Two new ECB Accredited Premier Cricket Leagues for 2023 in Lancashire

The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is delighted to announce that both the Greater Manchester Cricket League (GMCL) and the renowned JW Lees Lancashire Cricket League have attained ECB Accredited Premier League status for the upcoming 2023 season.

This accreditation increases the number of ECB Premier Leagues in Lancashire to four alongside The Love Lane Liverpool and District Cricket Competition and the Northern Premier Cricket League.

The ECB Accredited Premier Leagues are a group of high quality cricket leagues across England and Wales, organised locally by volunteers on behalf of member clubs, in this case, supported by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The Accredited Premier Leagues form the top tier of club cricket in England and Wales bridging the gap between recreational cricket and the First-Class game - as well as aiming to provide great experiences for junior players, parents and spectators.

John Murphy, Executive Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation said: “We would like to express our thanks to the executives of both Leagues for their commitment and efforts into making this happen. Premier League accreditation is designed to provide a platform for Leagues and Clubs to make continuous improvements and to ensure that the game of Cricket inspires generations and is a game for everyone.”

The path to accreditation is a thorough process, that looks deeply into the organisation of the Leagues and their Clubs, with particular attention paid to a number of areas including governance, safeguarding, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, and the commitment to junior cricket and if appropriate women and girls’.

A spokesperson for the GMCL also commented: “The Greater Manchester Cricket League are delighted to be accepted as an ECB Accredited Premier League, which has been the aim of the League since its inception. We are about to commence our eighth season, and in that time, we have come a long way, but we see this accreditation as the next step for the League in helping clubs to realise their full potential.

“For those clubs playing at the top end of the GMCL structure, they will be expected to meet the standards of a Premier League Club and for those aspiring to achieve this level they will know clearly what is expected. This accreditation provides a structure for them to achieve their potential within this national framework.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to all involved at the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Lancashire Cricket Foundation for their continued support and guidance.”

Premier League clubs must show a strong commitment to junior cricket and the assessment criteria explicitly require strong junior sections that can provide cricket coaching and matches for the next generation of cricketers.

Chairman of the JW Lees Lancashire Cricket League, Mike Bibby, added: “The JW Lees Lancashire Cricket League is proud to become an ECB Accredited Premier League for 2023.

“The League has worked hard over recent years, to increase its membership to 24 clubs with promotion and relegation and this offer of Premier League status within the national framework is the reward for its member clubs.

“We as a League, consider our structure and playing format to be of a Premier League standard and will continue to encourage member clubs to develop and improve. The Feeder League will provide the opportunity for those clubs aspiring to reach the Premier League having met the required standards.

“This promotion in our standing in League cricket would not have been possible without the help and guidance of The England and Wales Cricket Board and the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.  We would like to place on record our grateful thanks to all concerned.”