2023 Impact Report by Terri Salisbury

CR IC KE T, A G AM E FO R

AL L.

FOREWORD

Welcome to the Steelbacks In The Community Impact Report for 2023. It has been an important year in delivering Cricket’s ambition to be the most inclusive sport in the Country. We strategically prioritised and focused our attention on making sure there was peer-based competition for the Girls in the County and the results have seen an exciting increase in the number of Girls teams participating in the game. There was also a conscious decision to support Clubs with Volunteer recruitment, which involved a number of different strategies. It was especially pleasing that some of our tactics received national recognition. We continue our journey to make sure that all communities in Northamptonshire get chances to connect with cricket and potentially develop a lifelong association with the game regardless of age, ability, gender, ethnicity or social background – achieving Cricket’s ambition to be the most inclusive sport in England and Wales. I said it in last year’s report and I will say it again, a massive thank you to the hundreds of volunteers around the County who bring our work to life because without them it simply wouldn’t happen.

Derek Styman Cricket Development Manager

" WE STRATEGICALLY PRIORITISED AND FOCUSED OUR ATTENTION ON MAKING SURE THERE WAS PEERBASED COMPETITION FOR THE GIRLS IN THE COUNTY AND THE RESULTS SAW AN EXCITING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GIRLS AND GIRLS’ TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN THE GAME.”

" THERE WAS ALSO A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO SUPPORT CLUBS WITH VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT, WHICH INVOLVED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES. IT WAS ESPECIALLY PLEASING THAT SOME OF OUR TACTICS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION.”

OUR VISION The strategic vision of the Steelbacks In the Community team is to inspire the next generation to say ‘Cricket is a game for me.' The mission is to provide all people in Northamptonshire the opportunity to engage with cricket more often – be it playing, watching or helping to run the game. To achieve this, our aims are split into the five clear strategic pillars, that cover all aspects of recreational cricket. These pillars form the basis of all activity and are listed in the contents on the page opposite.

David Hartley Chairman, Northamptonshire County Cricket Board

PILLARS

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GROW & NURTURE THE CORE

6-9

ENGAGE CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

10 - 13

TRANSFORM WOMEN'S & GIRLS' CRICKET

14 - 17

MAKE CRICKET ACCESSIBLE

18 - 21

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES

22 - 25

OUR AMBITIONS FOR 2024

AFFILIATED NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CLUBS

Non-Turf pitch at Old CC funded by the County Grants Fund

GROW & NURTURE THE CORE We will grow and retain participation in Northamptonshire by developing and supporting our clubs to create great environments with great facilities with a league network which provides the right playing offers.

Retain and grow the number of adults playing the game. Support Clubs to be safe, welcoming and sustainable with appropriate playing facilities. 6

Affiliated Northamptonshire Clubs

SENIOR CRICKET ONLY

SENIOR & JUNIOR CRICKET

SENIOR, JUNIOR & WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' CRICKET Full list of Affiliated Clubs on Page 27

ECB COUNTY GRANTS FUND The County Grants Fund aims to support affiliated cricket clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and to help clubs tackle the impact of climate change.

Creating Welcoming Environments

£20,379 4 to

Clubs

Tackling Climate Change

£26,707 6 to

Clubs

Providing Enhanced Facilities or Playing Opportunities for Women and Girls

£17,500 2 to

Clubs

“ Wellingborough Old Grammarians Cricket Clubhouse has numerous changing rooms, toilets, a bar and two function rooms. The club had an ongoing issue with lights being left on and therefore inefficient power usage. It was decided to replace the system with a motion sensor lighting system to improve efficiently and to eliminate this wastage.

ECB Clubmark

Accreditation Scheme

Clubs

Provides clubs with a framework for development and a benchmark for safeguarding and governance (Details on Page 27).

“ Prior to receiving support from the ECB County Grants Fund towards the purchase of a new battery-powered mower for the square, we were using a very old and heavy petrol driven mower which was both unreliable and proving very costly to run due to increasing service and maintenance charges and £200 annually in fuel and oil costs. The new mower is so much lighter and quieter, and we can cut the whole square on a single charge. The verticut has reduced the volunteer time needed to prepare wickets, making the mower an asset to the club for many years.” Mike Thomas - Wellingborough Town CC

Following a professional survey a figure was calculated at a potential 35% saving. The impact of the grant award on club finances is tangible as we are seeing savings on our utility bills as we are reducing energy wastage, and this will ultimatelylower the club’s carbon footprint. It has also given a positive message to our members, showing that we are actively addressing climate change issues.” Steve Kendall - Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

New practice facilities at Loddington & Mawsley CC that were supported by the County Grants Fund

ECB Safe Hands Management System This secure online platform enables clubs to manage the DBS status of relevant club members.

Registered Clubs

1,039

Officials recorded on the system 9

ENGAGE CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE We will recruit and retain more children and young people giving them all access to cricket by making the game more attractive and offer them more appropriate choices. Retain and grow the number of juniors playing the game. Provide relevant playing offers for Children of all abilities. Support Clubs deliver opportunities for Children and Young People. Create and support the network of skilled and inspired Teachers. Increase Primary and Secondary School Engagement.

Children & Young people on the outfield - Community Day

SITC Hardball Camp

SCHOOLS ENGAGEMENT

PROGRAMME Chance to Shine Engagement Days Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation

SCHOOLS INVOLVED

PARTICIPANTS

33 50 10

4,031 11,535 870

“ We are really grateful to Steelbacks In the Community for providing the coaching in the first place. Gary is a brilliant coach and the children loved working with him each week I'm very sure Gary got the best out of the children.” Grendon Primary School Steelbacks In The Community - School of the Year

ECB NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

“ Aynho Cricket Club has been delighted with the support we have received from Steelbacks In the Community. Firstly we needed assistance with all the necessary first steps on getting the club going again for the first time in 20 years. We also ran 'All Stars' this year, with 24 children turning up most weeks. The programme is simple to setup and run but we couldn’t have done it without the training and support of the Steelbacks In The Community team - all the families were delighted!” Chris Coopman - Aynho CC

TOTAL

BOYS

GIRLS

842

324

498

227

1,340 551

JUNIOR LEAGUES

INDOOR OUTDOOR

Running from October to February in Northampton, Kettering & Corby and East Northants at 3 different age groups with an U13 girls' league in Northampton.

TEAMS

Junior Mixed Hardball Leagues and Competitions from U10 to U19 - 160 teams.

PARTICIPANTS

TEAMS

68 426

“ The indoor league has made a very positive impact on our club’s youth section... it has turned junior cricket from a four month summer sport into an all year round sport. With our youth members now being more engaged with cricket, this has resulted in much better player retention within our youth teams. The fixtures for the indoor league are played every other week, which has given our young

160 cricketers the flexibility to stay involved with cricket during the off season but hasn’t impacted their other sporting interests. The organisation of venues and umpires by Steelbacks In The Community has been excellent. It has taken away the load from club volunteers, which has made the league a really appealing prospect. Long may it continue." Nick Herbert - Loddington & Mawsley CC

SKILLS CAMPS A variety of hardball and softball cricket camps were held across the county during the February half term, Easter and Summer holidays.

PARTICIPANTS

The Wellingborough Skills Camp (and Steeler)

BOYS

GIRLS

379

186 13

TRANSFORM THE WOMEN'S & GIRLS' GAME

Northamptonshire Women's team in action

We will drive a cultural shift in the way Women and Girls’ cricket is prioritised, perceived and delivered to ensure a complete and appropriate offer in Northamptonshire. Increase the number of Clubs with an active Women’s and Girls’ offer. Provide appropriate Club and Community playing offers for women and girls of all abilities. Create inclusive environments to encourage more representation of women across the game – players, volunteers, employees and leaders.

U11 Girls - Earls Barton

U11 Girls - Kettering

NEW GIRLS' LEAGUES In 2023, two leagues were formed to offer girls only competitive cricket. The under 11's was a softball offer and included festivals that participating clubs took turns to host. The under 13's was hardball pairs cricket with teams organising their own fixtures.

“ After successful involvement in a softball tournament run by Steelbacks In The Community in 2022, Barby entered a girls' team in the U13 league and a U11 Softball team for the 2023 season. Despite only winning one game, the improvement was rapid and we are positive our team will go from strength to strength. In the future, our commitment to girls’ cricket will continue. This year, we had 4 girls playing in our mixed under-11's hardball. In 2024 our under-11's team will likely field as many girls as boys, all selected on merit and testament to our focus on coaching and inclusivity. We now have a dedicated girls' coach who is already coaching our hard and softball teams every Wednesday night. Our focus on girls' cricket has had a marked impact on the club. Most noticeably it has helped us build our profile of the club in 'non-cricketing' circles, many of the girls who come to us have never played cricket before but are eager to learn. We have been praised by other clubs in the area and we have also garnered praise from local schools. The biggest satisfaction has been seeing how much our girls have loved playing cricket.” Lucy Gleghorn - Barby CC

“ The girls' league has been superb at galvanising not only the players, but also parents this year. It has given the girls a great introduction into competitive cricket in a friendly and structured way. You could see the girls growing in confidence each week and the difference in ability from the first and last week is remarkable. Already we have had three girls who previously did not want to play hardball cricket convert and play their first games. We have also managed to recruit female coaches from the parents who enjoyed the new league setup. This is a massive step as we try to give the girls at Weldon some female role models. The girls can’t wait for next year and everyone at Weldon is extremely grateful to Steelbacks In The Community and the team of young leaders that helped drive the league this year.” Daniel Shaw - Weldon CC

“ Girls' cricket at Overstone has grown significantly over the last three years. Being able to offer Girls' competitive cricket in a league format has proved crucial in maintaining this momentum. It has given the girls an incentive to improve and has enhanced enjoyment by facilitating a competitive environment. More broadly it has supported our objective of raising the profile of girls’ cricket to the same level as the boys’ game. Results are now followed by all our members on the club’s social media platforms every week. League results generate important coverage and exposure for our girls’ team. Equally as girls move up to our women's team, they are already familiar with playing in a competitive environment.” Jo Carlier - Overstone Park CC

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES Girls involved – an increase of 10.5% year on year.

539 28% All Stars

Participants

188

Matches

Runs Scored

Dynamos

31%

GIRLS' LEAGUE IN NUMBERS Runs Scored

173 13,644 746

League Impact; The number of county girls' teams grew by

160%

County Age Groups GIRLS' Unique Participants Games Played from U11 - U18 PLAYER 5 103 106 PATHWAY

NEW FEMALE ROLE MODELS IN VOLUNTEERING

ECB National Programmes Activators ECB Foundation and Core Coaches ECB Support Coaches

20% 18% 30% 17

MAKE CRICKET ACCESSIBLE We will make it easy for everyone in Northamptonshire to access the cricket of their choice.

18 19

Create inclusive environments to encourage more representation of disabled players across the game – players, volunteers, employees, leaders. Ensure consistent offers across Northamptonshire are available – focussing on areas of lower representation and areas with poor facilities. Encourage more representation of diverse communities across the game – players, volunteers, employees, leaders.

Participants enjoying a Table Cricket Festival in the Curo Lounge at the County Ground.

Super 1s Guard of Honour - Steelbacks vs Foxes - Vitality Blast Fixture at the County Ground.

DISABILITY CRICKET In partnership with the Lord’s Taverners, in 2023, we continued to provide cricketing opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities. Table and Softball Cricket sessions were delivered at more SEND schools than 2022.

PROGRAMME

Table Cricket

Engagement Days

Super 1s

SCHOOLS INVOLVED

PARTICIPANTS

12 10 4

201 147 55

HUBS

The community Super 1's hubs offered free cricket sessions and wider outcomes for 12-25 year olds.

'CHANCE TO SHINE' STREET CRICKET Chance to Shine Street brings cricket to young people who traditionally face barriers to getting active and accessing the game through traditional sites.

ECB Disability Champion Club – Northampton Saints CC

This scheme offers volunteer support, resources and funding to cricket clubs that actively engage in disability cricket.

The programme uses the sport to increase aspiration, promote social cohesion and create opportunities in diverse communities and areas of deprivation.

“ Three words that describe the Super

“Harry has been attending the Super

“ We have recently had table and softball

1’s Cricket. Amazing, Fun & confidence boosting! Since attending the Super 1’s

1's cricket on Monday evenings since February. He loves it and looks forward

cricket sessions at our school delivered by Pratik. The children have gained a lot from

cricket I have impressed myself with my cricket skills. Super 1s feels like a big family, the atmosphere is amazing! Everyone is accepting, there’s a real sense of belonging, which builds my confidence and improves my skills as a team player. Pratik and the other staff are amazing.

to Monday evenings every week!

these sessions, growing in confidence each week.

I very much enjoyed the fact we got to have some sessions outside in another setting during the summer and was honoured to be the involved with the Guard of Honour. I was proud to wear the Steelbacks t-shirt.”

Harry has gained confidence and skill to be a team player. Being " first" and " winning" is something Harry struggles with, but since joining Super 1's he has learnt that it's about taking part, being a team player and trying your best! We are so thankful for this opportunity for Harry.”

It was great to see smiles on their faces as they worked as a team to tackle the challenges set. All the skills the children learnt over the sessions allowed them to compete in some competitions at the county cricket ground, an experience that will stay with the children for a long time.”

Kayley Battison - Super 1s parent

James Rootes - Daventry Hill School

Jack Ayres - Super 1s participant

“ I got into Street Cricket through my school. It makes me feel like I am part of an aspiring community of people passionate about cricket and I really look forward to the weekly sessions. They are always action packed and are also accessible to all ages and abilities. The annual Street Cricket competitions really keep you motivated. It’s great to play against teams from other town and cities.” Amani Mahmud - Chance to Shine Street participant

Chance to Shine Street in action

2 PROJECTS Running in Northampton & Corby with

49 1

UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS TEAM Competing in the Regional and National Finals

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITES We will support the cricketing community in recruiting, training and retaining enough volunteers to sustain the delivery of cricket in the county.

Support our Clubs and Community sites to recruit, train and retain volunteers. Ensure all Clubs and Community Sites provide an environment that is safe and welcoming for all groups to enjoy cricket.

SAFEGUARDING “ In addition to the 27 Club Safeguarding Officers that were either retrained or trained for the first time during 2023, Steelbacks In The Community have provided support to all 95 Club Safeguarding Officers in the county, who do such great work at their clubs. This support included regular email updates and specific webinars for the delivery of key information, policy changes and new updates.” Dave Weston - County Safeguarding Officer

2023 OSCA's Winners at The County Ground

VOLUNTEER TRAINING The table shows the number of volunteers that were trained through programmes that we organised during 2023.

National Programmes Activators

ECB Support Coaches

ECB Foundation Coaches

ECB Core Coaches ECB Safe Hands Trained Club Safeguarding Officers Club Safeguarding Officers ECB Safe Hands training renewed

PARTICIPANTS

COURSES

66 20 22 22 16 11

4 2 2 2 2 2

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT In 2023, one of key priorities was to focus on supporting clubs with the recruitment new volunteers, especially clubs that were looking to run a girls’ team or teams. “ Volunteering is a key to the Barby’s success both on and off the field, and this year one of our committee members became the main driver to provide volunteer support and guidance. One of the reasons why we decided to do this, was due to the support from Steelbacks In The Community. One successful method to ensure all key tasks are completed is to have set day to complete this work. This ‘Wednesday group’ now does a massive amount to keep the club running behind the scenes and is made up of retired players, officials, partners and friends of the club.

25 24

Another area where we pressed for volunteers this year was support for Friday night junior training. Initially asking for help ‘a couple of times’ a season, targeting both parents and players. Most took this up, with several becoming regular attendees. Invaluable Volunteer Support from the Steelbacks In the Community team also includes coach development, activator training, key information on safeguarding, fund raising and grant applications.” Phil Beagley - Barby CC

Steelbacks In The Community Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards Volunteers that go above and beyond were recognised and rewarded with 13 award categories and a presentation day on Community Day at the County Ground.

VOLUNTEER REWARD “ It was lovely to have my volunteering efforts recognised by the Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards and I'm thankful to the Old CC committee for nominating me. The nomination and the hospitality day made me feel valued as a volunteer by Old and Steelbacks In The Community. Volunteering is the crux of grassroots crickets and it's brilliant that Old CC and the County take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contribution of their volunteers. A final big thank you to all the volunteers at Old CC, as it requires great teamwork to keep a cricket club running and thriving." Declan Ryan - Old CC

“ Silverstone CC’s recognition as the ‘Coaching Club of the Year’ has highlighted our hard working coaching volunteers’ dedication and excellence in providing coaching and mentoring for a growing number of young cricketers. Their efforts, along with the support from the Steelbacks In The Community team, have resulted in many positive outcomes for the village, such as increased participation in cricket activities, and enhanced community engagement. The award serves as a source of motivation and inspiration for both the coaches and the players. It boosts the club's reputation and will act as a catalyst for the club's continued success and positive influence on aspiring young cricketers.” Steve Curry - Silverstone CC 2023 OSCA's Rising Star Winner; Isaac Whewell with Ben Sanderson

2024 AMBITIONS GROW & NURTURE THE CORE Create an action plan to deliver the Steelbacks In The Community Facilities Strategy. Make South Northamptonshire a focal point for the delivery all aspects of recreational cricket.

TRANSFORM WOMEN'S & GIRLS CRICKET Retain and grow the number of girls' teams in the county, with a focus on the correct playing offers to deliver this goal. Increase the number of actively involved female volunteers and role models in the game, concentrating on key participation roles like Activators, Qualified Coaches, Junior Team Managers, Umpires and Scorers.

ENGAGE CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Focus on increasing the numbers of children transitioning from Dynamos to club based hard ball cricket.

MAKE CRICKET ACCESSIBLE Use existing partnerships to target key areas of deprivation and lower socio-economic groups reaching new groups in society and extending talent identification. Establish a Super 1s hub in the Kettering/Corby area offering free cricket sessions for children and young adults with disabilities.

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES Support clubs to inspire people, who don’t volunteer, to get involved and recruit more volunteers from a wider network creating a more diverse volunteer community across the county.

AFFILIATED CLUB LIST 1

Aynho

Grange Park

Overstone Park

Abington Phoenix

Great Houghton

Pattishall

Badby & Farthingstone

Great Oakley

Podington

Barby

Gretton

Pytchley

Barton Seagrave

Haddons

Raunds

Benefield

Hardingstone

Rothwell

Bold Dragoon

Harlestone

Rushden & Higham

Brackley

Heyford

Rushton

Braunston Paddox

Horton House

S & L Corby

Brigstock

Irchester

Silverstone

Brixworth

Irthlingborough Town

South Northants Council

Bugbrooke

Isham

Spencer Bruerne

Burton Latimer

Kettering Town

St Crispins & Ryelands

Byfield

Kings Sutton

St Michaels

Carrib United

Kislingbury Temperance

Syresham

Chipping Warden

Laxton Park

Thrapston

Cogenhoe

Loddington & Mawsley

Towcestrians

Crick Lions

Long Buckby

Weekley & Warkton

Culworth

Marston St Lawrence

Weldon

Desborough

Mears Ashby

Welford

Earls Barton

Middleton Cheney

Wellingborough Indians

East Carlton

Nassington

Wellingborough Old Grammarians

Easton-on-the Hill

Northampton Saints

Wellingborough Town

Evenley

Old

Wicken

Everdon

Old Eastonians

Wollaston

Finedon Dolben

Old Northamptonians

Woodford Halse

Geddington

Oundle

Yelvertoft

Bold : Clubmark Accredited

28 27

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DEREK STYMAN CRICKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

derek.styman@nccc.uk

S O CI A L M E D I A

@SteelbacksITC @SteelbacksITC

nccc.co.uk/community-hub info@nccc.co.uk 01604 514455 The County Ground Abington Avenue Northampton NN1 4PR