Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club will:
- Ensure that each case, of a junior player playing for an open age group team, is determined on an individual basis, depending on the player’s ability and stage of cognitive and emotional maturity to take part at this level – however the minimum age guidance below will be adhered to.
- Make sure that juniors are involved in all aspects of the game wherever possible i.e. socialising, team talks, practise, decision making and so on, so they feel part of the team.
- Provide an opportunity for players to demonstrate their talents in an appropriate way.
- Be supportive, at all times, for all forms of effort even when children are not successful and try to put them in situations where they will experience some success (however small) and ensure plenty of praise and encouragement.
- Instruct captains to inform umpires of under 18s in the side.
- Ensure that ECB helmets, fast bowling directives and fielding regulations are always adhered to for junior players.
Minimum Age:
Players who are selected in a County U12 squad in spring for a summer squad or in another squad deemed by ECB Performance Managers to be of a standard above ‘district level’ for that season are eligible to play Open age cricket.
This is 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. In allowing these players to play in open age cricket it is essential clubs and coaches recognise the ‘duty of care’ obligations they have towards these young players.
This means boys and girls who are county squad and area squad players, are able to play open age group cricket if they are in an U12 age group and are a minimum of 11 years old on 1st September of the year preceding the season.
District and club players who are not in a county or area squad must wait until they reach the U13 age group, be in year 8 and be 12 years old on 1st September of the preceding year before being able to play in any open age group cricket. As before written parental consent is required for these players.
Duty of care should be interpreted in two ways:
· Not to place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk to that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the relative skills of the player.
· Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position wherby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult players.
In addition Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club recognises the positive experience young players should have in open age cricket. Clubs should provide an opportunity for players to show their talents in an appropriate way.