Norfolk Youth Cricket – Early Engagement Programme Details 2025/2026

Instead of running formal County Age-Group Squads for the Under 10,11 and 12 Boys/Girls Age-Groups, we will be running a new Early Engagement Programme (EEP) instead which focus on providing quality coaching opportunities for more players than a traditional county squad throughout the winter months and then providing match play opportunities during the summer season. (This new programme will supersede the Development Hubs that has run in Norfolk over the past two summers)

Purpose
To provide a fun, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate cricket experience for boys and girls aged 9–12, laying the groundwork for progression through the Early Engagement Programme (EEP) and into County Age Group (CAG) squads.

The key aims of the EEP are to:

• Broaden the talent base and increase the connection between the recreational game and the talent pathway.
• Increase diversity within our talent pathways.
• Build foundational competencies to enable players to perform to their maximum capability over time.
• Inspire players to have a lifelong engagement in cricket.

EEP Observations / Trials

Norfolk Cricket Foundation will run an observation process for all players who register for Early Engagement Trials. All players will be invited to attend a minimum of two observation/trial sessions which will be completely FREE of charge. These will take place in October & November 2025.

Observations will run at U10/U11 Boys, U12 Boys and U10-U12 Girls within Norfolk.

• To be involved in the programme, all players MUST be a minimum of 9 years old on 31st August 2025.
• To be eligible for the U12 Programme all players MUST be a maximum of school Year 7 as of 1st September 2025. (Current School Year 8 is not eligible)

Observation Locations

• U10/U11 Boys (Easton College – Saturdays, 11am to 12:30pm)
• U10/U11 Boys (Framingham Earl HS – Sundays, 10am to 2pm)
• U12 Boys (Easton College – Saturdays, 12:30pm to 2pm)
• U12 Boys (Framingham Earl HS – Sundays, 10am to 2pm)
• U10 to U12 Girls (Framingham Earl HS – Sundays, 10am to 2pm)

Exact dates to be released when the bookings close on 1st October 2025.

EEP Winter Programme

Following the observation sessions, players will be selected and invited to the following number of EEP programmes that will run across the county from November to March. There will be a cost associated to the taking part in this programme to help offset the cost of running the programme.

• U10/U11 Boys – 4 Programmes at two venues (Not less than 15 hours per programme)
• U12 Boys – 2 Programmes at two venues (Not less than 15 hours per programme)
• U12 Girls – 2 Programmes at one venue (Not less than 15 hours per programme)

Summer Match Play Programme

The summer match play programme will be designed to be both innovative and engaging for all players whilst maintaining the focus on equal opportunity for all who are involved in the programme. 8 Days of cricket will be provided for players within the Norfolk EEP during the 2026 summer.

Online Observations/Trials Registration Link

• Registration will close on 1st October 2025

QUESTIONS/QUERIES 

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Head of Performance Pathway, Neil Hornbuckle via email or phone.

Email: neil.hornbuckle@norfolkcricket.co.uk 
Phone: 07389 724515