21st April 2023
The 2023 season is almost upon us. It's time for us to reunite at our local clubs, reignite our competitive spirit, and dive into another exhilarating summer of cricket.
This year promises to be action packed, with the County Championship already underway and the thrilling prospect of a double Ashes series now only weeks away. We're eager to see old rivalries renewed and new heroes emerge, as the passion for cricket shines brighter than ever.
Although poor weather has impacted preparations, your incredible collective effort putting in 10k volunteer hours during the Get Set Weekend has set the stage for a fantastic season. Undoubtedly you are ready to go, and we are optimistic that clearer skies and sunnier days are just around the corner.
From everyone at the ECB we wish you and your club all the best for the summer ahead.
Let's Play!
The Big Help Out
The Big Help Out is a National Day of Volunteering on 8th May 2023 in line with His Majesty The King’s Coronation. Thousands of organisations across the country are putting on activities and inviting members of the community to get involved as volunteers by using The Big Help Out app. Click below to find out how to get involved and promote your own events.Whether or not you join The Big Help Out, the national focus on volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to encourage even more parents to get involved in the first week of Dynamos and All Stars as parent helpers. There are some helpful Resources available to use here
Clubmark Review Survey
The ECB is currently undertaking a full review of the Clubmark accreditation scheme, and we would like to hear your thoughts to help shape the future direction of club accreditation in cricket. The review will explore Clubmark’s contribution towards supporting the development of safe, thriving, and sustainable clubs and engage with stakeholders from across the recreational game.
Whether you are an accredited club, have allowed your accreditation to lapse, or have never worked through the accreditation, we would welcome your feedback.
Deaf Awareness Week
As part of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week, you’re invited to join the Disabled Employee Network to gain a better understanding of the hearing-impaired community and how you can be an ally.
The session will be educational and interactive, with a chance to learn some of the basics of British Sign Language (BSL).
We’ve got a great line-up, here’s what to expect:
Welcome from Clare Connor CBE – ECB Deputy CEO and MD England Women
An introduction to allyship from the England Cricket Association for the Deaf (ECAD)
BSL Taster Session
Q&A
🗓️ Thursday 4 May
🕜 13:30 – 14:30
💻 MS Teams
Challenging Weather for Pitches and Grounds
The weather records continue to tumble. March was the wettest for 40 years in the UK, with double the normal rainfall. Unfortunately, April hasn’t been much better so far and recent high winds have added to the challenges. This is putting pressure on grounds managers across England and Wales to get grounds, and especially pitches, ready for play.
Trying to prepare and use pitches when the ground is too soft can cause problems for the rest of the season. Grounds managers should remember that it is always possible to catch up on pre-season preparation. Often it is better to wait than to go too soon with heavy equipment and damage a wet square. A week could make all the difference.
Check out the GMA Cricket Grounds Management Toolkit for advice here
If you are playing this weekend – it will be because your grounds team have gone above and beyond! If you’re not playing, it will be because of the weather and the soils on your ground.
Recent weeks will have been frustrating and stressful. So, get behind your grounds managers, give them your support, and when the sun arrives, help out. A team effort will really make a difference. Let’s hope that 2023 will be like 2018 – a wet start followed by a glorious summer!
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