Clubmark review update

Further to the surveys carried out in November concerning ECB Clubmark, we were extremely pleased with the response and are happy to be able to provide an interim update on the review process.

Two surveys were devised - one to canvas the views of grassroots clubs, and the other aimed at County Board representatives involved in administering ECB Clubmark, including CDMs, CDOs and Nominated Officers.

Responses were received from representatives of 23 County Cricket Boards and over 300 clubs based throughout England and Wales.

In total 80% of respondents to the club survey were from ECB Clubmark accredited clubs, a further 12% are currently working towards accreditation and 8% are not currently involved in the Clubmark process.

The main motivation stated for clubs to become ECB Clubmark accredited was to improve standards and development, followed by a desire to access further funding streams and the wish to be recognised as a safe and well-run club for juniors.

Overall, responses indicated that ECB Clubmark is valued as a very useful tool to ensure high standards in club cricket. An overwhelming majority feel that all four sections of the current Clubmark folder are essential to ensure that clubs are run effectively, and that the support resources and templates provided are a useful aid, without which the process would be a lot more difficult.

Some important comments were also received suggesting changes that could be made. We have taken these comments on board and have sought to make immediate improvements wherever possible.

As a result, we have undertaken a reprint of the ECB Clubmark folder which will be available from the end of February. However, it is important to stress that we have made changes only where it was felt that amendment would improve the process and make the folder as user-friendly as possible.

Some of the issues raised which have been immediately actionned include:

• The deletion of points of duplication both within the ECB Clubmark criteria and the support resources that appear on the accompanying CD ROM.
• Clarification of criteria points concerning insurance requirements, supervision ratios, vetting checks, active partnerships with school and community groups and equitable pricing policy.
• Additional support resources and clarification for the Knowing your Club and its Community - One Game section.

A full list of amendments will be posted on the ECB website in the Clubmark section when the updated folder is available for distribution.

In addition, some of the issues raised require further consideration, or will take longer to implement effectively. Therefore, these issues will be carried forward for further consultation and feedback from both the relevant ECB departments and club and County Cricket Board representatives, including those who offered their further assistance during the survey responses, through the means of focus groups.

Issues to be taken forward for further consideration include:
* The availability of training courses and the requirement to repeat them every three years
* The amount of time and administration involved in successfully completing the ECB Clubmark process
* Recruitment policies and job descriptions
* ECB CA membership for all qualified coaches
* Club Development Plans and the entering and duplication of information on play-cricket.com
* Automatic non-voting membership rights for parents
* Further explanation of One Game and the One Game Pledge
* Length of time between accreditation and re-accreditation
* Expansion of ECB Clubmark to include additional areas and the introduction of stages of accreditation

Following the further consultation on the above issues it is expected that another reprint of the ECB Clubmark folder will need to be undertaken in advance of the 2011 cricket season.

ECB Clubmark is a working programme which will inevitably require updating and amending from time to time. However, we will only seek to make changes where we believe that they will improve or simplify the process, or where they are required by law.

Some amendments will be legislation driven and therefore must be implemented. The ECB has little or no discretion in such matters. For example, further changes will result from the new Vetting and Barring Scheme for individuals who want to work with children or vulnerable adults once the government releases sport specific guidance, which is expected in the coming months.

This underlines the importance for everyone involved in the Clubmark process to keep a regular check on the Clubmark section of the ECB website so that they are aware of any changes.

In particular, clubs must expect that the criteria will not remain exactly the same over the three year period from accreditation to re-accreditation and therefore will need to be aware of any updates so that they are in a position to meet the requirements for each Annual Health Check.

Once again, the ECB would like to thank everyone concerned for their participation in the review process and continued support for ECB Clubmark. We will provide further updates on the review in due course.