In partnership with the ECB and Chance to Shine, Devon Cricket are requesting ‘expressions of interest’ from clubs to pilot a programme which aims to introduce cricket to children aged from 5 to 8.  We aim for a total of 6 clubs in this pilot and will be selecting clubs based on a variety of different criteria so that we have a cross section of size, geography and capability.

Our aims for this pilot are:

  • Increase cricket activity for 5-8 year olds in the school and club environment
  • Develop consistency of message in both settings to aid transition
  • Improve generic movement skills for children, using cricket as the vehicle
  • Make it easier for new volunteers to support and deliver in the club environment
  • Use fun small sided games to enthuse new children and volunteers to follow and play the game

This programme will be delivered in both schools and clubs and look to engage younger children and their parents.  If your club feels that increasing the number of young players and engaging new volunteers to the club is a good thing, then this will hopefully be of interest.

The pilot will begin on Thursday June 9th with a training evening for schools’ coaches and club volunteers.  This training will involve looking at the programme and learning the key games and skills within it, as well as looking at how to make sessions fun and engaging for this age group.

Following this, each club will work with 2 schools to deliver a 4 week programme in curriculum time.  However, the 4th week will be an after school club, delivered at the club with involvement from club coaches and volunteers.  This will act as a transition session before a further 4 sessions are run at the club.

When children arrive for their first 'club' session (w/c 11 July) they will be given their own kitbag - the contents are likely to be a bag, t-shirt, bat and ball, however this may change.  This kit will be theirs to keep and use at club sessions, school or anywhere else they choose!

This programme will all be free of charge to children and clubs because it is a pilot.

If you feel your club would benefit from this pilot and would like to express an interest, please email Matt Cooke with details of your club and how you can ensure you engage new volunteers to run a programme for 5-8 year olds.  

The closing date for expressions of interest is Monday 30th May.

Please see below a list of programme expectations for Devon Cricket, clubs and schools:

Devon Cricket will:

  • Train and support club coaches and volunteers
  • Source suitable schools coaches to deliver and support clubs
  • Provide appropriate equipment
  • Produce resources (session plans/activity ideas) in appropriate language for each setting (school and club)
  • Monitor & evaluate the programme and produce case studies

Participating clubs will:

  • Commit to the pilot from June 9th until August 1st
  • Engage volunteers to undertake training (2 hours max.) and deliver the programme in the club.
  • Supply a coach to deliver in schools (Devon Cricket will do this if the club are unable, however the preference if for this to be a coach from the club)
  • Help to evaluate success against the aims outlined above
  • Host a transition afternoon for partner primaries to attend
  • Provide a regular, dedicated 5-8 year olds training afternoon / evening at the club with appropriate adult:player ratios for 4 weeks (5 including the transition session)

Participating schools will:

  • Engage with the club volunteer(s) and coaches
  • Promote the club they are associated with
  • Commit to 4 curriculum sessions, 1 of which will be delivered at the club
  • Support each session with a teacher and teaching assistants where necessary