Sport England endorses ECB’s Strategic Plan

16 March 2005

The ECB and Sport England have announced that they have recently reviewed cricket's investment in grass roots cricket and progress with Cricket's Strategic Plan.

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England, commented: “Cricket has provided Sport England with detailed information taken from the ECB's latest accounts which clearly demonstrates that ECB invests 16.1% of it's income in grass roots cricket compared with the 8% invested by Cricket Australia and a target of 5% investment in this area which we set in 1999.

“In addition to this funding the first class counties have been investing £5million per annum in grass roots cricket and this research has been invaluable in correcting misconceptions concerning cricket's investment in all areas of the game.

“Sport England has been directly involved in the development of Cricket's Strategic Plan which will be launched next month and we welcome the positive progress being made by the ECB and it's Stakeholders in streamlining it's governance and delivering a progressive Whole Sport Plan for the next five years.”

David Collier, Chief Executive of ECB, commented: “Cricket has invested substantial amounts in grass roots cricket in addition to successful England teams. We are very proud that 16.1% of our income has been invested in grass roots cricket.

“Our Strategic Plan is scheduled to be unveiled in late April and will include additional programmes to fund facility development, expand club, schools and youth initiatives thus building upon our investment in recent years in these critical areas of the game.

“We have an excellent working relationship with Sport England. Our mutual desire is to generate additional funding from both the public and private sectors to benefit the development of sport throughout England and thus ensure the future success of England teams and provide widespread opportunities for young people to participate in sport.”