreational game.

2. Phased Transition Approach:

Recognising the historic ties some players have to the existing women’s clubs, a
transitional period will be implemented to allow both structures to co-exist initially
before full integration.

3. Even Distribution of Talent:

YCCC will strategically allocate pathway players across the Regional Premier League clubs to ensure competitive balance and development opportunity across all regions. This will prevent over-concentration of talent and provide a strong foundation for each club.

4. Selection of High-Quality Clubs:

The success of this model is dependent on the selection of clubs with strong facilities, coaching infrastructure, and a commitment to player development. These standards will be key to sustaining long-term success and player engagement.

5. Coach Development & Alignment:

YCCC will expand its CPD (Continuing Professional Development) provision for club
coaches, aimed at aligning coaching philosophies and practices with those used on
the performance pathway.

6. Increased Visibility and Support:

YCCC pathway staff will attend training sessions and fixtures at the Regional Premier
League clubs, providing direct support to players and coaches and helping to embed
a more professional and structured training environment.

7. Enhanced Talent Identification:

YCCC’s Talent ID team will have a regular presence at Regional Premier League
fixtures, supporting enhanced scouting, earlier identification, and broader
development opportunities for players across the county.

Implementation Timeline

• Immediate: Club consultation and expression of interest begin.
• Winter 2025: Final league compositions confirmed.
• Spring 2026: Inaugural season commences.
• 2026 and 2027 Season: Strategic planning of YCCC pathway player distribution
across regional leagues.
• 2028: Full format implementation with expanded competitions and YCCC pathway players fully integrated across all regional premier leagues

Next Steps for Clubs

All affiliated clubs are invited to:

1. Review this announcement with your club committee and women's/girls' players.
2. Assess your club's capacity and interest in participating.
3. Discuss expressions of interest with your Regional League chairs

Please find below further information should you have any questions, however, should you seek any further clarification, or wish to discuss your club's participation, please contact:

Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Head of Women & Girls: G.Pearson@yorkshirecb.com

We look forward to working with you to deliver this exciting new chapter in Yorkshire women's cricket and welcome your continued support in growing the game across our county.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will teams be allocated to the three regional divisions? Team allocation will be
based primarily on geographical location to minimize travel, with consideration given to
existing league structures and club preferences expressed.

What happens if more than 10 teams want to join a regional league? Priority will be
given based on application timing, geographical suitability, and club readiness.

How many fixtures will each team play per season? This will depend on final league
sizes, but teams can expect 10-16 fixtures in the 2026 season, with specific fixture lists
confirmed once league numbers are finalised.

What support will clubs receive for pathway players? Clubs hosting pathway players
will receive guidance from YCCC coaching staff and may benefit from additional
development resources.

How does the optional promotion/relegation system work? Clubs finishing in
promotion/relegation positions will be offered the opportunity to move between regional
leagues. Clubs can choose to remain in their current division regardless of final league
position.

When are the registration deadlines? Specific deadlines will be communicated from
leagues following this announcement.

Will there be development opportunities for players? Yes, the league structure is
designed to provide clear development pathways with regular talent identification
opportunities and connections to county programmes.

How will the Countywide Finals Day at Headingley work? Regional Premier League
winners will compete in a finals day at Headingley. Specific format details (knockout,
round-robin) will be confirmed closer to the season.

What happens to existing women's league structures? The Regional Premier Leagues
will work alongside existing local leagues and regional structures. The Premier Leagues
are designed to complement existing playing offers.

Why is the format changing from 30-over to 40-over between 2026 and 2027? The
phased approach allows clubs and players to adapt gradually. The 30-over format in 2026
provides a continuation of the current offer, while the development to 40-over format in
2027 aligns closer to the YCCC playing formats.

What is the T20 Countywide Cup being introduced in 2027? This will be an additional
cup competition running alongside the main league. It will provide extra competitive
opportunities, variation of playing formats, and opportunities to play teams from outside
your Regional Premier League.

Are there age restrictions for participants? League rules will clarify all specifics,
however in order to play in open age cricket a player must be (i) in the U13 age group, (ii)
in school Year 8 and (iii) 12 years old on the 1st of September of the preceding year and
written parental consent is required.

What do we need to do next? We recommend discussing this announcement as a club,
ensuring voices from all those affected/impacted by this opportunity are heard. Reach
out to your club and league networks, or YCF contact for any specific questions. If you
are confident that you wish to play in a Regional Premier League for 2026, please contact
your league chair.

How will you know that this change is the right decision? We will ensure there are
plenty opportunities for feedback and consultation, and that changes/developments are
driven by the communities across Yorkshire.

Find out how to get involved.