The Devon Cricket Performance Pathway is set for some exciting changes from September 2024 onwards.
A number of the upcoming changes to the Performance Pathway are in line with the recommendations outlined in the ICEC Report, published in June 2023.
Performance Pathway 2024 Demographics
Our 2024 Performance Pathway is currently comprised of 348 players spread across 15 squads, with a demographic breakdown illustrated in the image below.
We have seen continued positive changes in the demographics of our Performance Pathway, with sustained increases in the percentage of state/grammar school and non-White British players currently representing Devon in performance cricket.
State/grammar school players now make up almost 57.5% of the entire Performance Pathway (up from 56% in 2023), whilst 10% of players now identify as non-White British (up from 6% in 2022).
The Devon Cricket Foundation remains committed to ensuring cricket is a game for all. Find out more about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion plan, #OneGame, here.
Changes to the Performance Pathway
Removal of Match Fees
We are also making further changes to the Performance Pathway to ensure it is accessible to all by removing all match fee charges from this summer onwards.
The removal of match fee charges for Pathway matches represents a significant annual saving and has been positively received by parents:
"This is going to make a huge difference to so many families and hopefully increase access to this brilliant sport."
South West Development Camps
Further changes taking place this summer include the decision for our Under 13 Boys and Under 13 Girls not to attend cricket festivals, as they have done in previous years. This decision has not been taken lightly and has been taken with Recommendation 40, Sub-recommendation B of the ICEC Report in mind.
However, we believe there are real benefits that come from residential cricket activities that shouldn’t be lost, as well as providing intensive, back-to-back cricket opportunities. With this in mind, we have strengthened our partnership with Somerset and Cornwall to launch two inaugural South West Development Camps for our Under 13 Boys and Under 13 Girls over the May half-term.
Future Performance Pathway Parity
We are proud to announce that we will be achieving complete parity between the Boys' and Girls' Performance Pathways at County Age Group level from September 2024.
For the first time in the Performance Pathway's history, the Girls' County Age Group Pathway will mirror the Boys' with the addition of an Under 14 Girls and an Under 16 Girls side. More detailed information on these changes to follow.
This unfortunately means that there will no longer be an Under 12 Boys side from September onwards. Again, this has been a difficult decision and has been made with Recommendation 40 of the ICEC Report in mind.
