YCB Focus Clubs

The following Clubs have signed up to the commitments required to attain Focus Club standard.

West Yorkshire

Almondbury Wesleyans
Blackley
Bradford & Bingley CC
Burley-in-Wharfedale CC
Castleford CC
Cleckheaton CC
Copley CC
Denby Dale CC
Hunslet Nelson CC
Illingworth CC
Keighley CC
Kirkburton CC
Kirkstall Educational CC
Lightcliffe CC
Methley CC
Ossett CC
Otley CC
Pudsey Congs CC
Pudsey St Lawrence CC
Rastrick CC
Saltaire CC
Steeton CC
Undercliffe CC
Wetherby CC
Wrenthorpe CC

North Yorkshire & Teesside

Knaresborough CC
Malton and Old Malton CC
Marton CC
Mulgrave CC
Redcar CC
Richmondshire CC
Saltburn CC
Scarborough CC
Settle CC
Spofforth CC
Stokesley CC
York CC

South Yorkshire

Anston CC
Barnsley CC
Bradfield CC
Brodsworth Main CC
Darton CC
Doncaster Town CC
Elsecar CC
Greenmoor CC
Hallam CC
Monk Bretton CC
Rotherham Town CC
Sheffield Collegiate CC
Sheffield Utd CC
Sheffield Works CC
Shiregreen CC
Silkstone Utd CC
Tickhill CC
Upper Haugh CC
Warmsworth CC
Wath CC
Whitley Hall CC
Wickersley OV CC

 East Yorkshire (Humber)

Beverley Town CC
Bridlington CC
Drax CC
Driffrield CC
Fenner CC
Goole Town CC
Hornsea CC
Hull Zingari CC
Londesborough Park CC
Pocklington CC
Selby CC
Sewerby CC
Stamford Bridge CC
Sutton CC (Hull)
Woodhouse Grange CC

Focus Clubs

As part of a Government and Sport England initiative and in preparation for the ECB “Building Partnerships”, ECB has asked County Boards to identify a number of cricket clubs who they would like to closely work with and support. These clubs have been named as “Focus Clubs”. The county of Yorkshire is very large with hundreds of clubs playing cricket. It is therefore evident that we cannot assist every club in the first instance.

The YCB through the CDM’s have identified 76 clubs in this initial tranche. It is anticipated that within 18 months, we will be able to help another tranche of clubs through then network of Cricket Development Groups and Area Cricket Councils. The YCB acknowledge the tremendous amount of time and effort that cricket clubs do put into the development of junior and senior cricket. Focus Clubs have signed a non-binding agreement entitled “Focus Club Memorandum of Understanding” detailing the benefits of being a Focus Club, but also what is required from the Club. The YCB annual targets are based around the performance of the Focus Clubs.

A Focus Club can be any size of club, but must they must have a junior section and commit to the criteria below. Future Focus Clubs will be identified through Area Councils, Development Groups and the Cricket Development Managers.

Focus Club Criteria

Part of the Focus Club Criteria is to achieve Club Mark. A large number of clubs have now registered and are working towards accreditation. This scheme seeks to help ensure the safest possible junior development programme that fully incorporates issues such as Child Welfare.

Other criteria include

The club is affiliated to the ECB via YCB and have a junior section

The club is committed to achieving the objectives within “Building Partnerships” via YCB Plan for Cricket
Work in partnership with ECB, YCB to deliver high quality agreed development plan outcomes
Work with District Development Groups – ensure integrated community links
Produce a long term Development Plan – increase capacity and improve quality
Produce annual on-line figures for ECB, Government and YCB
Creating formal links with local community groups especially schools and Sports Colleges
Commit to monitoring and evaluation – demonstrating impact locally
Links with key partners
Increasing participation and volunteers; development of players and coaches
Sharing best practice with other clubs
Sign up for NatWest Cricket Force

CCDP (Community Club Development Programme)

During February 2003, ECB announced that cricket will be receiving direct funding from Government. To this end the Community Club Development Fund was formed. The fund was basically for facility/pitch/practice upgrade. The YCB CCDP Committee initially identified Focus Clubs who met the ECB criteria. 23 of our Focus Clubs were identified and all have received some facility upgrade. These clubs have worked so very hard during the initial years, collating figures, working towards Club Mark and writing a high quality Development Plan. Their figures, which include all aspects of club development, are recorded on-line annually for ECB, YCB, Government and Sport England purposes. The YCB acknowledge the clubs’ tremendous work in achieving CCDP.

Andrew Watson
Director of Development