Zonal Cricket
The performance programme will support 144 young players aged from Under 10 to Under 13.OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN HUGELY PROUD OF THE ‘DISTRICT’ PROGRAMME FOR JUNIOR CRICKETERS.
This has provided opportunities for hundreds of young cricketers to 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 15s.
Our main purpose of running District cricket has been to improve young cricketers so they:
- Are more likely to stay in the game once they reach the common drop off age of 15 and;
- Improve as players so themselves and local cricket clubs see the long-term benefit in years to come
District Cricket has always been delivered side by side with the 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 county programme. In real terms this means the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) have taken over the management of the junior county programme led by Mark Thorburn (Head of Performance).
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 new Zonal programme sits. The Zonal programme will consist of two squads per age group from Under 10s to 13s. Each squad will consist of 18 players meaning 144 young cricketers will 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.
We are hugely excited and feel that players and clubs will see the long-term benefit.
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.