ECB's top man briefs Devon clubs on Inspiring Generations strategy for next five years

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison (left) is greeted by DCB chairman John Sparkes

CRICKET clubs from all over Devon were briefed on ways to grow the game by the ECB’s man at the top.

Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, was the keynote speaker at the Devon Cricket Board’s Gamewide Conference, which was hosted by the functions team at Exeter Chiefs.

Harrison, who played across the spectrum from club cricket to the First Class game, walked delegates through the ECB’s new strategy document titled Inspiring Generations.

At a time when participation in cricket is declining, Harrison outlined to more than 150 representatives what they and their clubs can do to make their clubs more attractive.

Everything from enhancing facilities for women and girls to having as strong digital presence and taking on community projects and causes came under the spotlight.

Harrison said the image of cricket was that is was mainly played by white, middle-class men and boys, which is something that has to change. He hoped the looming World Cup in this country and the new 100 white-ball competition would be catalysts for change.

Jim Wood, the former DCB chairman, and conference keynote speaker Tom HarrisonDelegates heard the ECB’s rationale for introducing the 100-ball competition, which is designed to attract new followers to the game.

The 100 will be on terrestrial television, which Harrison said was an opportunity not to be missed.

“Without a new competition, without new thinking and without a new ambition I don’t think it would have been possible to attract the kind of reception we have had from the free-to-air market,” said Harrison.

“Now we have got 13 matches on the BBC. Thee years ago, if I was standing in this room and asked what is the most important thing we should do, I guarantee in the top five would have been how do you get cricket back on terrestrial TV?

“Guess what? We area back and we are back with the most exciting format designed to take advantage of those moments when we are in the spotlight in front of 25 million homes.

“It is a real opportunity for us and we don’t intend to let it go by with a whimper.”

Harrison revealed ECB has set aside £55 million to invest in grass roots cricket, and a further £67million for strategic initiatives, money that will trickle down to clubs to improve facilities.

Jim Wood, a past DCB chairman and currently a member of the ECB board, spoke about safeguarding issues and the challenges faced in clubs.

Matt Theedom, the cricket development manager for Devon, announced the creation of a new cricket academy bringing together male and female cricketers under one roof.

The new academy will include the Devon Lions Development programme, which has been the county’s stepping stone from age-group cricket to the Minor Counties game.

“The aim is to put the best coaches and the best young players together,” said Theedom.

Theedom also took time to address clubs on the need to smarten up their social media presence.

Theedom was particularly critical of posts that abused rival players, umpires, tea ladies, groundsmen and league officials, especially those coming from a club’s official account.

Standing in front of some of the worst examples of social media abuse projected on to a big screen, Theedom asked delegates to how they would feel if they were the target?

“You are the groundsman, you have worked 20 hours that week to prepare the pitch, drag the covers on and off and then read this sort of abuse?” said Theedom.

“Are you likely to be motivated to keep doing the ground?

“It is becoming really challenging to get umpires to stand in games and they are hardly going to be inspired to come back reading this sort of comments,” he added while pointing to another abusive post.

“My plea is this. How would we like to be perceived as a cricket club is a question to ask yourself?

“Are you portraying yourselves in the best light to new people, current people, existing sponsors?

“It is no use saying it is a player who has posted something abusive. By association he is bringing the club into it because he is a player.

“It is all of our responsibilities to stamp this stuff out.

“Please, please, please get the message out it is not acceptable. We want to show cricket in a great light because it is a great game.

“Let’s use social media as a platform to show our game in its best light.”

Among the other speakers was Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, who announced a new partnership between his county and Devon.

One of the first benefits of the partnership is an offer to clubs in Devon to send their volunteers and members to a match at Somerset as guests with a free ticket.

Devon Day at Taunton is June 30 when Hampshire are the opposition.

All Stars youngsters and their coaches from all over the West Country, not just Devon, have been invited to Taunton on July 28 when Somerset are playing Sussex.

A further thank-you day for All Stars cricket facilitators who work in clubs with 5-8 year olds was also announced. The diary date is August 30 when Middlesex are the visitors.

Details of how to take advantage of the free-ticket offer will be posted on the Devon Cricket Board website in early April.

After hearing the main speakers, the conference broke up into four groups with opportunities to swap ideas and hear new ones.

The seminars were:

Showcasing your club

Helping young players thrive

Transforming women’s and girls cricket

Creating a modern and welcoming club

Delegates listening to Matt Theedom speaking