Boost Your Club's Engagement with a Community League

1. More Money, More Players Club self help – Hosting a Community League at your club? Ally Jarvis ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 1

2. Why host a community league? Clubs are consistently challenged with three key themes: Social (People, players, volunteers) Environment (Facilities) Economics (Finance) Hosting a community event can address all three… ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 2

3. The Benefits… • Your club is showcased to the local community • More people playing cricket • New playing members • Increase in social membership • Increase revenue ( bar, BBQ, match fees) • Upgrade facilities through the revenue from leagues • Promoting the clubs facilities for functions • New business support / sponsorship ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 3

4. Who would play? • Key factor is to reach new audiences from the local community: • Local businesses • School teachers • Parents of juniors – including Mums! • Community groups • Fringe players at risk of ‘dropping out’ • Local assistance can be obtained from WCB, the County Sports Partnership and ECB to help market your event. ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 4

5. What would the event look like? • Entirely up to you as a club • Dependent on space and availability of facilities Be creative… • Shorter formats of the game (T20 / T10) • Smaller sided formats – 8 a side • Soft ball – more inclusive to new audiences Easy Cricket: • Easy to play • Easy to set up • Easy to understand ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 5

6. Easy Cricket • Pairs Cricket • Non Stop Cricket • Danish Rounders • Cricket Rounders • One hand, One bounce ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 6

7. Other ideas… Double Dozen (hard ball) • engages with a new audience including beginners and those looking to get back into the sport. • 8 players per side • 12 overs per innings • 4 batting pairs bat for 3 overs • Each player to bowl a minimum of 1 over (all from the same end) • Double runs scored through the target zone (straight back behind the bowler) ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 7

8. Other ideas…. Street20 (soft ball) • 20 ball innings • Every player bowls 4 balls (apart from wicket keeper) • Hit the ball out of the defined playing are you score 6 and out • 6 a Side • No LBW rules ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 8

9. Where and When? • Based at club if possible • After work / Sunday • Junior training nights • Depends on availability of your facilities • Depends on the format – soft ball can be played on outfield ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 9

10. Last Man Stands • http://bcove.me/bkxs9y59 • 8 a side • 5 ball overs • Duration time of a game – 2 hours 15 minutes • Double plays • Retire at 50 • If a six is hit off the last ball of an innings, doubles to 12. • All 8 wickets need to be taken to bowl a side out hence the name Last Man Stands. • Supported by www.lastmanstands.com with individual rankings: • League ranking • UK ranking • World ranking ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 10

11. How? ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 11

12. Case Study AUGUST BIG BASH – Merstham Cricket Club • Soft ball, informal weekly fixtures on a Wednesday night, played on the outfield. Companies within the local area invited to take part. Free to enter. • 6-8 teams each week with 80 people participating. 16 female players and 55 of those participating were entirely new to the game. • Benefits to Merstham CC • £1000 income through the bar and the BBQ on match nights • Four of the companies are now supporting the club with it’s new pavilion • New players • Companies booking club facilities for activities (cricket and non-cricket) ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 12

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14. Case Study • COMMUNITY LEAGUE - BudleighSalterton CC • 11 a side T20 - The league consisted of teams made up of local school teachers, dentists, doctors, sports clubs, local pubs and also a youth academy team from the BudleighSalterton CC. • Benefits to BudleighSalterton CC • £4000 profit through the bar & BBQ on ‘Super Sunday’ match days • Increased revenue has funded a non- turf pitch • 4 new adults playing in BSCC league teams • Participating players have introduced their children to the club • Club have gained a new sponsor • Social members from the league supporting clubs activities and functions • One team have booked the net facilities to practice for next year ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 14

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16. More proof… “I only played because it was something to do with my mates and to start with I could hardly hit the ball. As well as enjoying the game, I saw what the club are trying to do in getting new people involved, and I’m now the chairman of the club’s social committee!” Andrew Molloy, First Time Cricketer – Turbo10, Ramsey CC “Six weeks of Turbo10 made the club £750 profit from match fees and bar takings.” David Swannell, Chairman, Ramsey Cricket ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 16

17. More proof… “Our ‘Captain’s Cup’ weekly competition is aimed at non-league players and the wider community. It has helped us bring more people to the club and raised over £1000 in bar takings…” Steve Bell, Sedgefield CC, Durham – Captain’s Cup “This initiative is helping to ensure that the club’s long term future is secure. It has been really heartening to see the club’s facilities used every summers evening and at weekends, the club will benefit and so will cricket.” Andy Procter, Chairman, Wirral CC, Cheshire – Last Man Stands ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 17

18. Support & next steps… • Marketing to help promote your community leagues • Game cards / ideas • Free ECB branded equipment • If you are interested in running a community league please contact: Pete Sykes www.ecb.co.uk/play ECB Presentation Template - 24.1.05 Page 18