Zonal Cricket
The Zonal programme supports over 140 young cricketers aged from Under 10 to Under 13 every year.The Gloucestershire Zonal programme aims to bridge the gap between club and county young cricketers, providing more opportunities for players to improve and develop their game.
The Zonal programme has provided opportunities for hundreds of young cricketers the opportunity receive an annual programme of coaching and match play. It has also created a large pool of players that compete for county places for age groups from under 10s to 13s.
Our main purpose for running the Zonal programme:
- Improve young cricketers so they are more likely to stay in the game once they reach the common drop off age of 15 and;
- Safeguard our cricketers so more young cricketers stay at their clubs for many years in the future.
The Zonal programme sits underneath the boys County programme and been administered and managed by us the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation (GCF). As part of the new County Partnership Agreement with the ECB, first class counties now must deliver their own junior boys county programme. The Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) under the new leadership of Laura Charles-Price- laura.charles-price@glosccc.co.uk.
There are no expectations from the ECB for us to deliver any junior programmes under County level, however, we feel that there must be opportunities for young cricketers that fall under County level. This is where the Zonal programme sits. The Zonal programme consists of two squads per age group from Under 10s to 13s. Each squad will consist of 16 to 22 players meaning over 140 young cricketers receive a full performance programme. This involves a 12-week winter coaching programme where each squad receives 2 hours coaching per week.
Once players have completed the winter programme, squads will be created to play matches throughout the summer where the cricketers will have opportunities to play longer format cricket.
Having run this programme now for several years, we are starting to see the long term benefits of players improving and staying in the game. Players are also in the shop window, and we have seen Zonal players move up to County squads from the recommendation from Zonal coaches.
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 winter squads below.
Chris Munden / Cricket Operations Manager
His role covers a wide range of areas including overseeing all schools cricket, the incredible National Programmes of All Stars and Dynamos, Chance To Shine Schools and Street programmes along with being the key lead for Adult league Cricket. Chris also manages the Workforce Development Officer, as a highly competent coaching workforce is so integral to the work areas that he leads on. In his time the GCB have won awards that he had led on, including Chance to Shine County of the Year and Street Chance Project of the Year.
As a local Bristolian, Chris is a Bristol City fan, who enjoys all sports. Chris is married, has two beautiful daughters, plays local cricket and enjoys a good hack at golf.