|
| |
ECB Junior Cricketers playing in Adult Matches
Introduction
The ECB has issued the following guidance covering the participation of young
cricketers in adult matches. This guidance applies to boys and girls and any
reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her. Age groups are
based
on the age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the
current
season.
Guidance for Clubs and Leagues
All clubs must recognise that they have a duty of care towards all young players
who
are representing the club. This duty of care also extends to Leagues that allow
the
participation of young players in adult teams in their League. The duty of care
should
be interpreted in two ways:
Not to place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk
to
that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the
relative skills of the player.
Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a
position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against
adult players.
In addition the following specific requirements apply to young players in adult
matches:
All young players who have not reached their 18th birthday must wear a
helmet with a faceguard when batting and when standing up to the stumps
when keeping wicket. Parental consent not to wear a helmet should not be
accepted in adult matches. A young player acting as a runner must also wear
a helmet even if the player he is running for is not doing so.
The current ECB fielding regulations must be adhered to and enforced by the
umpires and captain. The umpires are empowered by these fielding
regulations to stop the game immediately if a young player comes within the
restricted distance.
The umpires and the opposing captain must be notified of the age group of all
players participating in an adult match who are in the Under 19 age group or
younger even if the player is not a fast bowler. This requirement also covers
any young player taking the field as a substitute fielder. The ECB Team
Sheet cards are freely available to facilitate this.
Any player in the Under 13 age group and younger must have explicit written
consent from a parent or guardian before participating in adult matches.
Clubs must ensure that their player registration procedures ensure that
consent is obtained. The guidance related to changing and showering (see
Safe Hands Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy) must be adhered
to.
Any club wishing to play a player in the Under 11 age group in an adult
League or Cup match must obtain the explicit prior approval of the League or
Cup management before the player can play. Approval should only be given
to exceptionally talented players. It is recommended that advice is sought
from the County Age Group Coach or other ECB Level 3 coach as
appropriate.
Clubs and Leagues can apply more strict restrictions on the participation of
young
players in adult matches at their discretion. It is strongly recommended that a
parent,
guardian or other identified responsible adult is present whenever a player in
the
ECB Junior Cricketers playing in Adult Matches
ECB Cricket Department 2007 Season and beyond
Under 13 age group or younger plays in an adult match. This could include the
captain or other identified adult player taking responsibility for the young
player.
This guidance applies to all cricket in England and Wales from the beginning of
the
2007 season.
Fielding Regulations
For reference, the ECB Fielding Regulations are as follows:
No young player in the Under 15 age group or younger shall be allowed to
field closer than 8 yards (7.3 metres) from the middle stump, except behind
the wicket on the off side, until the batsman has played at the ball.
For players in the Under 13 age group and below the distance is 11 yards (10
metres).
These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.
Should a young player in these age groups come within the restricted
distance the umpire must stop the game immediately and instruct the fielder
to move back.
In addition any young player in the Under 16 to Under 18 age groups, who
has not reached the age of 18, must wear a helmet and, for boys, an
abdominal protector (box) when fielding within 6 yards (5.5 metres) of the bat,
except behind the wicket on the off side. Players should wear appropriate
protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they feel
at risk.
These fielding regulations are applicable to all cricket in England and Wales.
Questions and comments
All questions and comments on this guidance should be addressed to Frank Kemp,
Head of Operations Non First Class Cricket, at Lords frank.kemp@ecb.co.uk,
0207 432 1216, fax 0207 289 5619, or by post to ECB Cricket Department, Lords
Cricket Ground, London NW8 8QZ.
|
