Welcome to the website of the Norfolk Cricket Board! We hope to give up to date news of events through the site as well as some basic information about the Board and its main contacts. |  |
Welcome to the Norfolk Cricket Board
Welcome to the website of the Norfolk Cricket Board! We hope to give up to date news of events through the site as well as some basic information about the Board and its main contacts. | |
The Board was established in 1996 and has been sponsored by a yearly grant from the Cricket Foundation, enabling the Board to carry out an ambitious plan of youth representative cricket, which now encompasses age groups from Under 10 to Under 19. As well as this, the Board has concentrated on Cricket Coach development, as a result of which nearly every club in the county can boast at least one cricket coach with relevant qualifications. There is now an active Coach Association, with a current membership in excess of 200 coaches. Other interests such as umpires, scorers and groundsmen (use the "people" button below) have also been supported to some extent.
It is recognised that the future of Norfolk cricket depends on a healthy adult club environment. The Board gives grants to clubs to carry out pitch inspections for the correct improvement measures to be taken, via the county Pitch Inspection Advisor. Grants are also given to clubs arranging festivals for local schools, strengthening club / school links. 2005 saw the birth of four District Development Groups in the hope that this will further enhance local club development.
The prime mover in all these endeavours has been (and still is) the Board's hard-working Cricket Development Officer, Godfrey Batley, who continues to give hours of devoted service to Norfolk cricket. He is backed up by a team of volunteers, from Board officials, leagure representatives, youth team managers, cricket coaches, club officials and parents, all combining to ensure the future of cricket in the county.
As well as the grants described (available to all clubs) the board gives information on a regular basis as to the opportunities for clubs to apply for national or local grants, such as Awards for All. It also maintains a link with the Lord's Taverners, enabling clubs to apply for free equipment for youth cricket, and help towards the installation of non-turf pitches and/or practice nets.
In cooperation with the Norfolk Association of Cricket Coaches, the board susidises the cost of ECB coaching courses to enable candidates to obtain qualifications. As well as benefitting their own club development, the board utilises the skill of coaches to fulfil coaching programmes on a county-wide basis in primary and secondary schools.
Above anything, the board acts as a link between grass roots cricket in Norfolk and the English Cricket Board, communicating any national news of interest to clubs, and passing on instructions regarding health and safety issues. A good example of this was the introduction of safety helmets for youth cricketers. Thanks to funding from the BBC, all clubs were supplied with two helmets at a notional cost, and now it is a standard feature of cricket to see both boys and girls wearing helmets for batting and wicket-keeping. Another safety issue is the current implementation of the Safe Hands initiative, which attempts to eliminate the threat of any paedophiles entering cricket.
The board's activities are condensed in the yearly handbook, two copies of which are sent to all affiliated clubs. This book gives details of all recreational cup, league and youth competitions, plus contact details for all clubs, umpires and emergency contacts. Additional copies of the handbook are available from the secretary at a cost of £2.00 per copy.
The current affiliation fee is set at a low level of £10.00 per adult club (youth clubs are admitted free of charge). Any club that is not currently affiliated can obtain an entry form by contacting the secretary, Derek Cousins.
For most clubs in Norfolk, fixtures are set by the leagues, both on a Saturday and Sunday but there are occasional gaps in the fixture list, plus we have many enquiries from sides wishing to tour in Norfolk and requiring opponents. The board has therefore set up an emergency fixture service, which is run by Alex Evans. For touring sides we maintain a register of clubs willing to entertain visitors. This information can be found in the year's handbook. Copies are available from the secretary.
In an effort to combat any behaviour against the spirit of cricket, the board has set up a Disciplinary Panel for the use of cup, league, and friendly competitions, where necessary. The panel meets as soon as possible after any reported incident, and the findings are circulated to cup, league, and club officials, as well as being published in the local press. The findings may be subject to appeal.
The board has a written Standard Disciplinary Code which is published each year in the Handbook, the object being to make all players aware of their responsibilities, on and off the field. There is a disciplinary tariff, set out in the handbook, which ensures a consistent approach when dealing with these matters.