A girls section in place during 2026 and beyond. 

3 junior teams playing hardball cricket in 2026 [this can includes a girls hardball team]. 

ECB Clubmark  

ECB Affiliation 

The above list is not exhaustive. 

Starting on Friday 30th January at 12 noon, an automated notification will appear in each club's Play-Cricket Action Centre. 

Accepting the T&Cs requires just three clicks. A step-by-step walkthrough will guide the user through the new ‘Affiliation’ tab. 

Who Should Act: Clubs will be asked that this task is completed by someone in within the club with the suitable authority (e.g., Chair, Secretary). 

Clubs must complete this step by the compliance deadline of 31 March 2026. Your Recreational Cricket Board(s) (RCB) will be in touch with clubs directly regarding this process. They manage the affiliation list and will provide any specific county-level guidance. 

Other XI’s can be in other leagues. 

Clubs competing in the Championship must have a minimum of three junior teams [this can include girls teams playing hardball cricket in an YCF recognised junior cricket league] playing hardball cricket in an ECB recognised junior cricket league.  

Clubs should be aware that they must have three teams playing hardball cricket in 2026 in order to be promoted to ECB Premier Division II for the 2027 season. 

These teams can be at any Age Group from and including U9 up to U18 level and must enter a formal league competition recognised by the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF). 

Teams already in this division who who do not have three junior teams playing hardball cricket in an ECB recognised junior league must provide the league with a detailed plan on how they will reach the requirement within a 12 month timescale or face relegation to a divison where they meet the criteria at the earliest opportunity. 

Teams attempting to be promoted from Division One should be aware that no team will be promoted into the Championship unless they have three junior teams [this can include girls teams playing hardball cricket in an ECB recognised junior cricket league] playing hardball cricket in an ECB recognised junior cricket league. 

Dynamos Cricket: Teams competing in the Championship are expected to take part in the ECB Dynamos cricket scheme. This is not compulsory but highly recommended. 

All Stars Cricket: Teams competing in the Championship are expected to take part in the ECB All Stars cricket scheme. This is not compulsory but highly recommended. 

As a minimum - Clubs must have a designated Lead Activator for Girls’ Cricket, ideally someone relatable to young female players. 

As a minimum - Clubs must have a girls section in place. 

Clubs are encouraged to support this individual in completing a coaching qualification; bursaries are available through the Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund. 

Clubs will have had a planning discussion with YCF staff and should have included girls’ cricket in their club development plans. 

Clubs must have played a minimum of one Girls fixture indoor or outdoor, softball or hardball, competitive or friendly recorded on play-cricket by 31st October 2026. Thereafter, any club failing to meet the girls’ playing offer requirements will be ineligible to play in the two 1st XI divisions of an ECB Premier League. 

Clubs must have run a Girls-Only Cricket Programme, either via Roses Cricket powered by Dynamos or another suitable girls-only format. 

Mixed-gender programmes will not meet this requirement. 

If a club plans to play their fixture during the winter, or indoor, after 31st October, then YCF need to be notified with evidence of this plan. Clubs will then be held accountable to a deadline of 31st March 2027 for this fixture to be complete (YCF will look to support indoor girls activity over the winter, so please encourage clubs to reach out to the W&Gs team should they wish to be involved) 

YCF can support with bursaries for Dynamos if needed - Women & Girls - Get involved - Girl's cricket 

Clubs are encouraged to continue recruiting and training volunteers, with support again available from the Metro Bank Fund 

Clubs that can evidence sustained attempts to create a girls’ section by 31st March 2026, which is supported by the YCF, will not be subject to a points penalty ahead of the 2026 season. This evidence should include regular dialogue with YCF staff over a prolonged period and examples of activity delivery e.g. softball taster sessions, school engagement etc. 

Clubs are required to have a ‘play-cricket’ website which must be kept fully 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. 

All players must be fully registered members of their club’s Play-Cricket website before trying to register. The league will not approve any player unless they meet this requirement, except for some junior players who have been flagged to the league by their club. 

All players must be fully registered and be a member of their clubs play-cricket website before playing in the Championship for the 2026 season and beyond.. 

Clubs should have a dedicated scoreboard (electronic or manual) which is clearly visible from most of the ground. 

Portable scoreboards are not acceptable. 

The numbers on the scoreboard should show at least: Total; Wickets; Overs Bowled or Overs Remaining; First Innings Total; and be of adequate size to be visible from the far side of the ground. 

A live DLS score must be shown. This can be on a portable unit but must be kept up to date. 

Internet access is required for scorers from both teams. 

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. 

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. 

Clubs should have separate toilet facilities for 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. 

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. 

If only one screen is in place it must be a minimum of 8m wide. 

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. 

The square must be well maintained and in good condition. 

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). 

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. 

Wheeled covers are mandatory at this level. 

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 and be used during play and in the days prior to the match. 

Grounds must have an 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. 

Clubs must 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.. 

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 kitchen must meet all legal health and safety requirements. 

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. 

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. 

Clubs must make suitable provision for disabled access to the ground and social areas.