CHAMPIONSHIP CRITERIA
1. The criteria below must be met by all teams wishing to compete in the YPLN’s Championship.
2. There are some circumstances where the League will allow a temporary dispensation. This will for example be where a club is carrying out planned alterations agreed with the League [example not exhaustive].
3. Teams in Division One who have intentions of promotion to the Championship must ensure that they are fully aware of the criteria.
4. Clubs in any doubt should contact the League.
ADMINISTRATION
Due Diligence: Each club must have a constitution and keep proper records of accounts. These should be available for inspection by the League if they deem it necessary.
Insurance: All clubs must be fully insured to include full public liability.
Governing Body Affiliation: All clubs must be affiliated to the Yorkshire Cricket Board.
ECB Clubmark Accreditation: All clubs must have valid ECB ClubMark accreditation.
Play-cricket: Clubs are required to have a ‘play-cricket’ website. This must be kept up to date. All clubs must keep the details on play-cricket up to date at all times. This includes the ‘About Us’ section, and the club official’s database. The YPLN use play-cricket to contact clubs.
Injury Surveillance. All teams competing in the ECB Premier Division OR the Championship must use the injury surveillance tool on Play-cricket.
Ground Availability: The ground that the relevant team plays on should be owned, leased, or subject to a long term agreement, and must be available on all dates when fixtures are scheduled.
GENERAL CONDUCT, SAFEGUARDING & EDI
General Conduct Regulations.: Clubs must ensure that they are fully aware of the GCR.
Safeguarding; All clubs must be fully compliant with the latest ECB safeguarding legislation.
Club Welfare Officer: All clubs must have a fully compliant CWO.
EDI: All clubs must be fully compliant with the latest ECB safeguarding legislation.
PLAYING STRENGTH & JUNIOR TEAMS
Playing Strength. All member clubs must have, as a minimum, 1st and 2nd XI’s. Other XI’s can be in other leagues.
Junior Cricket: The club has an active junior section that must include a minimum of three teams playing hardball cricket in junior league cricket. Note: Championship teams who fail to meet this criteria in its entirety will not be eligible for promotion to ECB Premier Division II. In extreme circumstance where clubs have produced a comprehensive plan the league may give a temporary dispensation, but only where a club has a minimum of two junior teams already playing hardball cricket.
Girls Cricket: We are currently awaiting confirmation of what exactly the ECB require in this respect.
Dynamoes Cricket: Teams competing in the ECB Premier Division & the Championship are expected to take part in the ECB Dynamoes cricket scheme. This is not compulsory but highly recommended.
All Stars Cricket: Teams competing in the ECB Premier Division & the Championship are expected to take part in the ECB All Stars cricket scheme. This is not compulsory but highly recommended.
GENERAL FACILITIES
Pavilion: The club must have a pavilion to which there is full access on all league and cup match days. This must be less than 50m away from the outfield boundary.
Facilities must not be restricted by other events.
First Aid: A well-stocked first aid box must be available at all times for the treatment of minor injuries. A person qualified in First Aid should be available.
Defibrillator. All clubs must have a defibrillator on site and available for use in case of an emergency. Teams who re-arrange fixtures to take place on another ground must ensure that a defibrillator is available for use.
Scoreboard:
Clubs should have a dedicated scoreboard (electronic or manual) which is clearly visible from most of the ground.
Portable scoreboards and tables in public area for scorers is not acceptable unless dispensation is approved due to work on improvements etc.
Scorers must not be placed in a public area.
The numbers on the scoreboard should show at least: Total; Wickets; Overs Bowled or Overs Remaining; First Innings Total; DLS and be of adequate size to be visible from the far side of the ground.
Scoreboard must show a live DLS score.
Internet access is required for scorers from both teams.
Changing Facilities
Separate secure dressing rooms must be provided for home & away teams. Changing rooms should be easily accessible from the playing area whilst preserving the privacy of the players, and should allow viewing of the playing area whenever possible. The changing rooms should have adequate security facilities to ensure the security of equipment and possessions.
Changing rooms must have toilet facilities within each changing room.
Adequate clean and hygienic showers with relevant maintenance regime should be available and conveniently located to allow private access by players and umpires.
Separate and secure accommodation must be provided for the umpires, of a similar standard to the players’ dressing rooms.
Bowler’s markers, umpire’s coats, drying cloths, ordinary and heavy bails and spare stumps should be available.
Toilet Facilities
Clubs must have separate toilet facilities for male & female spectators. Clean and hygienic toilet, washing and hand-drying facilities, adequately equipped (including mirrors) and serviced, must be available for both males and females.
Access for spectators must be consistent with the security and privacy requirements of players and umpires.
All facilities must meet legal requirements and should take account of the needs of the disabled.
Sightscreens
Unless backgrounds are painted white, it is mandatory that sight screens should be of sufficient size to remove the need for movement whether the bowler is bowling over or round the wicket. It is essential that they are adequate enough to provide full screening on one side of the wicket and which does not require movement when bowlers and batters are alternating from right to left hand.
The structure and non-reflective paintwork of the sight screens should be in good condition. They should be of an adequate and appropriate size for the ground and should be completely outside the playing area whenever possible.
Screens are to be provided at both ends unless explicit dispensation is given by the League Management Board. Not applicable where backgrounds are of white in colour.
Sight screens should be of a minimum of 8 metres in width to remove the need for movement whether the bowler is bowling over or round the wicket.
GROUND & PLAYING SURFACES
Ground Staff
Clubs are required to have a dedicated groundsman on hand during matches.
Playing Surfaces
The square should be well maintained and in good condition with the whole of it being cut within two days of the start of each match.
The pitch should be clearly distinguishable from the remainder of the square and shall be marked and rolled before play.
Stumps, which should be properly matched sets in good condition and with matching bails, shall be pitched by the groundsman with holes adequately watered to allow easy resetting by the umpires.
The pitch shall be brushed and re-marked (and rolled if required) during the interval between innings.
Any holes or ruts on the square caused by previous matches must be levelled, filled and firmed before a subsequent match.
The outfield must be well maintained and adequately drained.
The outfield must be closely mown with no noticeable grass cuttings.
Balls should be able to run true and the outfield should be free of holes, ruts or other obstructions that might pose a hazard to fielders.
The boundary should be clearly marked by rope or white line and with markers approximately 20 yards apart. (markers only necessary where there is a line, not necessary where a rope is provided).
Ground Surrounds
The surrounds should be maintained by regular cutting.
Fences and walls should be well maintained.
The entrance(s) to the ground should be clearly signed, showing the name of the club.
Seating for spectators should be in good condition.
Suitable measures should be taken to ensure that lost balls do not delay play.
Covers, Drying Equipment & Rollers
Wheeled covers are mandatory.
All covers must be available to protect the pitch and the bowlers’ run-ups from rain both during the match and in the preceding days as appropriate.
The covers must protect an area of at least 80 feet by 12 feet and clubs are encouraged to protect a larger area, including the bowlers’ run-ups, whenever possible.
Grounds must have a ‘water hog’ or other adequate type of water removing apparatus.
An adequate supply of sawdust and cloths must be available to minimise lost playing time due to wet ground conditions.
Light (5 to 10 cwt) and heavy (minimum 30 cwt) rollers should be available for use on the pitch.
At least one roller must be available for use during the match.
MATCH DAY PRACTICE
Net practice facilities should be available for use by both sides (ideally a minimum of two nets) before matches.
Any grass nets must be in good condition with true and predictable bounce.
HOSPITALITY & VISITOR OFFERING
Hospitality
Clubs should have a dedicated area for match teas. This can be part of the bar, as long as it is exclusive at the time of tea for players, scorers, and match officials.
Teas and, if provided, lunches should be of a good standard.
Where applicable the bar and surrounding area should have adequate facilities for players, supporters and families, including proper heating and seating arrangements.
Where applicable the bar should be adequately staffed and open before the close of play. It is not mandatory to have bar facilities.
The area used for serving meals (including teas) should be adjacent to the playing area, of adequate size to accommodate players, officials and a few spectators and in good clean decorative condition.
The kitchen must meet all legal health and safety requirements and provide hot and cold water, washing facilities, adequate worktops in clean and hygienic condition, suitable storage space including a refrigerator and sufficient crockery and cutlery in good condition.
There should be adequate spectator seating around the ground.
A seated area, ideally covered and sheltered, should be provided for the batting side to view the match.
Car Parking
Enough car parking for players and match officials must be available either within the ground or immediately adjacent to the ground. Every effort should be made to provide adequate car parking for spectators either within the ground or immediately adjacent to the ground.
The approaches to the car park, and the car park area itself, should be suitably surfaced without potholes or other hazards.
Clubs should make suitable provision for disabled access to the ground and social areas.