The Isle of Wight Cricket Board have decided to cancel all its Under 14 and Under 16 ECB Competition games for the rest of the season.
Freshly appointed IWCB Cricket Development Manager Nick Heelan, left, reports that he has " been in discussion with the ECB, who have had contact from several of the larger Counties questioning the appropriateness of them playing against Island Under 14s and Under 16s as there is such a gulf in standards.
"The other Counties do not think it is to the benefit of the welfare and wellbeing of all the players involved. The reality is that we have always found it extremely tough as a very small County but we have tried to ‘box well above our weight ‘ and had some notable successes, but a lot of heavy losses."
He added: "I am seeing messages from parents that their children are no longer enjoying cricket which is against the whole aim of what we hope to achieve. I have discussed with quite a few parents and Directors about the potential of going into a District Model with Hampshire next year for the lower age ranges up to Under 16 .
"Most are in support of us exploring this potential and Hampshire have said they are happy to talk it through.
"We hope to rearrange some fixtures for the dates we have in our County diary so the players don’t lose too much cricket, but that will be a challenge this late in the season. "Hampshire have said if we send them the names and contact details for our strongest under 14s they will try to play them in their District model this season and those that shine will get access to other pathways.
"Unsurprisingly, we need to do some team building in the Under 14s as there have been a few incidents reported which fall below our code of conduct for players and parents.
It’s a time at which we need to consider how we want to shape the future of Junior cricket and all of you as players, parents and guardians have a voice in this."
Last Sunday, the IWCB played Hampshire in an ECB U18 County Cup tie, scoring 520-5 off 50 overs. The IWCB made 132 all out in reply.
Freshly appointed IWCB Cricket Development Manager Nick Heelan, left, reports that he has " been in discussion with the ECB, who have had contact from several of the larger Counties questioning the appropriateness of them playing against Island Under 14s and Under 16s as there is such a gulf in standards.
"The other Counties do not think it is to the benefit of the welfare and wellbeing of all the players involved. The reality is that we have always found it extremely tough as a very small County but we have tried to ‘box well above our weight ‘ and had some notable successes, but a lot of heavy losses."
He added: "I am seeing messages from parents that their children are no longer enjoying cricket which is against the whole aim of what we hope to achieve. I have discussed with quite a few parents and Directors about the potential of going into a District Model with Hampshire next year for the lower age ranges up to Under 16 .
"Most are in support of us exploring this potential and Hampshire have said they are happy to talk it through.
"We hope to rearrange some fixtures for the dates we have in our County diary so the players don’t lose too much cricket, but that will be a challenge this late in the season. "Hampshire have said if we send them the names and contact details for our strongest under 14s they will try to play them in their District model this season and those that shine will get access to other pathways.
"Unsurprisingly, we need to do some team building in the Under 14s as there have been a few incidents reported which fall below our code of conduct for players and parents.
It’s a time at which we need to consider how we want to shape the future of Junior cricket and all of you as players, parents and guardians have a voice in this."
Last Sunday, the IWCB played Hampshire in an ECB U18 County Cup tie, scoring 520-5 off 50 overs. The IWCB made 132 all out in reply.
