ECB Reports Increase In Participation

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that there was an increase in participation across recreational cricket in 2008, particularly amongst women and disabled players.

Overall, there was a 24% jump in participation, with a near 50% increase in the number of women and girls taking part in the sport. There was also a 137% increase in disability cricket participation and a 30% increase in black and ethnic minority participation.

Peter Ackerley, ECB Head of Development, credited his department’s effort to provide more opportunities for more people to play cricket. He claimed that through the Sky Sports Coach Education Programme, ECB was able to provide coaching in schools and clubs – especially for women and disabled players.

‘By creating a strategic development pathway between clubs and schools which includes the delivery of quality coaching, cricket is a key provider of community sport,’ Ackerley said.

Published for the second year using data collated from ECB Focus Clubs across England and Wales, the report also recorded a 48% increase in Years 5,6 and 7 school participation and a 33% increase in 5-16 year old participation across both schools and clubs.

Additionally, the governing body recorded a 26% increase in volunteers, a 14% increase in coaching sessions at clubs and a 13% increase in Level 1 and Level 2 qualified coaches.