Secondary School work

In much the same way as the GCB realises the importance of working and driving Primary School cricket it also clearly understands the need to continue providing opportunities to players who are already playing and also to players who are yet to start.

Cricketers between the ages of 11 and 18 still have so much room for improvement so providing High Quality Competition is essential for their development.

To support the new cricketers and also those playing already the GCB provides opportunities for all ability levels to get involved. These opportunities can be seen on the competitions.

In 2010 the GCB delivered to the greatest number of secondary schools yet. Delivery took place as follows:

• Chance to shine – 2 Schools
• Sport Unlimited Bristol – 7 schools
• Sport Unlimited South Gloucestershire – 6 schools
• Independent Schools – 3 schools
• Lady Taverners delivery – 14 schools

On the back of this work the following was a result:

• Increased partnership work with the Competition Managers of Active Gloucestershire and WESPORT.
• Yr 7 and Yr 8 Inter Cricket Festivals for the first time
• Appointment of a Development Officer to work specifically in an area in need of support
• An increase from 9 teams involved in the Lady Taverners Competitions in 2009 to 22 in 2010
• A new Gloucestershire Youth League being set up at U13/U15 and U17 for the longer version of the game and to support the schools and youth association work
• Colston’s School U15 won through to the Boys Regional Finals at Exeter University
• Colston’s Collegiate School Girls U13 won the National Lady Taverners Competition at Lords
• Several young cricketers were identified as having talent and went on to play District U13 or U15 Cricket

Young Leaders Award

As well as Competition the GCB can also offer Secondary Schools the chance of leadership courses for their students in the form of the ECB Young Leaders Award.

All sports need coaches and officials and it is though that the new ECB Young Leaders Award will give 14 to 18 year olds the 1st first opportunity to get on the coaching or officiating ladder.

The GCB would like to deliver a Young Leaders Award (YLA) Course to each SSP per year in terms 3 or 4. The reason for terms 3 or 4 is to enable the students who take part to become linked to one of the GCB festivals so that they can start working toward their 10 hours of voluntary work in order to get their full CfT Voluntary Hours Certificate (this can then be used for evidence in logging volunteer hours for a range of volunteer and sports leadership awards).

The aims of the course are to:

• Raise cricket profile within a Young Leadership role
• Inspire Young Leaders to get actively involved with cricket
• Help provide additional support for KWIK cricket tournaments
• To help develop generic leaderships skills in a cricket context
• Identify potential pathways for Young Leaders in cricket

If you would like your school to be involved then please make contact with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .