The Clean Bowl Action Plan
Having recognised that there was a need to address the issue of achieving racial equality in cricket and to create pathways for the huge talent base from the Minority Ethnic Community to realise its potential, Lancashire Cricket Board has shown a proactive approach. An Action Plan has been in place since 1997.
Lancashire Cricket Board is committed to bring about a complete integration of Minority Ethnic Communities into mainstream cricket with its objective -
”To develop pathways for the Minority Ethnic Community into mainstream cricket through greater communication, understanding of the issues and by providing support, advice and guidance on the development programmes, which are specifically aimed at Minority Ethnic Community.”
Indications are that ethnic minority participation is on the increase in terms of numbers of players and coaches at all levels and in all areas. However, there is a need to encourage more involvement in the areas of administration, committees and as officials.
Cricket is reliant upon the support and delivery of its policies by all those involved in our national summer game at all levels whether as players, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers and supporters. It is hoped that more people of ethnic minority origin will come forward to supplement current staff and volunteers and take advantage of the opportunities that exist.
It is now two and a half years since the ECB comprehensive document
“Going Forward Together” - a report on racial equality in cricket - was published. Subsequently the 17 recommendations contained in that report, with minimal amendments, were adopted by ECB and reported as policies in the publication “Action Plans for Racial Equality in Cricket”.
Although Lancashire Cricket Board has been ahead of the game, it recognises that achieving Equity in cricket will not happen overnight. It entails change at a fundamental level; changing the way things have been done traditionally; changing how we behave as participants and spectators; better understanding of ‘Cultural Diversity’ that is now part of our society; changing the committee composition; looking at how rules are interpreted; and creating access enabling participation at all levels of cricket. Lancashire Cricket Board has embraced the ECB
“Action Plans for Racial Equality in Cricket” in its entirety and committed to achieve all its objectives.
A lot of progress has already been made towards achieving our objectives. Some examples are as follows:
Formulation of Ethnic Minority Cricket Development Forums
In order to engage more people from the local ethnic minority communities, ‘Minority Ethnic Community Sub-Development Groups’ have been set up in Burnley, Pendle, Bolton, Blackburn and Preston districts. Work in other areas is under progress. Representatives from these groups also sit on Borough Cricket Development Groups.
Use of EM Role Models in promotion and coaching
Lancashire Cricket Board in conjunction with EM Cricket Development Forum and LAs in Burnley, Pendle and Bury has organised and delivered coaching programmes targeting Ethnic Minority children, aged between 9 to 15 years during the summer holidays. The programme was delivered at four local venues using clubs and schools facilities. Former Pakistani, Indian, South African and West Indian Test and First Class Cricketers (Asif Mujtaba, Iqbal Sikander, Shahid Mehboob, Narendra Hirwani, Naeem Ashraf, Steve Dublin, Dale Benkenstein) were used as coaches and role models. Publicity of the programmes was done in form of Letters to all the schools and clubs, A4 and A5 size posters and through local radio and print media. Over 120 children took part in the programme. Although mainly targeted at EM children these coaching programmes were open to other children as well. Approximately 75% of the children were from the local Asian Communities.
ECB Coaching Courses, Umpires & Scorers Courses and Administration Courses for Ethnic Minority Community
· Two Level-1 courses have been delivered. (26 Qualified)
· One Umpires Course has been organised (Pendle and Burnley area) January 2002
· One Administration Course has been organised (Pendle and Burnley area) February 2002
Ethnic Minority / Inner City Activity
· Channel 4 ‘Street Cricket’ programme (May 2001) in Blackburn area was a huge success (As shown on Television) over 200 Children (Aged between 9 to 15 years), mainly from local Asian community, were benefited through organised coaching over 3 days during Pakistan Test Match at Old Trafford. A number of Indian and Pakistani international pros were present to encourage the children.
· An introductory course was also delivered for the volunteers from the ethnic minority communities. (8 attendees)
Co-operation between CCB/Club/CDG and Local Authority
As a direct result of Blackburn with Darwen Cricket Development Group raising the issue of poor pitches (10 NTPs) and playing conditions at local Playing Fields in Pleasington area of Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council agreed to replace 3 pitches and regular grass cutting prior to the matches. Blackburn and District Cricket League use these pitches. 90% of the teams and players are from the local EM community.
As a result of CDO’s approach, Preston Borough Council’s Parks Department installed 4 new Non Turf pitches (supplied by Notts Sports) at Moor Park site for the use of local Asian Community.
Active Sports Programme
One venue based Active Sports ‘Stage One Coaching Course’ targeting Ethnic Minority children in Deepdale area of Preston Borough Council has been organised.
The introduction of Sport England’s five year Active Sports project has given an impetus and huge boost to cricket’s work in the racial equality arena. These programmes will also enhance and hasten cricket’s progress towards its aim as initiatives are built upon to become sustainable in cricket’s mainstream.
Although cricket’s position is that its core business is cricket, of which achieving racial equality is an important part of that business.
Lancashire Cricket Board is, at present, in the process of formulating a new 3-Year strategy and a ‘Development Plan’. In recognising that progress has been, and is continuing to be made, towards racial equality and bringing minority ethnic communities closer to the mainstream, there are still more to be done, policies need to be further developed and progressed. There is no room for complacency.
Given that cricket continues to be realistic and practical in its approach and commitment, Lancashire Cricket Board is convinced that a clear pathway for all to maximise their potential in our great game of cricket can be achieved.
RP Singh
Cricket Development Manager (Lancashire Cricket Board)
Definitions
Racism is:
Conduct, words or practices which advantage or disadvantage people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin.
Institutional Racism is:
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance thoughtlessness and racial stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people. (Macpherson Report, 1999)
ECB
Equal Opportunity and Sports Equity Policy
Mission Statement
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) declares its ongoing commitment to a policy of equal opportunity and equity in cricket both as a National Governing Body and as an employer.
This policy will continue to be implemented through creating more opportunities and encouraging increased participation in the game for everyone at all levels and in all roles.
Irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, creed, colour, social status and sexual orientation, ECB will continue to ensure all present, potential and future employees receive fair and equal treatment through its personnel policies and practice.
Furthermore if any employee practices direct discrimination he or she will be liable to disciplinary action by ECB.
ECB policy ensures that in its provision and delivery of services and activities, individuals will not be disadvantaged through the imposition of conditions and/or requirements, which cannot be fully justified.
In pursuance of its policy, ECB reserves the right to take special measures and/or positive action for any group which is under represented in its various areas of activity within the terms of reference of the relevant Acts of Parliament.
Following the successful integration of Women’s Cricket and the current formulation and subsequent delivery of a Development Plan for Cricket for the Disabled, further action plans will be established to combat racial disadvantage and discrimination.
ECB recognises the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of its policy and will produce a report annually.
ECB will ensure this formal declaration of its policy through its Mission Statement and subsequent Action Plans will be communicated throughout cricket.
