Updated ECB governance guidance for incorporated clubs and cricket sections within multi-sport organisations
The Devon Cricket Foundation (DCF) is sharing updated guidance for cricket clubs and sections within multi-sport organisations, clubs operating under Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), and those with Articles of Association.
The guidance explains how clubs can meet ECB governance requirements through their existing arrangements, including main governing documents, Club Rules and cricket-section rules. It will help Committees, Directors and Trustees identify what already works, what needs updating and where further support may be needed.
Two supporting PDFs are available: DCF's Practical Guidance and the updated October 2026 ECB Club Constitution Checklist.
Review the documents together
Cricket clubs operate within different legal and organisational structures. Some are companies limited by guarantee with Articles of Association and separate Club Rules. Others are sections within a wider sports organisation governed by a company Board or CIO trustees.
The starting point is to establish which organisation is responsible for cricket and review its governing documents alongside any cricket-specific rules.
The updated ECB checklist recognises that, within a multi-sport organisation, cricket-specific provisions can sit in separate section rules where appropriate, provided they do not conflict with the main governing document.
Where the cricket club is separately constituted, its own governing documents should be reviewed alongside any relevant arrangements with the wider organisation.
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Existing Articles do not need to be replaced
The ECB has confirmed that existing incorporated clubs do not need to replace their Articles of Association with the ECB Template Articles. The focus is on what the governing documents achieve together.
For the requirements covered by the ECB clarification, formally adopted Club Rules can demonstrate compliance where the Articles do not contradict them. Wording with the same substantive effect is acceptable.
Where these conditions are met, clubs can incorporate the relevant provisions into their Articles when they next amend them for another reason. A standalone amendment simply to reproduce the template is not required.
Requirements categorised as "Required in general" can be met through rules, policies or practice. These include Board composition, meeting frequency, managing conflicts of interest and financial authorisation.
Conflicting provisions still need correcting
This flexibility does not remove the underlying requirements. Any provision that actively conflicts with an ECB requirement must be corrected.
Examples include proposer and seconder requirements for membership, blackballing, provisions preventing an independent appeal, or restrictions preventing the Club Safeguarding Officer from joining the Board.
A separate Club Rule cannot override a contradictory provision in the main governing document.
Safeguarding within different structures
For a company operating the cricket club, the ECB's practical direction is to appoint the Club Safeguarding Officer as a Director through the appropriate appointment process.
CIOs have trustees and a constitution rather than Directors and Articles. Clubs operating within these structures should contact DCF to confirm how safeguarding representation should work within their particular arrangements.
Clubs must also adopt and implement a separate Club Safeguarding Policy Statement.
The supporting documents
DCF Practical Guidance
ECB Accreditation Update - Practical guidance for multi-sport organisations explains how to review existing arrangements, including Articles, Club Rules and CIO constitutions. It covers safeguarding appointments, delegated responsibilities, conflicting provisions and practical review steps.
Updated ECB Checklist
The Club Constitution Checklist - Updated October 2026 sets out the individual requirements and distinguishes between provisions required in governing documents, requirements that can be met through rules, policies or practice, and recommended good governance.
Use the checklist alongside the DCF guidance to review your club's arrangements.
What should clubs do next?
- Share both documents with the cricket committee and, where relevant, the parent organisation's Directors or trustees.
- Identify the governing body responsible for cricket.
- Review the main governing document, Club Rules, section rules and relevant policies together.
- Record any gaps, conflicts and actions required.
- Contact DCF where the structure or appropriate next steps are unclear.
Support from the Devon Cricket Foundation
For support with your club's arrangements, contact your club's Regional Club Development Officer.
| North & East Devon |
| Antony Cox antony.cox@devoncricket.co.uk 07375 323421 |
| South & West Devon |
| Ian McCombes ian.mccombes@devoncricket.co.uk 07939 016149 |
