Children Playing in Adult Matches

Firwood Bootle Cricket Club recognises the need to ensure the welfare of all young people in sport and has adopted the ECB guidelines on “Junior Cricketers playing in Adult Matches”. Firwood Bootle Cricket Club acknowledges that they have a duty of care towards all young players who represent the club and this is interpreted in the following two ways:

We will not place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk to that young player, taking into account the circumstances of the match and relative skills of the player.
Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult players.

In accordance with ECB guidelines covering the participation of young cricketers in adult matches, Firwood Bootle Cricket Club has adopted the following regulations:

All young players who have not reached their 18th Birthday must wear a helmet with a face guard when batting and when standing to the stumps when keeping wicket. There will be no exceptions to this rule even if a parent/guardian offers to confirm their agreement in writing.

The ECB fielding and fast bowling regulations will be adhered to and we will take all reasonable steps to make sure that the umpires and captains enforce these regulations. (The umpires are empowered by these fielding regulations to stop any game immediately if a young player comes within the restricted distance).

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the umpires and captains are notified of the age group of all players participating in an adult match who are in the Under 18 age group or younger even if the player is not a fast bowler. This requirement will also cover any young player taking the field as a substitute fielder.

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the players are placed in a cricketing environment that is supportive at all times for all forms of effort, gives encouragement and praise and ensure that the players safety, personal development needs and overall cricket experience are considered

Minimum age

The minimum age for Open Age cricket is the U13 age group. Players must be in Year 8, and 12 years old on the 1st September of the preceding year.

This applies to all club and district players who are not in a county or area squad (or region in Wales) . Written parental consent is required.

Exceptionally, players who are selected in a County U12 squad (or Regional squad in Wales) in spring for a summer squad – are also eligible to play Open age cricket.*

Please be aware that at under 12 level the ECB recommends that the focus is on participation rather than Talent I.D, and many counties no longer run under 12 squads. Inclusion of ANY Under 12s in Open Age teams should be an exception and not an expectation.

*providing they are at least 11 years old, are in School Year 7 on 1st September in the year preceding the season, and have written parental consent to play.

It is essential clubs and coaches recognise the ‘duty of care’ obligations they have towards young players in Open Age cricket

Under 13 School Year 8 Age Group

Only those junior players in the above age group, who are exceptionally talented players will be selected to play in adult matches. Approval for those players will be given by the Head Coach and Club Chair.

It is a requirement of Firwood Bootle Cricket Club that a parent guardian or other identified responsible adult must be present whenever a junior player in the above age group lays in adult matches. This could include the captain or other identified adult player taking responsibility for the junior player. However, the explicit consent of the captain or other identified adult player must be obtained prior to selection of the junior player in the match. Therefore, if a junior player is selected for an adult game and a parent/guardian or other identified responsible adult cannot be present, then this may mean that the junior player may not be selected for that match. Please refer to other club policies posted on the website e.g. in relation to transportation, changing and showering which must be adhered to.