Focus Club

Background

Establishing the Focus Club network was a process launched on the back of ECB new Strategic Plan 'Building Partnerships' (Playground to Test Arena) a blueprint for cricket's continued success and development over a four-year period 2005-09

A second ECB Strategic Plan 2010-13 entitled 'Grounds to Play' has now been released and it is in the areas of facilities and coaches where the investment will be targeted

In 2007 the Club signed a Focus Club Memorandum of Understanding after satisfying the prerequisites

• The Club is affiliated to ECB via the Yorkshire Cricket Board;

• The Club is committed to achieving the objectives within 'Building Partnerships';

• The Club has achieved and is currently maintaining ECB ClubMark Accreditation evidencing that they are a safe, effective and child friendly club;

• Has a commitment to monitoring and evaluation; and

• Attends and actively participates in a local Cricket Development Group

Focus Club Criteria

• The Club will work in partnership with ECB, the County Board, schools and the community to deliver high quality agreed Development Plan outcomes;

• The Club has a Development Plan that has been approved by the County Board and is reviewed and updated annually - increase capacity, improve quality (by 31st August every year);

• Produce annual figures for the ECB on-line data for ECB, YCB and other key partners (by 31st August every year);

• Has strong and continued links with all key strategic partners;

• The Club has an active junior section and ensures the safest possible junior development programme that fully incorporates issues such as Child Welfare

• The Club is committed strategically to the delivery of junior development programmes and activities including specific target groups;

• Ensure that a minimum of one formal Club-School link is in place;

• Annually increase participation, volunteers, players, coaches and improve quality;

• Share 'best practice' with other Focus/ non-Focus Clubs;

• Have signed up for 'NatWest Cricket Force' by 5 February 2010 and actively take part each year; and

• Support local clubs in the Focus Club Community Cluster to assist development of increasing participation, ClubMark and Club-School links

Focus Club Community Cluster

The Focus Club Community Cluster is in essence, the geographic area and is a collaboration of:

• Steeton Cricket Club;

• The partnership of schools (including primary, secondary, SEN schools and FE colleges);

• Local community groups; and

• Local business and sponsors

www.steeton.cc