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National Programmes 2024 FAQs for Participants, Parents and Guardians

This document contains frequently asked questions covering the themes listed below relating to National Programmes in 2024

Existing National Programmes Equipment

National Programmes 2024 Participant Equipment

National Programmes 2024 Pricing

Participant Refunds

Delivery of National Programmes in 2024

Participant and Course Registration in 2024

Health and Safety

2025 National Programmes

Further Questions

 

Existing National Programmes Equipment

Which National Programmes products are affected?

The items listed below should no longer be used. We are seeking advice on the best ways to dispose or recycle and will update in due course.

Programme

Product Name

All Stars Cricket

All Stars Cricket Yellow Ball (Club)

Dynamos Cricket

Dynamos Cricket White Ball (Club)

All Stars Cricket

All Stars Cricket White Ball (Participant)

Dynamos Cricket

Dynamos Cricket Pink Ball (Club)

Dynamos Cricket

Yellow Batting Tee

All Stars Cricket & Dynamos Cricket

1 x 2 metre PVC banner

 

Are all of the All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket balls from 2016 affected?

The products tested were from 2023. We have not tested products from 2016 – 2022. Out of an abundance of caution the ECB is therefore making these communications in relation to all affected equipment from previous years. 

What do I do if I have one of the balls?

Out of an abundance of caution, existing All Stars and Dynamos plastic balls should not be used and we recommend using tennis balls instead.

The ECB has reported the matter to Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards are also aware.  Neither has indicated that a product recall is necessary in respect of the balls. 

Can children still use their All Stars Cricket bats from previous years?

Yes, children can use existing All Stars Cricket bats.

If bats and stumps are compliant, why aren’t they provided this year? 

Whilst we are confident that the existing bats and stumps do not contain the phthalates, we have not been able to receive a guarantee from the existing supplier, or from an alternative supplier, that new equipment would be compliant. 

Which National Programmes equipment has been tested?

The ECB has arranged independent testing for the bats and stumps given out to programme participants and can confirm these do not have the same issue, and can therefore continue to be used.

We are awaiting independent test results for some other items but can confirm that the items in the table below have all been tested. They do not have the same issue and can therefore continue to be used. 

Programme

Product Name

All Stars Cricket

Yellow Cone

All Stars Cricket

Orange Cone

All Stars Cricket

Blue Cone

All Stars Cricket

White Cone

All Stars Cricket

Orange Stump Base

All Stars Cricket

Orange Stump

All Stars Cricket

Orange Bat

Dynamos Cricket

Yellow Cone

Dynamos Cricket

Pink Cone

Dynamos Cricket

Blue Cone

Dynamos Cricket

Pink Stump Base

Dynamos Cricket

Pink Stump

 

What do the affected products look like? 

Images of the affected products are shown below

ASC DC equipment

Health and Safety

What are the potential health and safety impacts?

An independent expert company have carried out a risk assessment in relation to the balls and have not determined any direct risks to participants in the programme in relation to the balls, but the safety of all participants, volunteers and staff is our priority, so out of an abundance of caution, the balls should no longer be used.

We will provide an update on the outcome of the risk assessments in relation to the Dynamos Cricket batting tee and National Programmes PVC banners (and any other items which require a risk assessment following independent testing) in due course. The Dynamos Cricket batting tee and the National Programmes PVC banners should no longer be used.

What is the level of risk?

The independent risk assessment for the balls has not determined any direct risks to participants in the programme in relation to the balls. We will provide an update on the outcome of the risk assessments in relation to the Dynamos Cricket batting tee and National Programmes PVC banners (and any other items which require a risk assessment following independent testing) in due course.

What’s the advice to someone who says they felt unwell after playing with a ball?

Given the risk assessment in relation to the balls did not determine any direct risk to participants in the programmes it is unlikely this would be as a result of this issue. However, should anyone feel unwell we would recommend that they seek medical help as appropriate.

What reassurance can we offer to people who have been using the affected balls/equipment?

We want to send our apologies to any clubs and All Stars and Dynamos participants impacted by this and hope we can resolve the situation as soon as possible. While the independent risk assessment in relation to the balls did not determine any direct risk to participants in the programmes in relation to the balls, we are taking a cautious approach and the balls should no longer be used. We will provide an update on the outcome of the risk assessments in relation to the Dynamos Cricket batting tee and National Programmes PVC banners (and any other items which require a risk assessment following independent testing) in due course. The Dynamos Cricket batting tee and the National Programme PVC banners should no longer be used.

What can we do with the ball we have from last year? 

Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards have been informed of the issue of the ball, and neither as indicated a need to recall the products in circulation.  

However, the safety of our participants, volunteers and staff is our priority, so out of an abundance of caution we would advise that the affected equipment should no longer be used.  

For those who wish to dispose of the balls, we are working to provide a sustainable solution for what to do with the balls and will update as soon as we can. 

 

National Programmes 2024 Participant Equipment

What will be included for new and returning All Stars Cricket participants in 2024?

In 2024, All Stars participants will receive a personalised t-shirt, complemented by a discounted recommended retail price – see Pricing Structure.

What will be included for new and returning Dynamos Cricket participants in 2024?

In 2024, Dynamos Cricket participants will receive a personalised New Balance t-shirt as in previous years. We will provide Wild Cards (formerly known as Cricket Attax Cards) for each club running Dynamos Cricket programmes. 

 

National Programmes 2024 Pricing

Will the cost of National Programmes change in 2024?

The recommended retail price (RRP) for All Stars Cricket will be reduced to £30 for the 2024 season (a reduction of £10 from the 2023 RRP) in recognition that participants will not be getting a bag, bat and ball. The RRP for Dynamos will remain the same. All customers who have already paid for All Stars Cricket courses which are yet to take place this year, will be contacted to inform them of the options available. 

 

Participant Refunds

Will refunds be available?

All Stars Cricket participants who booked and paid for 2023/2024 programmes between 14th November 2023 and 29th February 2024, where the course start date was between 14th November 2023 and 29th February 2024 will receive a £10 refund. We will contact them individually to explain the reason for this.

All Stars Cricket participants who booked and paid for 2024 programmes between 14th November 2023 and 7th March 2024, where the course start date was on or after 1st March 2024, will have the option to cancel their place on a 2024 course. In this instance they will be offered a full refund by contacting the Help Desk - allstarscricket@ecb.co.uk. This will be communicated to the affected bookers via email. For those who wish not to cancel, a £10 refund will be automatically sent to them to ensure they have paid the RRP of £30 in 2024. This will be communicated to all affected bookers.

Dynamos Cricket participants will have the opportunity to cancel their place on a booked course based on the Terms and Conditions made available to them during the Clubspark registration process. No partial refunds will be issued for Dynamos Cricket as the participant offer remains the same as advertised.

Participants who booked using a voucher code where no money was exchanged, will be contacted with an apology and explanation.

When will participant refunds be given?

Refunds will begin being processed from Monday 25th March and may take up to 60 days to be received in the bookers bank account.

I was sent a participant pack for my child earlier in the year that didn’t contain a ball. I was told that I would get a ball sent to me, is this still happening?

In February 2024, a number of participants were sent kit and equipment packs without balls. Unfortunately, due to the challenges communicated, you will now not receive a ball.  Participants who booked and paid for a course will be contacted directly with an apology and explanation and automatically issued a refund of £10 to the bank account you booked with.  Participants who booked using a voucher code where no money was exchanged, will be contacted with an apology and explanation.

 

Delivery of National Programmes in 2024

How will clubs and activators distinguish between existing balls and the new balls that are provided?

We have placed an order for new phthalate free balls. These will be easily distinguishable from all existing balls due to their design and colour.  The new ball will be white, with a light blue seam and will have both the All Stars and Dynamos logos on.

What equipment will my club or centre use to deliver National Programmes in 2024?

The ECB has arranged independent testing for the bats and stumps given out to programme participants and can confirm these do not have the same issue and can therefore continue to be used. A full list of tested products can be found in the Existing National Programmes Equipment section.

How do we know the equipment clubs and centres are using this year will be safe?

The ECB has arranged independent testing for the bats and stumps given out to programme participants and can confirm these do not have the same issue and can therefore continue to be used. We will be supplying centres who are running All Stars and Dynamos this year with new supplies of phthalate-free balls. In the meantime, we are recommending clubs use tennis balls instead. 

 

Participant and Course Registration in 2024

Will the challenges with equipment impact my booking experience?

The registration process and booking system remains unaffected and parents can continue to use it as in previous years.  Any questions regarding equipment have been removed.

 

2025 National Programmes

Do you anticipate kit and equipment returning for 2025?

Yes, we have already started conversations with suppliers and are confident in our ability to provide kit in 2025.

 

Further Questions

Where can we direct people who have further questions or want more information?

For Clubs: Please contact the Helpdesk via allstarscricket@ecb.co.uk

For participants, parents and guardians: Please contact the Helpdesk via allstarscricket@ecb.co.uk