Yorkshire cricket club earns prestigious ECB Clubmark

28 September 2007

Young cricketers in the Wetherby area of Yorkshire are riding high after their local club was recognised for the excellence of its' junior coaching.

Thorp Arch and Boston Spa Cricket Club has joined the elite of amateur clubs by earning a coveted ECB Clubmark.

ECB Clubmark status is only given to clubs whose junior sections meet stringent tests on the quality of their coaching, the safety of their environment for children and their commitment to youngsters of all abilities and ages.

Now county officials are hoping other clubs will follow Thorp Arch and Boston Spa CC’s lead. The development plan compiled by chairman Steve Thomas and his committee is being used as a model for others to follow.

Being awarded ECB Clubmark is a huge achievement for the 134-year-old club which has doubled the size of its junior section in just five years.

These days the Wetherby and District Junior League side has around 100 regular young players, a quarter of which are girls.

Said Mr Thomas: “We’ve got a great bunch of boys and girls who are all mad about cricket, and I know we have got some stars in the making. We have had a fantastic season and getting ECB Clubmark is the icing on the cake. Next year we’ll be able to run eight junior teams instead of our usual five”.

“Getting ECB Clubmark has taken a lot of hard work by the club, our parents and all our volunteer coaches who turn out week in week out. But it’s a great thing as it opens up a lot more opportunities for our young players. It means that parents know their children are in safe hands and get the best possible grounding in cricket skills.”

Yorkshire Cricket Board’s Cricket Development Manager Tony Bowry said the Thorp Arch and Boston Spa club was playing its part in the future success of the sport in the county.

“The club is also an active member of the Wetherby Cricket Development Group and also the West Yorkshire Women & Girls Cricket Association, which is promoting and developing the game in the schools and local community. This will ensure long term success in West Yorkshire, and raise the profile of cricket throughout the county at grassroots level,” he said.

There are a limited amount of spaces at the club’s junior training nights for next year. Call Junior Secretary Karen Watson on 01937 841027 if you’re interested in finding out more.