ECB Statement
As a result of the UK Government’s new national COVID-19 restrictions, and subject to Members of Parliament voting today and the publication of bespoke guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport [DCMS], ECB understands all organised recreational cricket activity indoors and outdoors will be suspended from 5th November until 2nd December in England. Professional cricket that is classified as elite by the UK Government can continue as an exemption during this period.
Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; and not including alcohol), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery.
The UK Government has confirmed that school sport can continue as an exemption during this period but university sport must be suspended. Coach education programmes can continue where this cannot be undertaken online.
The health and wellbeing of everyone in the cricket community has and remains our number one priority and we are in dialogue with DCMS about how recreational cricket activity can return safely once the national lockdown ends.
Devon Cricket position
As a direct consequence of the above Government and ECB position, we have reviewed our planned activity for the period of Lockdown 2.0, Nov 5th - Dec 2nd. Unfortunately, during this time we had a large amount of activity scheduled to take place which we have had to either cancel or postpone. Direct emails have either been sent to, or are working their way to players, parents, coaches, managers, venues, candidates, schools, clubs and Associations with details to the extent of these alterations.
We are very pleased that some of our staff are still able to deliver on the programmes that we run in schools, mainly Chance to Shine - Primary and Secondary Girls programmes. However, a large amount of cricket has been affected:
Programmes cancelled:
· Indoor Secondary Schools Competitions - boys and girls
Programmes postponed until Dec 3rd:
· Coach Development courses - Foundation 1 and Level 2 assessments
· Youth Development - assessments
· Youth Development - winter training
· County Age Group - winter training
· Emerging Player Programme
· Super 1's Hubs
· Tabel Cricket
· Wicketz Hubs
In addition, all Officials (Umpires & Scorers) training, Welfare Officer and safeguarding training, as well as DBS checks will now be completed online
Shortly after Lockdown is due to conclude we have a number of Coach Development courses scheduled to take place as well as the recommencement of our Youth Development, County Age Group and Emerging Player programmes in December. We also anticipate our Super 1's and Wicketz hubs will be back up and running.
At this stage, there is no reason to assume that these programmes will not be able to restart or begin. However, in the uncertain times that we are currently operating in we are doing everything we can to make contingencies if any of our programmes need to be cancelled, paused or extended further due to future lockdowns.
We would like to reassure all participants and prospective new participants on Coach Development courses or junior programmes that you should continue to register for programmes in the confidence that should any programmes be cancelled, postponed further, paused or reduced in length we will issue refunds for activity that is not delivered.
Finally, it has been our desire throughout this turbulent eight months that we do everything we possibly can to keep everyone that is involved in cricket safe; that we protect the jobs and livelihoods of those that work for Devon Cricket as well as those in our clubs; and that we work closely together with the whole Devon Cricket family to ensure that the cricket we love continues year on year. So far, together we have shown great resilience in the face of this pandemic and I see no reason for this to faulter.
We must remain flexible, patient and understanding of the situation, as well as each other. We know that there is more to life than cricket, however for many of us, cricket makes up a huge part of our lives.
Stay safe and stay well.
Best wishes
Matt Theedom
Managing Director - Devon Cricket
The new working hours for the Devon Cricket staff through Lockdown 2.0 are as follows:
Managing Director – Matt Theedom
Monday – Friday, 0900 -17:00
Coaching and Pathways Manager - Sandy Allen
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 09:00-17:00.
Women & Girls Development Officer​ - Ann-Marie Presswell
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 09:00-17:00.
Clubs & Programmes Manager - Alex Jopling
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 09:00 - 17:00
Wicketz Development Officer - Katie Holland
Wednesdays 09:00-17:00.
Super 1s Disability Development Officer - Lewis Fountain
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 09:00-17:00.
Club and Community Coaches
West Devon - Jonny Varcoe: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays 09:00-12:00
East Devon - Damian Price: Thursdays and Fridays 09:00-17:00.
North Devon - James Kemp: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays 09:00-13:30
Administration - Sara Perrett
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 09:00-17:00.
Finance & Website - Claire Colman
Fridays 09:00-17:00.
