We are delighted to announce that the West Devon Palladium Youth League has been incorporated into the Devon Youth Cricket League ahead of the 2025 season.

Run by the Devon Cricket Foundation, the Devon Youth Cricket League (DYCL) was formed in 2024 and initially incorporated the East and South Devon Youth Cricket Leagues.

Under the leadership of Competitions Officer Stephen Bourke, the DYCL celebrated a successful inaugural season which saw 152 league teams and 97 cup teams, aged 8-19, from across 49 clubs compete in 1,000 fixtures.

The incorporation of the West Devon Palladium Youth League (WDYL) and the growth of the DYCL will see it expand to over 220 league teams and 150 cup teams competing in approximately 1,850 fixtures in 2025.

The West Devon Palladium Youth League was formed in 1984 to give young people in the area the opportunity to play competitive cricket against other local clubs. Heather Knight, Lewis Gregory and James Burke have all gone on to excel in the sport after playing in the league.

Plymouth CS&R CC against Plymouth CC in 2019. credit: All photos: Al Stewart | no unauthorised re-use

"Martin Webb originally took charge of the league's administration," says WDYL Chair, Malcolm Orchard. "After he left for more prestigious roles in the sport at the turn of the century, Andy Alford stepped in and has since worked tirelessly to ensure that local youngsters have had the opportunity to be introduced to and play cricket.

"Through Palladium Building Supplies' support, who sponsored the league for 40 years, the league was able to expand to many age groups and teams over time.

"With fewer volunteers prepared to assist, Andy took on almost all the roles within the league, and anyone who has seen his level of dedication has been in awe and extremely grateful for the time and effort that he has put in.

Malcolm was keen to thank everyone who made the WDYL a success over its four-decade-long lifespan: "I would like to thank all committee members, past and recent, the army of club coaches, managers and family members who have taught thousands of children the value of sportsmanship, competitiveness and respect, as well as cricket skill, over the last 40 years."

Speaking on the latest incorporation into the DYCL, Devon Cricket Foundation CEO, Matt Theedom, said:

"We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Malcolm and his committee on the great work they have done to support junior cricket in Plymouth and West Devon throughout the years.

"We would like to especially thank Andy for his near 30 years of dedicated service to junior cricket in West Devon across various different roles, and Palladium Building Supplies for their 40-year long support of the league.

"Whilst it is sad to be losing the contribution of volunteers who have dedicated decades to running the league, we have seen first-hand the benefits the DYCL brings in its consistency of rules, formats and competition in ensuring that all children have an equal opportunity to flourish, and we are excited for West Devon to be part of this."