Western District Cricket Union

Welcome to the Western District Cricket Union website.  The Union organises and promotes cricket to half the population of Scotland, from Dumfries & Galloway in the south-west, up the west coast, and across the central belt to the Forth Valley.  We co-ordinate with the West District Junior Cricket Union, local authorities and Cricket Scotland to encourage youth development and provide a structured developmental pathway with the aim of allowing the game to flourish and grow at all levels.  From the Premier Division to the Greenwood Trophy, the Union provides competitions for all its member clubs, from 50-over Saturday cricket to competitive T20 competitions.

Latest news and notices

  • Job Advertisement Head Coach/Development Office (26th February 2025)

    Job Advertisement

    Head Coach/Development Officer

     

    Renfrew Cricket Club, currently competing in Division 1 of the Western District Cricket Union (WDCU), is seeking to appoint a Head Coach/Development Officer with a minimum qualification of ECB Level 2 or an equivalent coaching accreditation.

    This role will be pivotal in supporting the development of the club’s current adult and junior members, attracting new players, and working collaboratively with the senior and junior cricket convenors to strengthen the club’s overall performance.

    Key Responsibilities:

    Head Coach:

    • Collaborate with the Senior Convenor to establish clear development pathways for players progressing through the senior teams, identifying and nurturing talent.
    • Provide input into senior team selection and work closely with senior captains to implement the approved development pathway.
    • Support match-day duties for the first XI in partnership with the team captain.
    • Develop and oversee a comprehensive winter training and development programme for senior and junior players, including the establishment of an academy offering group and one-to-one coaching sessions to generate additional income.
    • Deliver the fourth year of the club’s successful “Introduction to Cricket for Adults” programme and support the development of veterans’ cricket.
    • Lead the creation and implementation of a women’s cricket programme.

    Development Officer:

    • Work alongside the Junior Convenor and Active Schools coordinators to increase participation across boys’ and girls’ age groups, from All Stars/Dynamos to junior teams.
    • Organise and deliver development initiatives, including school festivals and summer camps

     

    Performance Monitoring:

    • Key performance indicators (KPIs) will be established to track progress and achievement of the outlined objectives.

    Qualifications and Experience:

    1. ECB Level 2 Coach or equivalent qualification.
    2. Relevant coaching and playing experience, supported by references from previous clubs detailing both playing and coaching abilities.
    3. Proven track record of senior cricket experience.

    Working Hours and Remuneration:

    • The role requires flexibility, with an average of 37.5 hours per week to accommodate the club’s requirements.
    • Remuneration will be negotiable based on the experience and credentials of the successful applicant.

    Application Process:

    Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing remuneration expectations and a CV to: renfrewcricketclub@gmail.com for consideration.

    We look forward to receiving applications from passionate and committed cricket professionals who are eager to contribute to the growth and success of Renfrew Cricket Club.

     

     

  • WDCU Adminstrator (24th February 2025)
    Please note that Iain Murdoch resigned from his position as WDCU Administrator in late January and we have been working hard in the background to reorganise in his absence.
    Iain did a great job in his two years as our administrator and we thank him for his efforts and we wish him well for the future. If we didn’t know this already, the administrator is a key position for us and Iain will be difficult to replace. In the meantime, we have agreed as a committee to pick up the various aspects of his role between us and will communicate any changes moving forward.
  • Cricket Scotland Captain’s Meeting (21st January 2025)
    As part of the planning process for the 2025 season, Cricket Scotland along with your regional representatives, and our colleagues in CSMOA,  are planning a series of Captain Forums across the country in March.
    Our intention is to open up dialogue with key figures within the domestic game (the team captains) and discuss some of the issues that arose during the 2024 season and the plans for the 2025 season. It will also be an opportunity for team captains to raise any issues and ask any questions they may have.
    The invite is extended to all individuals who perform the role of team captain, irrespective of level or league, within your club. Accordingly,  we would be grateful if you were able to identify to your regional representatives, your team captains for the 2025 season in order that we might extend an invite to attend their nearest local forum.
    Thank you and kind regards,
    Andrew McDowell, Cricket Scotland Conduct in Sport Manager
  • New Year Update from WDCU (14th January 2025)
    Happy New Year all,
    As the year rolls into 2025 and cricketers across the region start to get their minds focused on the 2025 season I enclose an update from the WDCU. Can you please ensure that you read the full email as it contains important information, and also to ensure that you inform the appropriate people within your club. Thanks
    Season Dates
    The 2025 WDCU League season will run for all Divisions, apart from Premiership 3, from Saturday 3rd May to Saturday 30th August inclusive. Premiership 3 will run from Saturday 26th April to Saturday 6th September inclusive.
    Divisional Placings for Season 2025
    The WDCU will continue, for season 2025, with the existing tier structure. For season 2025 WDCU has seen the inclusion of 4 new teams, sadly there has also been the loss of 3 teams from 2024.
    In creating the composition of the divisions the WDCU CMC has considered the League Administration Rules and also a number of requests of extenuating circumstances from some clubs. The WDCU CMC consider the finalised structure to be the best fit for the forthcoming season. The playing conditions for the new Championship 4 will be the same as those for Championship 3.
    The 2025 Divisional placings are as below.
    Competitions Structure Sub Committee 
    As indicated at both the WDCU Club Forum and WDCU AGM, WDCU are initiating a sub-committee tasked with reviewing all competitions currently run by the WDCU to establish if they are fit for purpose in their current format. This sub-committee will be expected to produce recommendations to the WDCU CMC for them to consider how best to agree with clubs the adoption of any such recommendations. The WDCU CMC note that any recommendations towards League structure will be for season 2026 at the earliest.
    Overseas Amateurs 
    At the 2024 WDCU AGM clubs voted to remove the age restriction currently applied to Overseas Amateurs. This brings the WDCU in line with the EPL. The 2025 League Administration rules will be amended to reflect this change.
    It is STILL the responsibility of the club to ensure any Overseas Amateur engaged fully meets the criteria set out in the Home Office Immigration rules for cricket.
    Coloured Clothing 
    As indicated in the 2024 Pre-season notes (issued April 2024), coloured clothing will be mandatory in ALL WDCU Leagues and Cup competitions for season 2025.
    WDCU Subscriptions
    At the AGM the WDCU recommended and was agreed by clubs that the annual subscriptions rates increase as follows:
    Full Member Class 1 – £240
    Full Member Class 2 – £70
    Affiliate Member Class 3 – £35
    Invoices will be issued in the coming weeks.
    Fair Play System
    At the AGM the WDCU recommended and agreed by clubs that a Fair Play system will be introduced in season 2025 as a trial.  More details will follow in due course.
  • 2024 WDCU Club Forum – Monday 25th November 7pm. Old Anniesland (14th November 2024)
    Following responses from club’s to the recent club survey we have organised an in-person club forum on Monday 25th November at 7pm at Old Anniesland Pavilion (GHK).
    We would like to thank all clubs who have responded so far for their feedback and having reviewed, can see some common threads for areas where we can focus and in general some great ideas and suggestions. It is our intention to pick up on the common responses and discuss these on the evening. Following the initial review, we can clearly see areas where we can work on in preparation for 2025 and are looking to use this meeting to engage fully.
    All clubs are invited to attend with a maximum of 2 representatives for each club. Please ensure that on arrival you sign in on the attendance sheet.
  • Mearns CC – Seeking New Ground (3rd October 2024)

    Mearns Cricket Club is actively looking for a cricket ground around Glasgow to use as its home ground. We are happy to invest and revive an unused cricket ground near Glasgow (20 miles range) and also open to partner with any Rugby club (or other sports club) who do not use their ground in Summer season. If you know any such ground, please share details by sending an email to mearnscc@gmail.com or send a text to the club’s contacts.

  • Irvine CC Coach Position (1st October 2024)

    Irvine Cricket Club, currently playing in Division 1 of the WDCU Western Union Cricket Union are actively seeking a “club development officer/coach” with ECB Level 2 or equivalent accreditation as a minimum. The job, “coach” role will focus on the progression of current adult and junior playing members and job, “Development officer” will closely work with our Active Schools coordinators to increase junior participation for all boys and girls age groups from 5+.

    Further details can be found here:  Coach Advert

  • WDCU Statement 18th September 2024 (18th September 2024)
    WDCU are aware of a fake X account using WDCU as a handle which has falsely reported WDCU have acted following recent reports around Khizar Ali and historic tweets. This account has been reported to X and is not connected to WDCU.
    WDCU has no comment to make at this stage and respect the ongoing process with Cricket Scotland.
  • East Kilbride to Nepal- Cricket Without Boundaries Project (11th September 2024)
    Mohammad Osman, East Kilbride 1st XI Captain is going to Nepal in late November for a couple of weeks with the Cricket Without Boundaries charity and is looking to promote the charity and for help with his fundraising efforts,  The WDCU would encourage you to support Mohammad in his endeavours. The WDCU wish Mohammad well in his efforts.
    More details around the charity can be found on the link here:
    The link to his fundraising page is here:
  • As the Willow Vanishes (30th July 2024)

    Please follow link below for details of the When The Willow Vanishes.

    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0whqhZEDQG17kGaw9MwTsoaQJiWmN3qbozPxv8wtrytbae22Rv3iei7KLJUoAkMXEl&id=1021874509