Updated Recreational Cricket Safety Regulations and Guidelines for the 2025 Season

The ECB has introduced updated Recreational Cricket Safety Regulations for 2025, which apply to everyone in the recreational game.

These Regulations consolidate essential requirements, including minimum fielding distances, player eligibility, protective equipment, and fast bowling. Updated Guidelines which contain recommendations to enhance safety are also available, alongside an FAQ to aid the understanding and implementation of these Regulations and Guidelines. We urge everyone involved in recreational cricket to read and share these documents to ensure safe environments.

For questions, contact SafetyInCricket@ecb.co.uk

Whats New? (Non-Negotiable)

• Male players aged under 18 must wear a groin protector (box) when also required to wear a helmet (i.e., when batting, keeping wicket or fielding in certain positions in hardball cricket).
• Written approval must be obtained from the County Talent Pathway Lead (in addition to written parental consent) before a County or sub-County player aged 11 and who has started school year 7 is eligible to play in open age (adult) cricket.
• Clubs must have regard to certain considerations before playing a junior cricketer in open age cricket or in an age group above that player’s actual age group.
• Umpires (both formally appointed and acting umpires), and captains (or team managers in junior cricket) must take certain steps to enforce the new Safety Regulations in matches.
• Regulations apply to the players age, not the age group of cricket (e.g., 12-year-olds, not U13s).

Updated Fast Bowling & Fielding Distances Regulations 

NCF Safeguarding Team (For additional help)

NCF Safeguarding Email
Email: safeguarding@norfolkcricket.co.uk

Norfolk County Safeguarding Officer – MARK CAMPBELL
Email: Click HERE
Phone: 07917 735469
(Please feel free to contact Mark with any queries that you may have)

Norfolk County Safeguarding Officer – KEVIN DENMARK
Email: Click HERE
Phone: 07876 561388
(Please feel free to contact Kevin with any queries that you may have)