Purpose

Blythe Cricket Club is committed to providing a safe, structured, and inclusive environment for all members during training sessions and net use. This policy sets out the minimum safety standards for equipment, supervision, and practice structures in line with ECB guidance.

 

Principles

• The welfare of players is the first priority.

• Safe Hands safeguarding standards apply at all times.

• Training sessions and nets must be supervised by appropriately qualified coaches or responsible adults.

• The type of equipment, balls, and protective gear must always reflect age and stage of development.

 

Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Helmets:

  • Mandatory for all U18s when batting against a hard ball or keeping wicket standing up.

  • Adults strongly encouraged to wear helmets.

• Pads, Gloves, Abdominal Protectors (Boxes):

  • Must be worn by all hard-ball batters.

• Wicketkeeping Gear:

  • Full protective kit (pads, gloves, helmet when standing up) must be used.

• Thigh, arm, chest and face guards: Optional but recommended for juniors facing quicker bowling.

 

Supervision Ratios (Aligned with ECB Guidance)

• Hard-ball training:

  • Minimum 1 coach/responsible adult per 8 players.

• Soft-ball sessions (All Stars, Dynamos, softball festivals):

  • Minimum 1 activator/coach per 12 players.

• Mixed age sessions:

  • Additional support staff must be provided to cover safeguarding (male/female helpers as appropriate).

• Unsupervised net use:

  • Not permitted for juniors.

  • Seniors may use nets without supervision, but must follow this policy.

 

Ball Types by Age/Stage

• Under 8–10: Incrediballs, windballs, softballs.

• Under 11–12: Incrediballs or junior hard balls (depending on readiness and ECB stage).

• Under 13–15: Junior hard balls (4¾ oz), step up to senior hard-ball (5½ oz).

• Under 16–18: Senior hard balls (5½ oz).

• Adult: Standard senior cricket balls.

Coaches must use softer balls for skill development, confidence-building, and mixed-age sessions where appropriate.
 

Net & Training Area Safety

• Pre-session check: Coaches/captains/responsible adult must inspect nets, matting, and surrounds for damage, hazards, or debris before use.

• One batter per net: Only one live batter in each net lane at a time. No side-on or behind stumps practice without supervision.

• Bowling order: Clear rotation system to prevent crowding behind bowlers.

• Spectator & waiting zones: Players waiting to bat/bowl must stand outside the safety zone and wear helmets if padding up close to nets.

• Coaching inside nets: Only qualified coaches or activators may enter a live net while balls are in use.

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Coaching Standards

• All lead coaches must hold an ECB Core Coach or higher.

• All junior coaches/helpers must hold a valid ECB DBS and follow Safe Hands training.

 

Safeguarding Considerations

• Mixed gender sessions: Must have at least one male and one female responsible adult present when both boys and girls are training.

• Parental presence: Parents are welcome but must observe from outside training zones.

• Photography/video: Must comply with the Club’s Data Protection/GDPR & Social Media policy.

 

Incident Reporting

• Any accidents, near-misses, or injuries must be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer and recorded in the Club Accident Book.

• Concussion or suspected head injuries require immediate withdrawal from activity and follow the Club’s Concussion/Head Injury Policy.

 

Enforcement

• Coaches, captains, and the Club Safeguarding Officer are responsible for enforcing this policy.

• Failure to comply may lead to removal from the session and, if repeated, disciplinary action under the Club Disciplinary Policy.

 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee and updated in line with ECB guidance.