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CLUBMARK is a Quality Assurance Qualification introduced by Sport England and governed for cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

   Matlock Cricket Club was accredited by ECB in 2008 and this year passed the mandatory 3rd year re-accreditation.

   Clubmark sets and monitors standards in 4 major areas:-

  Duty of Care and Safeguarding Children

   Ensuring that all children who play cricket have a safe, positive and fun experience, whatever their level of involvement.

  The Cricket Programme

   Ensuring that the combination of coaching, training and competition assists young players to realise their potential.

   Clubs have to demonstrate that coaches are trained to appropriate levels and that the activity undertaken in the club reflects best practice in the development of young people, e.g. coaches are required to ensure that young people do not train excessively or in conditions that may cause injury or discomfort.

   Clubs have developing a competition programme, vital for young people as it is one significant reason why many join a club in the first place. Clubs are required to provide suitable intra and/or inter club competition.

   Guidance is provided on supervising young players and minimum player:coach ratios. Coaching staff have a key role in establishing an appropriate coaching environment and creating a successful playing programme.

  Cricket in the Community Ð "One Game"

   Widening the appeal of cricket to ensure as many people as possible are welcomed into the game at all levels regardless of age, race, ability, gender, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.

  Club Management

   That Clubs are well managed tend and have well ordered finances, and keep volunteers and members well-informed with good communication.

   Encourages strong links with external partners, such as sports development agencies and local schools, and relationships developed with the ECB to ensure that good practice is maintained. A well managed club plans for the future as well as being prepared in the event of an emergency.

   Clubmark status is now a mandatory requirement for all Premier League Clubs and is expected to filter down into the Derbyshire County Cricket League. Over 30 Derbyshire Clubs are accredited but only Matlock, Clifton and Wirksworth & Middleton in the Derbyshire Dales.

   Clubmark is essential to all grant applications.

   In brief Clubmark accreditation assures parents that their children will receive quality cricket training and education in a safe environment free of discrimination and which provides a player pathway to representative cricket for talented players at a well managed Club with first class facilities Ð benefits which overflow into senior cricket.

   Codes of Practice and the Club Constitution can be found in the library section of this website.

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