Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation published its first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Plan in 2022. We gave our plan the title ‘GRACE’ and it sets out our determination that cricket in Gloucestershire is a game for everyone.

Our GRACE plan defined specific activities and tasks following guidelines from the England and Wales Cricket Board and our own Inspiring Gloucestershire Strategy.

Our goals highlight five key areas to be delivered across the year:

1. Player Diversity & Development
2. Club & League Diversity
3. Policies, Practices & Governance
4. Development of Coaches, Officials & Volunteers
5. Game-wide Culture Change

Last year, we began by reviewing our Foundation’s policy and procedures for dealing with discrimination. We then provided comprehensive training for all our staff and achieved greater diversity within our board of trustees.

We have increased opportunities for players of all ages and backgrounds to pick up a bat and ball by developing our community programmes.  The African-Caribbean Engagement (ACE) Programme has expanded. We now have two urban hubs and we are visiting more schools.  Our Lords Taverner’s Super 1s scheme is growing and is providing inclusive ways to play cricket.  We launched Chance to Shine Street Cricket in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Our All Stars and Dynamos Cricket programmes have given South Asian Girls the opportunity to enjoy the game we love. Our Walking Cricket Programme, for players over 50, has grown, giving people the chance to play cricket at their own pace and to make new friends.

Our Girls County Age Group received more coaching and strength and conditioning support. We recognise that we can still do more but the Foundation’s girls’ programme now more closely mirrors the boys’ pathway.

Through our pioneering GRACE Campaign and by sharing the ECB’s new Anti-Discrimination Code (which clubs and leagues were asked to adopt and implement with immediate effect), we have worked to emphasise that all cricket in Gloucestershire should welcome and accept everybody. Our game is a game for all.  We have also shared information about where discrimination of any kind can be reported and we have ensured that the details have been visible across all levels of the game.  It was particularly powerful to see GRACE posters in the changing rooms and clubhouses across the county in 2022. We are proud that are our clubs and the grassroots game in Gloucestershire are backing our GRACE campaign.

We saw many successes in 2022 and have much to celebrate. But we are under no illusion that this is just the start, and the Foundation is committed to continuing on this journey in 2023. We are determined that Gloucestershire cricket is a game for everyone, and we pledge to continue to work hard to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

A key priority in 2023 will be to improve and share more widely with players our GRACE campaign. We want everyone involved in cricket to be aware of the GRACE principles. We want everyone to feel included and to enjoy cricket. Gloucestershire cricket – a game for everyone.

Consisting of specific activities and tasks from the ECB Game-wide Pledge, our Inspiring Gloucestershire Strategy and ECB Standards, our objectives are aligned to 5 key focus areas that are delivered throughout the year.