Gloucestershire County Cricket League

Draft Development Plan

 I        INTRODUCTION

The Gloucestershire County Cricket League clubs have made clear to their committee their desire for ever improving quality of facilities and of the cricket played and the committee fully supports this requirement.  The committee is also very aware of the need to avoid unnecessary travelling, and the desire of the authorities to see this happen.   

This Draft Development Plan, for consultation with the clubs during the 2010 season, sets out a proposed direction of travel.  It will be upgraded as a result of the feedback from the clubs, with the first rule changes worked up via the Divisional Meetings for the October 2010 AGM.

I        STRUCTURE

Key points: · A league of all the best teams in Gloucestershire except those strong enough to play in multi-county leagues · Limited in size · Entry criteria laid down, and only applicants that meet them are accepted · Working closely with WEPL above and the District leagues below to ensure a contiguous pyramid · Supporting GCB initiatives to develop cricket· Divisions for the stronger second etc. teams, who are also free to find their own level in the whole league.

The County League has won respect for its change for the 2008 season to implement a “straight through” league allowing stronger 2^nd XIs to play 1^st XIs to ensure that all teams have appropriately competitive cricket.  The committee has been thinking further about this matter for some time, with additional focus being provided by the WEPL Working Party in the autumn of 2009 and feedback from the District Feeder Leagues about the lack of a relegation protocol.

Appendix A details the outline proposal that is being built on by the GCB Senior Clubs and Competitions Development Group.  It is recognised by the County Board that if the proposed changes are adopted, a “Cheltenham and Gloucester Feeder League” will be required to run alongside the current ones for the Cotswolds, Stroud and the Forest of Dean.
 

II      STANDARDS

Key points: · All clubs have high quality facilities on the field and in the pavilion · All teams play disciplined cricket in the spirit of the game · More appointed umpires and more scorers at County League games with a clear plan to achieve this, focusing on Division 1 and 2 to start with · Clubs and the League are well administered.

The GCCL will publish clear guidelines for all aspects of facilities, so that clubs inside and outside the County League have clarity on the standards required.

We will use marking systems that are both as objective as possible and simple to use. To start the new process, clubs will be asked to complete and return a Facilities self-assessment form.  Away team markings will continue to be used and marks obtained from independent umpires and other appropriate sources.

The League Committee will continually assess the standards in all the areas mentioned in the key points above, and will require clubs to act appropriately when the standards are below par. When a club is notified that it needs to improve in an area, we will require from the club a development plan and will check that the plan is put into action and is effective. Clubs may be refused promotion, or ultimately removed from the League, if their facilities or disciplinary or administrative performance fail to achieve the required standard.  The initial focus will be on Divisions 1 and 2.

 To avoid disputes that occur during the season, teams should have a non-playing scorer.  The focus would be initially a requirement for Divisions 1 and 2 before moving down through the divisions.

We will, through support of GCB and GACO initiatives that provide publicity and training, seek to make a considerable increase in the number of umpires available for appointment, and as numbers increase, umpires will be appointed down through the divisions. If the voluntary approach fails, we will consider steps such as requiring teams to:

·        Supply a non-playing umpire, starting with in Divisions 1 and 2

·        Provide one umpire each weekend who will be asked to stand at a nearby game not involving their own team.

To ensure fairness and that volunteer League officials’ time is not wasted, in addition to fines for administration failures, points will be deducted when appropriate. Similarly, points will be deducted for serious or persistent disciplinary offences.

We will continually seek feedback on, and monitor the effectiveness of:

·        Communication between the League and the clubs

·        The League’s internal administration.

 III     PLAYING REGULATIONS

 The League will endeavour to have the most appropriate playing rules for its clubs’ level of cricketing skill.   It will be guided by its own experiences, experience in other similar leagues and guidance from the ECB and GCB. Where there are differences between WEPL playing rules and the GCCL, we look to have rules for the highest, or higher, divisions that are the same as those of WEPL.

 Slow over rates have been reported as a problem. We will investigate penalties for matches where there are independent umpires who can impartially judge the circumstances. (NB It is unfair to assume that the fielding side is always at fault.)

To maximise the amount of cricket played, rules are needed that allow a result when the second innings length is curtailed by stoppages after the first innings has been completed. With this and other measures that encourage play when conditions are less than ideal, we will reduce the number of “no result” games. Two possible developments to be considered are to:

·        A move from average to total match points for league table ordering

·        The adoption of the WEPL rules for rain-affected matches.

To respond to the increasing numbers of young people playing cricket, and their need to be fully involved in the match, a reduction in the number of overs per bowler is a likely change for consideration.  This is a change already implemented by WEPL.

Drafted by: Ian Dicks, Brian Hudson and Andy Russell

Approved by the Committee: 13 April 2010

Appendix 1

 Gloucestershire County Cricket League

Proposed restructure following proposals for WEPL produced by Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire CDMs – based on start of 2010 divisions

 -          CDMs’ proposals means that some current Gloucestershire Division clubs start playing multi-county cricket – is this appropriate?

-          In structure below, based on CDM proposals, 21 teams transfer from WEPL to GCCL

-          County League reduced from 93 to 80 teams

-          32 teams transfer to District Leagues.  Many will fit with the existing leagues (Cotswold (C), Forest (F), Stroud (S)), but a Cheltenham and Gloucester League (C&G) may be a requirement

-          Everything below is a “starter for 10” for illustration purposes.  Hopefully the initiative will come to fruition, but there is sure to be negotiation along the way!

Teams transferred to Feeder Leagues and proposed destination