1. Earls Colne Cricket Club
Cricket Development Plan

2. Introduction & Background
In 2015 and 2016 Earls Colne Cricket Club (ECCC) has experienced significant problems in recruiting and retaining enough players to sustain a viable adult team for the Sunday League (North Essex Cricket League)
The Club managed to retain its position as a member of the NECL in although some fixtures had to be cancelled
Unfortunately in 2016 the position became untenable due to lack of adult playing resources and a decision was taken to withdraw ECCC from NECL for the 2016 season
The position has recently been reviewed with an eye on the 2017 season. It has been decided that the Club will not re-enter the League next year but will instead focus on developing a core of adult players for friendly cricket and promoting youth cricket as a way forward

3. ECCC Youth Cricket
In 2015 and 2016, ECCC ran an under 15 Colts side which entered the NEDB League. The colts group currently stands at around 15 members. Training sessions have been held on Wednesday evenings during the school summer term. ECC is also a member of the Jack Petchey Award scheme, making 3 awards each year
In addition, Kwik Cricket sessions have been held on Sunday mornings with 7-10 year olds making a group of youngsters
The Club has supported the colts and kwik cricket groups by investing in external qualified coaching resources assisted by Club volunteers

4. Plan for 2017
ECC will play friendly adult cricket with the expectation that about fixtures will be arranged
The Club will aim to rebuild its base of local adult players and in addition friendly fixtures will be used as an opportunity to introduce colts into adult cricket as and where appropriate
A programme of after school cricket clubs will be established in Earls Colne Primary School, starting in January 2017 with a view to attracting year olds into the Club to play colts cricket
The Club will continue to run an under-15 colts team and intend to enter the NEDB League

5. Plan for 2017 (continued)
The Club will continue to run a kwik cricket group as before, hopefully building up the numbers to around 30 youngsters
The Club will enter 2-3 kwik cricket tournaments and will consider organising a tournament of its own
The Club will continue to invest in external coaching resource to support the colts and kwik cricket groups
Depending on the position in 2017, the Club will consider re-entering league cricket in 2018