Leinster Cricket Union

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Leinster Cricket Union

• Strategic Plan
• 2008-2012

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Contents

• Page 3 Our Mission
• Page 4 Aims of the Strategic Plan
• Page 5 What do we want to achieve ?
• Page 6 How will we achieve it ?
• Page 7 Measuring our progress
• Page 8 Schools and Youth
• Page 9 The next level 3rd level colleges.
• Page 10 Senior Mens Cricket
• Pages 11/12 Junior Mens Cricket

• Page 13/14 Womens Cricket
• Page 15 - Coaching
• Page 16 Umpiring and Scoring
• Page 17 Grounds
• Page 18 - Finance
• Pages 19/20 Administration
• Pages 21/23 - Appendix 1 Grounds criteria
• Page 24 Appendix 2 Technical Communications
  (incl. PR/Media)
• Page 25 Appendix 3 Criteria for Senior
  status

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Playing Senior Men Junior Men Women Schools/Colleg
es/ Youth
Our Mission To increase and enhance participation
in cricket in Leinster at all age, and ability
levels and to promote excellence within all
areas of the sport
Grounds Facilities
Governance Finance Administration Media/PR
Coaching Coach Development
Umpiring Scoring
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What do we want to achieve ?

• Improve the standard of cricket being played
  with increased participation by Leinster players
  at the highest levels of all Irish cricket.
• Maintain and grow the numbers participating at
  all levels of cricket
• Increase the numbers of girls and women playing
  cricket
• Make cricket attractive as a sport and keep our
  players in the game
• Improve the standards of grounds, facilities and
  equipment and ensure that Leinster increases
  its ability to host top class cricket matches
• Increase the number of grounds available for
  cricket in the Leinster area
• Ensure that all officials coaches, umpires,
  scorers and administrators are trained and
  equipped to perform their duties at the required
  levels
• Ensure that the LCU administers the sport
  throughout the province to the highest possible
  standard
• Ensure that all sources of funding are fully
  utilised
• Promote the sport of cricket through all
  available media outlets
• Ensure that the Spirit of Cricket is adhered to
  at all times

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How do we achieve it ?

• There will be a continued emphasis on coaching of
  elite players at Under Age and Senior levels
  men and women.
• Through the Schools and Youth branches we will
  expand the base for cricket throughout Leinster
• Non-cricket areas will be targeted for
  development with potential for the creation of
  new clubs, or expansion of numbers within
  existing clubs
• Local Authorities and relevant funding agencies
  will be utilised where possible for financing of
  capital projects or ongoing coaching/development
  work including the employment of additional
  Cricket Development Officers
• All avenues will be investigated with a view to
  obtaining additional Ground resources Local
  Authority parks/playing fields, schools
  colleges etc.
• The Coaching Association, and the Umpires
  Scorers Association will provide training to
  maintain and improve standards in these
  disciplines
• The Regulations of Senior and Junior cricket
  competitions will be reviewed in consultation
  with clubs and players to provide a range of
  competitions designed to promote high playing
  standards while ensuring retention of players in
  the sport.
• Detailed advice and guidance will be offered to
  all clubs in relation to ground maintenance and
  improvement.
• Guidelines for setting up and ongoing
  administration of clubs will be provided

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Measuring our Progress
?

• The specific objectives and targets within this
  Plan will be assessed at the end of the 2009
  season, and annually thereafter.
• Objectives and targets may be revised in the
  light of such assessments.

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Playing Schools/ Youth
Schools Youth

• Targeted Growth

• Senior clubs to field a minimum of 1 boys team at
  all age levels by 2012.
• Senior clubs to field a minimum of 1 girls team
  by 2012
• Girls U17 league by 2012
• Junior clubs to field a minimum of 1 youth team
  (boys or girls) by 2012
• An Assistant Cricket Development Officer to be in
  place by 2009

• 2 new schools involved in summer coaching Kwik
  cricket in each year.
• 2 new Primary schools in Cup each year and 1
  new Secondary school in each competition in each
  year
• Primary Schools league by 2012
• 1 new Youth team in each year of the Plan

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The next level..
Playing Colleges

• Increase 3rd level numbers by
• Expanding the Schools coaching programme to
  include colleges.
• Seek to include College teams in LCU competitions
  men women as appropriate.
• Coordinate with IUCA to promote University
  cricket.
• Work with the Colleges on ground development.
• Promote developments in Umpiring and Scoring in
  University cricket and appoint Umpires to
  Intervarsity matches

• Third Level/University Cricket
• Now - 1 Senior club 2 Junior clubs affiliated
  to the LCU but there are 8 active clubs in
  Leinster.

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Senior Mens Cricket
Playing Senior Men

• Top Senior Club players need a platform beyond
  club competitions. The LCU will actively pursue
  the reinstatement of an Inter Regional or
  Interprovincial competition.
• Players with potential to develop in the game
  will be identified and progressed to playing in
  higher level competitions.
• In conjunction with the Cricket Development
  Officer(s), and the Coaching Association, the
  introduction of Youth cricketers into Senior
  Cricket will be done in a structured and
  meaningful way to ensure the fullest development
  of the players concerned.
• Senior clubs must commit to a structure which
  will ensure the best development of cricket in
  the LCU area as a whole.

• In a bid to stem the loss of players from cricket
  after Youth levels, the Senior Competitions
  Committee will review all Senior cricket
  regulations with a view to providing a variety of
  attractive competitions aimed at club players.
  This will include a review of start times and
  length of matches.
• In conjunction with the other appropriate
  sub-committees (Grounds and Coaching), and the
  LCUSA, the Senior Competitions Committee will
  work to ensure that Senior Cricket is played to
  the highest standard possible, on suitable
  pitches and outfields, and with qualified
  officials at all times.
• The stated criteria for a club in Senior cricket
  to be met by all Senior clubs by 2012 (see
  Appendix 3)

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Playing Junior Men
Junior Cricket
NOW 14 Junior Clubs
Target areas with no cricket work with the CDO
and coaches to run coaching clinics in these
areas. Seek to start new clubs where possible.
Promote cricket in local schools host and/or
help organise school competitions.
2012 ??
Grounds Committee to monitor all Junior club
grounds and provide advice on ground
preparation, improvement and preservation
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Playing Junior Men
Junior Cricket

• Coaching clinics to be provided for Junior clubs
  to promote the development of player ability in
  conjunction with the Junior Branch, and the
  Coaching Association
• The Coaching Association will work with all
  Junior clubs to develop coaches availing of
  courses at all appropriate levels.
• Junior competition regulations will be reviewed
  and feedback sought from all Junior clubs teams
  to ensure the cricket played is attractive
  and designed to keep players in the sport.

Maintain and Grow

• By the 2010 season all Junior clubs should be
  able to return match results and details in
  electronic format
• League tables and personal statistics will be
  made available on the LCU website.
• See Appendix 2

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Playing Womens Cricket
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Playing Womens Cricket
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Coaching
Coaching Coach Development

• The LCU Coaching Committee will aspire to run the
  following courses -
• Two Introductory courses each year
• One Level 1 course each year
• One Level 2 course every two years
• There will be three Refresher courses run each
  year one out of season and two during the
  season.
• The Coaching committee will continue in its
  commitment to provide high level coaching to all
  Age and Elite squads.
• Club Requirements
• The LCU will encourage all constituent clubs to
  have members attend relevant coaching courses to
  comply with the club requirements.
• All qualified coaches will be encouraged to coach
  at club level
• Each club should have a coaching co-ordinator
  (preferably Level 2 or better)
• Each club should have a 1st team coach, a Youths
  coach and a womens coach together with
  sufficient trained coaches available to coach all
  junior league players.

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Umpiring Scoring
Umpiring Scoring

• The Leinster Cricket Umpires Scorers
  Association will be responsible for the
  administration, and training of all Umpires and
  Scorers in Leinster.
• The LCU will encourage club players to become
  involved in Umpiring both while playing, and as
  a long term extension of their cricket career.
  Particular emphasis will be placed on encouraging
  Senior standard players to become involved in
  umpiring, and achieve suitable qualifications
  with a view to improving Regional and National
  umpiring standards.
• The LCUSA will provide elementary courses in at
  least 4 different centres each year for the
  primary benefit of current players and other
  interested persons in clubs.
• Specific umpiring targets are
• To achieve and maintain at least 50 active
  umpires (2207 44 active umpires)
• To achieve and maintain at least 900 appointments
  per season. (2007 803 appointments)
• To achieve and maintain 100 coverage of Senior
  2/3 matches (95 in 2007), and 50 coverage of
  Middle A/B (35 in 2007).
• To increase the representative at ECC levels to 6
  umpires on the ECC Representative panel and 2
  umpires on the Elite panel (2007 3 umpires on
  the Representative panel).
• To have all active umpires with a minimum GL6
  qualification.
• To have 15 qualified members of the ACO
• To have 10 umpires with GL4 qualification, 10
  with GL5 qualification and 15 with GL6
  qualification.
• All clubs must have a minimum of two Duckworth
  Lewis proficient scorers with suitable computer
  equipment to allow D/L to be used as required
  in Senior matches.
• Clubs should encourage players to undertake
  scoring courses with a view to increasing the
  numbers of suitably qualified scorers available
  in Leinster.

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Grounds
Grounds Facilities

• The Leinster Cricket Union is committed to the
  improvement of all cricket grounds in its area.
• The LCU will seek to improve a minimum of 2
  grounds (existing or new) to ODI standards
• Minimum criteria for club grounds are set in the
  areas of
• Outfield
• Square
• Pitches
• Scoreboards
• Sightscreens
• Ground Preparation
• Ground Equipment
• Clubhouse/Changing areas
• These criteria recognise the importance of
  improving playing surfaces as a means of
  improving playing standards.
• The Grounds Committee will ensure that these
  minimum criteria are upheld while recognising
  the different circumstances relating to grounds
  used in Senior, Junior and Schools cricket. Some
  allowances will be made for clubs sharing a
  ground with other sports e.g. rugby, soccer,
  hockey.

See Appendix 1
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Finance
Governance Finance

• The LCU will continue to exercise prudence in the
  administration of its financial affairs. The
  Finance Committee will review the Unions
  financial position on a regular basis with
  reports being made to the Executive at each
  Executive meeting.
• Sponsorship financial and material will be
  sought both directly, and in liaison with the
  constituent clubs. In particular, emphasis will
  be placed on securing sponsors from outside the
  Cricket community. In support of this, all
  possible outlets for suitable publicity are to be
  explored and maximised.
• The Finance Committee will assist clubs with
  advice on Grant aid from all available sources
  (Government Departments, Local Authorities etc)
  and will provide assistance in the completion of
  applications for such funding.
• The Finance Committee will ensure that clubs are
  advised of all funding opportunities, application
  closing dates etc. The LCU website will be
  utilised to provide information, and relevant
  contact links as required.
• Clubs should seek the assistance and expertise of
  Local Authority Sports Development Officers in
  completing applications for funding.
• Clubs will be asked to liaise with the LCU in
  collating information regarding club development
  plans or initiatives as part of the overall
  development of the game in Leinster.

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Administration
Governance Administration

• The Executive will ensure that all Rules and
  Regulations of the LCU are adhered to at all
  times.
• The Officers of the Union, and members of the
  Executive will act with a view to promoting and
  protecting the cause of the LCU, and towards the
  improvement of all areas of cricket within
  Leinster at all times.
• There is to be regular and meaningful liaison
  with the Cricket Ireland Directorship in respect
  of all matters affecting the LCU and its
  constituent clubs. The conduit for this liaison
  to the Unions Directors of Cricket Ireland.
• All Sub-Committees are to meet in accordance with
  the Rules and to report to the Executive
  Committee. Such reporting will be by way of
  formal Minutes for circulation to the LCU
  Executive and onward briefing to all Clubs by
  the Club representatives. The membership of
  non-specialist sub-committees will rotate on a
  regular basis with no member to serve more than
  3 consecutive years.
• Clubs will be encouraged to play a full and
  active part in the running of the Union both at
  Executive and sub-committee level. All
  representatives at Senior Executive are to ensure
  that all relevant issues are communicated to
  their Clubs, Branches or Associations in a timely
  and accurate fashion with appropriate
  feedback/instructions sought.
• The LCU Development Committee will work with the
  LCU Executive, its sub-committees, and the
  constituent Clubs, Branches and Associations to
  ensure that all areas of cricket in the province
  are improved on an ongoing basis.
• All Clubs should comply with statutory
  requirements including Child Protection, and
  Health Safety.
• continued.

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Administration
Governance Administration

• The LCU website will be kept up to date and
  utilised to communicate information in a
  pro-active manner.
• The LCU Executive, and the LCU Development
  Committee together with the Clubs, Branches and
  Associations will liaise with the PRO to ensure
  that cricket in Leinster receives all possible,
  and potential publicity.
• The LCU Executive will ensure that the Officer,
  Branches and sub-committees as outlined below
  collate and maintain (annual review and updating)
  a Database comprising the following information
• Numbers of Male playing members per club (Hon.
  Secretary)
• Numbers of Female playing members per club (Hon.
  Secretary)
• Numbers of Youth playing members per club
  detailed by age group and gender (Youth branch)
• Numbers of Schoolboy/girls per school detailed
  by age group and gender (Schools Committee)
• Numbers of Qualified Coaches (names contact
  details) with indication of level and whether
  active. (Coaching committee)
• Numbers of Qualified Umpires (names contact
  details) with indication of level and whether
  active. (LCUSA).
• Numbers of Qualified and/or Practising Scorers
  (names contact details) with indication of
  qualification (if applicable), whether active and
  at what levels (LCUSA)
• (All relevant Data Protection regulations will be
  complied with in the collation and retention of
  the information).

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Appendix 1 Grounds Minimum Criteria
Grounds Facilities

• Square
• Must be in good condition, and well maintained
• Worn ends from previous matches must be repaired
  before each match
• Facilities for watering the square must be
  available.
• Pitch
• Pitch must be clearly distinguishable from the
  remainder of square.
• Pitch must be prepared in accordance with LCU
  Grounds Committee guidelines.
• Pitch markings must meet Laws of Cricket
  guidelines.
• Resources must be available for brushing,
  remarking and rolling during the interval between
  innings.
• Pitch should give a true and predictable bounce,
  and not produce excessive seam movement or spin.

• Outfield
• Must be well maintained and properly drained.
• Balls should be able to run true and the outfield
  should be free from holes or any obstructions
  that might pose a hazard to fielders.
• Grass on the outfield should be closely mown and
  all grass cuttings removed.
• Boundary
• Boundary must be clearly marked by a rope or
  white line.
• Boundary rope (if used) should be at 1 inch
  diameter.
• If a suitable rope is not used the boundary must
  be clearly marked by a white line and markers set
  approximately 20 yards apart.

.continued
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Appendix 1 Grounds Minimum Criteria
Grounds Facilities

• Sightscreens
• Sightscreens of sufficient height and width must
  be available at both ends. Cloth or canvas
  screens are acceptable.
• Sightscreens must be easily portable, if movement
  is required for different bowling actions.
• Scoreboard/Score box
• At a minimum, scoreboard must show Total,
  Wickets, Overs, Individual Bowlers Overs, First
  Innings Total, Individual Batmens scores. The
  numbers should be easily accessible, simple to
  operate and in full working order.
• The details on the scoreboard should be readable
  from at least 90 of the playing area.
• Where feasible, clubs should install an
  electronic scoreboard
• The score box must be clean, reasonably
  comfortable with adequate chairs and tables and
  offer full protection from the weather.

• Covers
• Wheeled covers which are easily portable and have
  watertight joins and long hoses are desirable.
• Where wheeled covers are not in place, lay flat
  sheets/tarpaulins will be allowed.
• Lay flat covers should be designed to suit the
  covering of cricket pitches and be easily moved
  during games.
• Covers should be large enough to cover at least
  7o feet x 12 feet.
• Extra covers must be in place to cover at least 2
  more pitches on both sides of the match pitch,
  and at least 50 feet of both run-ups.

.continued
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Appendix 1 Grounds Minimum Criteria
Grounds Facilities

• Equipment
• A good quality cylinder mower must be used to cut
  the pitch and the square.
• A good quality cylinder mower must be used to cut
  the outfield.
• A 2-3 cwt roller must be available
• A 1.5 2.5 ton roller must be available.
• A Water Hog must be available.
• Spiker, Scarifier, Fertiliser Spreader, True Lute
  and all hand tools are required.
• Practice Area
• Two good turf or non-turf pitches should be
  available.

• Clubhouse
• Dressing rooms should be of adequate size and
  provide security for clothing, valuables and
  equipment.
• Showers must be clean and hygienic and
  conveniently located for players and umpires.
• Dressing room and clubhouse toilets must be clean
  and hygienic with washing and hand drying
  facilities.
• The Umpires room should be of a similar standard
  as the players.
• A First-Aid kit must be available at all times.
• A bell should be available to the Umpires to
  start all sessions.
• The general surrounds of the clubhouse and
  grounds should be well maintained and in good
  condition.

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Appendix 2 Technical/Communications
Governance Media/PR

• All Clubs to submit Starring Lists, and match
  result cards via electronic means by 2010
• The LCU website to be kept up to date with
  results and league tables for all Divisions to be
  posted on a regular basis
• Clubs to be encouraged to set up and maintain
  their own websites and to provide content for
  the LCU website as appropriate
• Clubs to utilise all local media (Local
  Radio/Local newspapers etc) in an effort to
  publicise and promote the sport of cricket within
  their area

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Appendix 3 - Criteria for Clubs in Senior Mens
Cricket
Playing Senior Club

• Minimum of THREE adult mens teams and ONE
  womens team.
• Minimum of TWO Youth teams one of which to be a
  girls team.
• The club ground pitch and outfield must be of
  a standard satisfactory to the LCU Grounds
  Committee. The club must have appropriate ground
  equipment to maintain the grounds in a
  satisfactory condition. Suitable sightscreens and
  scoreboard must be available
• The clubs facilities pavilion/changing rooms
  must be of a satisfactory standard
• The club must satisfy the LCU that it has an
  appropriate administrative structure in place
  and that all Regulatory requirements are met.
• See Appendix 1 for Grounds criteria.