L&DCC WOMEN & GIRLS CRICKET: Provisional 2021 Programme
Date: 17th January 2021
THE W&G SUB COMMITTEE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE AN EXPANDED COMPETITIONS PROGRAMME FOR THE 2021 SEASON IN RESPONSE TO THE EVER-GROWING DEMAND FOR FEMALE CRICKET IN THE LIVERPOOL COMP.
This will include additional competitions in both softball - to cater for new entrant clubs who we will be welcoming this summer - and in hardball to meet the growing development needs of some of the more established clubs.
Alongside a comprehensive review of the short but none the less highly successful 2020 season carried out by the Sub-Committee, this Programme has been informed by responses received from the W&G Club Survey carried out in the Autumn. 19 questionnaires were returned from W&G clubs or those aspiring to develop female sections. This is outstanding and we thank all that took part.
As I know you will appreciate, the prevailing Covid 19 restrictions mean that we are currently unable to assign any schedules to these activities. However, and in accordance with cricket across our league, we are planning for a full programme at this time. As we move through the coming months, we will continue to review the situation in respect to what and when we may be able to do in the 2021 season. This is what we did last year and with the support of leaders of the female sections and other officials in the clubs, we were able to put together a schedule for meaningful competition relatively quickly.
Please see below an overview of the 2021 Programme:
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WOMEN/OPEN AGE
SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL LEAGUE (8 overs) PAIRS ENTRY LEVEL
MULTI-GAME FESTIVAL MODEL
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SOFTBALL SUPER 8s LEAGUE (16 overs) PAIRS
Played on prepared wicket on the Square
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HARDBALL
HARDBALL SUPER 8s LEAGUE or TOURNAMENT (16 overs) PAIRS
Played on prepared wicket on the Square
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HARDBALL T20 LEAGUE (9 a side) - FULL CRICKET RULES
Played on prepared wicket on the Square
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JUNIORS
SOFTBALL
GIRLS' U10 FESTIVALS
MULTI-GAME FESTIVAL MODEL
Several held over season - complements existing mixed U10's activity
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HARDBALL
GIRLS' U15 HARDBALL SUPER 8s LEAGUE or TOURNAMENT (16 overs) PAIRS
Played on prepared wicket on the Square
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Much more detail will be provided in advance of opening the competitions for entry. At this stage, this is to give everyone an overview of the season's activities and we feel it is important even though player groups will not be training at this time, that early notice is given so that sections can commence their planning.
As the development of female cricket continues at pace, we are now looking to move the organisation, scheduling and delivery of games away from the centre to a model that more closely aligns to the men's and boy's game in our league, with clubs now taking primary responsibility. This will cover areas such as clubs arranging their fixtures (i.e. dates and times) between themselves to give more flexibility around ground availability, and when games can be played, i.e. evenings etc. 'Play By' dates will be published with the fixtures and clubs will need to ensure games are played by these deadlines. Scoring and uploading of results to Play-Cricket will also become the responsibility of clubs as per the wider game. To support clubs in this transition, with the generous help of Lancashire Cricket Foundation, we will be providing training (virtually) in the coming months and we would urge all sections to consider now the people who they would want to put forward for this training.
THIS TRAINING WILL BE FREE AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH SOON WITH MORE DETAILS AND HOW TO ENROL.
A further advantage of recording details of games via this method is that you will be able to readily draw down match and player statistics, something we know many of the teams have asked us about in the last couple of seasons.
Similarly, and again in line with the male game, the provision of umpires will be the responsibility of clubs. This will likely be specified as a minimum of one and provided by the home club. We know that the provision of umpires has been a significant factor in the development of our cricket in the last 2 seasons, how well the games have been managed and the enjoyment factor of the players. It is very important that this continues. The details of a pool of umpires will be provided who you can contact to officiate at your fixture.
To promote the growth of female participation in all aspects of the game in our league we are working with Lancashire Cricket Foundation and the ECB to provide a unique opportunity for women to train as umpires. This is a currently a key development priority for the game.
This will in turn provide opportunities for women to officiate in female cricket matches as well as the wider male/mixed game. It is clear that there is significant demand for female umpires and there will be many ready-made opportunities for graduates to officiate in our growing schedule of fixtures. It may be that you wish only to officiate in matches involving your own club but it is very likely there will be extensive opportunities going forward. It is an extremely important role in the game and a highly rewarding one. Again, if clubs could start to consider people who they may wish to put forward for umpiring roles
WE WILL BE IN TOUCH SOON ABOUT THE UMPIRE TRAINING COURSE WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED VIRTUALLY
Please note, for SOFTBALL LEAGUE (8 overs) PAIRS (ENTRY LEVEL), the League will organise the initial events in the 2021 Season which will remain as the multi team/game festival type model, including providing umpires and scorers. This competition will include NEW ENTRANT CLUBS and the games will be played in a supportive environment.
As well as our programme of club fixtures, there are potential opportunities for players to go forward and represent the League in INTER LEAGUE fixtures later in the season, something that is a key development focus for female cricket in the county. Again we are in close contact with Lancashire regarding this and will provide more details as and when we receive them.
Finally, to confirm, the W&G Finals Day, postponed from the end of last season will be rescheduled. We hope to run this as as our first event of the coming season. To remind everyone, this comprises:
WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
Semi Final 1: Firwoood Bootle Belles v Wavertree
Semi Final 2: Liverpool Vs Old Xaverians
Final
Third Place Play Off
WOMEN'S HARDBALL SUPER 8's TOURNAMENT
Final: Firwoood Bootle Belles Vs 'Group' Team
I look forward greatly to seeing this enhanced and expanded Programme rolled out across our area. It builds on the exceptional success of the last 2 years and it will undoubtedly add further impetus to the growth, and quality, of female cricket in our clubs and League.
As ever if you have any queries, please get in touch.
Kind Regards,
Paul Bate
Chairman Women and Girls Sub-Committee
M: 07713 629673
E:ldccwgcricket@virginmedia.com
W:www.lpoolcomp.co.uk
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