A New Year Message from Barry Cawte, CEO of Cricket Wales

Happy New Year to our cricket family across Wales.

You’ll notice this message is arriving a week into 2026, and that’s entirely intentional. In a world that often demands we ‘hit the ground running’ or charge into January at full throttle, I wanted to take a different approach, one that reflects who we are and what we value at Cricket Wales.

Our value of Care isn’t just a word on a page; it’s about being intentional, thoughtful, and mindful of the balance and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, clubs, and the extended cricket community we’re privileged to serve. Sometimes the best way to move forward with purpose is to take a breath, reflect, and then proceed with clarity and energy that’s sustainable.

An Exciting Year Ahead

And what a year 2026 promises to be. I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead for cricket in Wales and I hope you are too.

The growth of the women’s game continues to inspire us all. We’re seeing more girls and women picking up a bat and ball, more opportunities being created, and more barriers being broken down. This is a transformation and we’re committed to accelerating that momentum throughout 2026 and beyond.

This year marks a significant milestone as we implement our new strategy in true collaboration with Glamorgan Cricket. This partnership is about genuine collaboration, shared ambition, and a unified vision for cricket across our nation. Together, we’re building clear pathways from grassroots through our regional programmes all the way to elite cricket with Glamorgan. It’s an exciting time for Glamorgan too, and the prospect of seeing Welsh talent progressing through these pathways and onto bigger stages fills us with pride and anticipation.

While elite cricket captures headlines, the heartbeat of our sport lies in its recreational side. Cricket in all its forms must thrive, whether that’s traditional club cricket on a Saturday afternoon, shorter formats that fit modern lifestyles, or informal games that bring communities together.

We’re focused on ensuring our clubs don’t just survive but thrive. Because when clubs flourish, communities are created. And that’s where cricket’s true magic happens , the common thread of our sport weaving together people from all walks of life, creating connections, building friendships, and having a hugely positive impact that reaches far beyond the boundary rope.

A Sport For All

This year marks another milestone: Cricket Wales becoming a registered charity. This new status opens doors to organisations, funders, and partners who share our positive ambition and want to be part of something meaningful. It’s an invitation to join us in making cricket truly accessible to all.

A Sport For All isn’t just our tagline, it’s our promise and our mission. We’re committed to creating access to cricket through schools, clubs, and communities across all demographics, all abilities, all socio-economic groups. Cricket should be for everyone, and we’re working hard to break down every barrier that stands in the way of someone experiencing the joy our sport brings.

Challenge

I won’t shy away from the reality that we’re working towards all our strategic goals at a time of significant funding reduction, precisely when we need to invest more resources into delivering our ambitious strategy. It’s challenging, no question. But the talent within our team, the tireless effort of our volunteers, and the unwavering support of the cricketing community all working towards our shared goal of keeping cricket alive and thriving in Wales gives me every confidence. Our determination, creativity, and collective resilience as a united team will see us through.

Our Team – The Heart of Everything

None of this is possible without people, and I’m incredibly proud of the team we’re building at Cricket Wales. We operate as a highly functioning team with clear roles, effective communication, and strong collaboration, enabling us to deliver results efficiently and adapt to challenges with confidence.

Ours is an environment built on psychological safety where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, raising concerns, and engaging in open dialogue without fear of judgement. We value mutual respect at all levels, appreciating each person’s expertise and perspectives, creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s contributions are valued.

The leadership team works hard to earn your trust through transparency, consistency, and support, which strengthens alignment and confidence in our decision making. And beyond professionalism, there’s something special about our team spirit, we genuinely enjoy working together, creating a positive and engaging atmosphere where collaboration feels rewarding and fun.

As we grow, we have new vacancies joining our dynamic team. If you or someone you know shares our values and wants to be part of this journey, please visit our website to explore opportunities to contribute to the future of cricket in Wales.

Cricket in Wales is thriving. Our clubs are vibrant, our volunteers are passionate, our players are developing, and our community is growing. Yes, there are always challenges ahead, but with the right values, the right partnerships, and the right people, I’m confident 2026 will be a year we look back on with pride.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a player, coach, volunteer, administrator, supporter, or simply someone who loves what cricket brings to our communities, you matter, and your contribution makes a difference.

Here’s to a balanced, purposeful, and exciting 2026.

Barry