With preparations for the 2026 National Programmes just around the corner, we're looking at the impact the programmes have had at clubs across the county and at those clubs looking to get involved for the first time this summer.

The National Youth Programmes Virtual Kick-Off Meeting, during which the ECB will share details and direction for the delivery of All Stars and Dynamos this year, will take place on Thursday, 29 January at 6:30pm; with participating clubs and centres invited to attend.

Clubs and centres that have run National Programmes previously will receive an email with an agenda and instructions on how to join the Kick-Off Meeting. New clubs and centres wishing to join the meeting should email nationalprogrammes@devoncricket.co.uk

2025 was a record-breaking year for National Programmes nationally, with over 104,000 participants across over 39,000 sessions nationwide. The programmes continue to be a huge success for clubs in Devon:

Chulmleigh & Mid Devon CC

With the support of the Devon Cricket Foundation, Chulmleigh & Mid Devon utilised National Programmes in 2024 as a means to revive their once thriving junior setup that disappeared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The plan was to bring [the junior setup] back for local kids," said Chair Rodney Davies at the time. "We saw that All Stars had worked well elsewhere, so we thought: 'Why not here?'"

The club have since grown the number of participants to just shy of 30 and are set to run the programmes again in 2026.

Heathcoat CC

Heathcoat have long enjoyed a thriving National Programmes setup, but in 2023 the club's Junior Coordinator, Pete Guest, introduced the 'All Stars 4 All' initiative, which saw local businesses provide funding for All Star places aimed at children who otherwise would not have been able to access the sport.

Since its inception, the 'All Stars 4 All' section has accounted for approximately 10% of the club's All Stars sign-ups.

Dawlish Dynamos

National Programmes can have an impact even on a community without a cricket club. Dawlish had a cricketing tradition dating back to the 19th century, until Dawlish and Teignmouth CC closed in 2008.

15 years later, Robin Poole led a movement to reestablish the sport in the town and, with the help of Devon Cricket and Teignbridge District Council, and funding from the ECB and Sky Sports, set up a Dynamos centre on the existing cricket field at Sandy Lane.

Exwick CC

All Stars and Dynamos have also helped revitalise struggling clubs in the county, such as Exwick CC.

"All Stars saved our club, it has turned us into a key part of the local community, with a thriving junior section and a related boost in adult playing numbers, teams and volunteers," says Simon Hukku.

"Now, every year the club grows, and we can see the young players emerging to keep our club going long into the future."

Clubs New to National Programmes

A number of clubs across Devon are running National Programmes for the first time in 2026, with many aiming to utilise the programmes to develop and grow their junior networks.

"We have decided to run All Stars this year to build on the success of our already thriving junior section," says Filleigh CC's Simon Prideaux. "We hope it will enable us to provide more cricket for more children and help us engage with parents."

Aaron Chandler at Kingsbridge CC is looking to use the sessions "to create a fun, inclusive, and engaging environment that encourages young players to build fundamental skills while developing a lifelong connection to cricket," adding that they "plan to involve parent volunteers and older junior players who are keen to begin their coaching journey."

Plymstock CC are also "running All Stars and Dynamos to support and encourage a new generation of cricketers and help them develop a passion for and enjoyment of the game." Roz Alford, however, wants to take the impact of the programmes further, hoping the club "can also support the whole community, particularly families who are currently travelling to other areas to access these opportunities and provide a clear pathway into our junior section."