Devon Cricket Board - First five sign-up for new U19 T20 comp

First five sign-up for new U19 T20 comp

BRADNINCH, Plympton, Paignton, Plymouth and Bideford have all signed up for a new ECB T20 competition – and other Francis Clark Devon League clubs are expected to follow suit.
The ECB, worried about the number of young players drifting away from the game, has launched a nationwide T20 tournament for under-19 players.
NatWest Bank are sponsoring the competition, which was tried out successfully last summer by Surrey, Kent, Durham and Yorkshire.
ECB and the Devon Cricket Board have teamed up with the Devon League to run the knock-out competition.
The most recent national cricket playing survey painted a gloomy picture of declining numbers of players graduating from under-15 cricket to the open age group game.
Derrick Foan, the chairman of Bradninch, said anything that keeps youngsters in the game deserves the widest support in Devon and further afield.
Foan went further, saying he would like to see the Devon League become involved in running a longer, Sundays-only countywide competition for players in the under-19 age bracket.
“Noting the deadline of December 1, it is crucial all DCL Clubs register ASAP, certainly those who run colts teams that, as we know, run out of steam beyond the under -15s age group,” said Foan.
“It will bridge the gap between junior and senior cricket, but following this T20 initiative, it would be hugely beneficial for the DCL to promote and administer a Devon-wide longer format under-19 league playing on Sundays.”
Ed Leverton, the Devon League secretary, said he hoped clubs would get behind the ECB initiative.
“It would be fantastic if there was a good response from clubs in the DCL to allow a meaningful competition to be held,” said Leverton.
ECB surveyed 1,000 young players – current and lapsed – to find out what encouraged them to play or otherwise.
Key responses were that players in the 16-19 age range want to play with their friends and prefer short-format games played in coloured kit and in a lively atmosphere.
ECB see the tournament as a midweek attraction, at least in the short term.
More detailed competition proposals will be put together once all entries are received.
Clubs interested in the new competition should contact Leverton at secretary@devoncricketleague.co.uk or on 07534 579924.
To find out more, click here for the ECB website page

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