14th April 2021
| Mallory Gray
Cricket Wales and Glamorgan Cricket are pleased to officially launch Inspiring Generations (Cenedlaethau Ysbrydoledig) - Our strategy for Cricket in Wales', to 2024.
The strategy, originally presented to the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in early March 2020, is the culmination of over 2 years' collaborative work between Cricket Wales, Glamorgan Cricket and a number of key local partners and stakeholders.
Alongside this joint strategy, both organisations have recently submitted, as part of their funding commitment from the ECB, a self-assessment of their current performance against a set number of standards and priorities set for the professional and recreational game.
Having co-identified 5 key priorities and a number of milestones, deliverables and KPIs as part of our plans, we have committed to tracking and regularly reporting our progress to our respective Boards of Directors and members.
The main objectives for Cricket in Wales over the next 4 years will be to:
1. Develop successful teams and players
2. Create a network of great cricket venues, through smart, strategic capital investment
3. Increase the number of people positively experiencing cricket, to create a life-long love of the game
4. Ensure a great player and fan experience at every level
5. Make the game sustainable and secure the game for future generations
Cricket Wales' specific strategic priorities in 2021, in addition to ensuring a Covid-safe return to play for all participants, will be
i) Young people starting - and staying - in our sport, especially through All Stars Cricket & Dynamos Cricket, but also through existing leagues and our Regional and Wales Age-group pathway
ii) Women's and Girls' Cricket - by far cricket's biggest and most exciting growth opportunity
iii) Keeping our game safe - through, among other initiatives, the expanded roll-out of ECB's new Safe Hands Management System.
Cricket Wales CEO, Leshia Hawkins, commented, "While we are, for obvious reasons, a year later than we had all hoped to be in launching Inspiring Generations officially, this is still an exciting day for Cricket in Wales, and many people should be extremely proud of their efforts in putting this plan together.
"We continue to be grateful to our colleagues at Glamorgan for their support of our endeavours, especially that which we have received from players and coaches in the last year in particular, lending us their platforms and influence, to help amplify our messaging and ambitions for recreational cricket.
"I am looking forward to seeing these joint plans between our organisations bear fruit this summer; We are already outperforming our previous years' results in terms of new kids coming into our sport through All Stars, and now Dynamos - and women's and girls' cricket is just booming.
"I genuinely believe cricket has huge potential in Wales, and my team and I are excited by the prospect of growing our sport further in the coming years."
Glamorgan Cricket CEO, Hugh Morris, added,
"Our Inspiring Generations strategy demonstrates our commitment to the longevity of our wonderful sport, here in Wales. In light of recent times, this strategy remains a vital framework to ensure cricket in Wales can not only bounce back but thrive, in a post-Covid-19 world.
"Key to our success will be the promotion of our own cricket heroes, here at Glamorgan. Our 2021 season is off to a good start, and we look forward to our first home fixture tomorrow at Sophia Gardens.
"Later this summer sees the introduction of the Hundred competition, and the opportunity to watch international men’s and women’s cricket stars, in the heart of the Welsh capital. We hope to be able to welcome as many fans as possible to the ground.
"And, after all, as the only Welsh team to represent an entire country rather than a county, we are in a truly unique position to be able to help shape and inspire people’s love for the sport of summer."
Click to view: Inspiring Generations