ECB Guidelines for Junior Players in Open Age Group Cricket
The ECB has issued guidance covering the selection and participation of young players in open age group cricket. It is designed to help clubs to decide when to select young players in open age group cricket and how best to help their cricketing development when they play within open age groups.
1. Making the step up from junior to open age group cricket is a significant event in any player’s cricket experience. Ensure that the player’s safety, personal development needs and overall cricket experience are considered.
2. There is no definitive age at which they should be introduced to open age group cricket Each case should be determined on an individual basis dependent on their ability and stage of cognitive and emotional maturity to take part at this level,
3. ECB Fast Bowling Directives and Fielding Regulations should always be adhered to for junior players in open age group cricket.
4 District and club players who are not in a County or Area squads must wait until they reach the Under 13 age group, 12 years old, Year 8 on 1st September of the preceding year prior to being able to play in any Open Age Cricket, again written parental consent is required for these players
5. 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, and 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 that Clubs and Coaches recognise the 'Duty of Care' obligations towards these young players.
ECB have agreed that as Yorkshire is a large county with many talented young cricketers that those who played in the Under 11s District Cricket Festivals in 2016 as well as the 2017 Under 12A and U12 B squads will be categorised as being in the Under 12 County Age Group approved for Open Age cricket in 2017. All such players are issued with an approved card by YCB prior to the start of the season