Please see a statement sent to clubs today:

Good afternoon,

Please see below the most recent statement from WDCU regarding a safe return to local cricket.  Could you please ensure that your committee members are made aware of it. Also please ensure that all officials and members who are working on your potential fixtures for later in the season are made aware of this too.

Due to some direct queries received and some public conjecture, the WDCU would like to clarify some of the reasons why it has decided not to organise any competitions for season 2020 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and, instead, encourage clubs who want to organise fixtures, to do so on the basis of local friendlies once arrangements for matches have been confirmed.

The unprecedented situation has given rise to a number of difficulties in organising and playing cricket and the WDCU has been in regular contact with Cricket Scotland and other regional associations since March. We have made decisions based on these discussions, and the subsequent communications from Cricket Scotland  who have also been liaising with both sportscotland and the Scottish Government. Their advice has been paramount in arriving at our decisions.

The decision not to organise any competitive fixtures this year for WDCU clubs is fully supported by Cricket Scotland and is broadly in line with decisions of all other regional associations. The proposed start date of 1st August is still  to be confirmed by Cricket Scotland and they have also yet to confirm the protocols for match play, as well as any additional regulations which might apply.

The WDCU wants their clubs and players to play as much cricket as they can, as safely as possible. However, there is a large variance in the ability of our member clubs to participate safely and within the protocols referred to above. These may involve significant logistical arrangements, time and cost for our clubs. There are likely to be a number of clubs and players who will not be able or willing, for many reasons, to adhere to all of these requirements and safely take part in matches. In addition, some clubs may have  ground availability issues in both August and September.  The WDCU did not want to put any undue pressure on any club or player to play by organising competitions. This position has been broadly adopted by the other regional associations and supported by Cricket Scotland.

The WDCU covers a geographically diverse area. We do not want to impose undue travel on clubs/players in order to compete in a mandated competition. Due to current social distancing protocols, this would, almost certainly, require significantly more vehicles and trips than normal. The WDCU also feels a responsibility to the wider public to reduce, as much as possible, any risk of potential spread of the virus through undue travel to take part in our competitions.

Given all of the above, and the understandable desire from clubs for decisions to be made as early as possible to allow plans to be made, it was agreed by Cricket Scotland and all regional associations that  the best approach would be for matches to be arranged by clubs themselves as friendlies and on a local basis. It would allow those clubs and players who are keen to play to do so, within the regulations, and to arrange formats and teams that suit, while also allowing those that would rather not play, to avoid it. As we gain clarity on the match play regulations and start date, the WDCU will be happy to facilitate clubs to play as much cricket as possible, including but not limited to; assisting clubs requiring fixtures to access other club contacts and assisting those with ground and facility issues to find suitable alternatives. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLUBS TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT TO OTHERS MORE ADVERSELY AFFECTED THAN THEMSELVES.

We have followed the lead of our governing body and have the safety of all our clubs, players, officials and the wider public as the absolute priority. The impact of the lack of cricket activity and match play on our clubs is acutely understood as all members of our committees have involvement at their own clubs and the hardship and distress felt by many is also felt by us.  Since lockdown restrictions have been imposed the WDCU has attempted to proactively assist clubs in what are unprecedented times, including by reimbursing annual subscriptions, making hardship support payments to all clubs, offering loan repayment deferrals, agreeing to cancel ball orders and refunding ball order payments, and raising awareness of other funding support that became available and that many clubs have successfully been in receipt of.

Decisions like this are not easy to make, nor are they ever universally popular.

As always, the decisions made are, in the judgement of those involved in WDCU, in the best interests of all.

Guidance on ‘Local’ cricket:

The WDCU would propose the following as guidance as to what it considers local to mean.

• Area Groups (such as exist for WDJCU purposes) or the McCulloch Cup ‘areas’ would be a starting point. However, there would be pragmatic leeway around these as some clubs may be closer to clubs in an adjoining area than some in their own area.
• Travelling time as well as distance should be considered, as well as the needs of the more geographically distant clubs.
• Clubs would not be restricted to playing within the WDCU area if it is easier for them not to – Stirling or Stenhousemuir may find it easier to play clubs in the west of the ESCA region, whilst the Dumfries and Galloway clubs could also do so in Cumbria.
• As an indication of hypothetical examples, Kilmarnock travelling to East Kilbride, or Poloc to Uddingston would both reasonably be considered ‘local’ even though these are in different ‘area groups’. Ayr to Stirling, or Greenock to Dumfries would not be considered as local.

Please see below an email sent to all clubs today regarding cricket match activity.  As there has been some correspondence/information received regarding cricket match activity please see the most up-to-date guidance from the WDCU:

The target date for resumption of games remains 1st August 2020.  This has not been confirmed yet by Cricket Scotland and remains open to change.

When the resumption of cricket matches is permitted, the WDCU does not propose to deliver any competitions, however are happy to facilitate matches by providing an up to date contacts lists for clubs to arrange games themselves.  The WDCU believe that locally, possibly hub-based, T20 matches are the best option due to continuing travel constraints and the lack of changing and catering facilities.

Should they require them, clubs will be responsible for arranging umpires and paying match fees and travel expenses.  The WDCU suggest that local umpires should be used where possible.

As any matches will not be run under formal WDCU auspices and therefore there are no PlayerReg requirements.

Clubs should be aware that it is their responsibility to conduct a risk assessment and to ensure that all relevant COVID-19 guidelines are adhered to should they organise any matches.”

Covid-19 return to cricket

Information sent from Cricket Scotland to all clubs on 1 July 2020.

“We have received further guidance today from sportscotland in regards to guidance for clubs to return to cricket.  Please note there is one major change to the key requirements and it is good news as we have been advised that toilet facilities can now open.  Scottish Government guidance on opening public toilets can be found here.  Additionally, outdoor hospitality, including catering and bar services, can reopen from 6 July 2020 providing they adhere to Scottish Government guidance.  Our guidelines have been updated to reflect this and can be found on the COVID-19 page here and the updated sportscotland document ‘Outdoor Sports Guidance’ can be found here.

“As before, please direct any questions or suggestions to: general@cricketscotland.com.”

Please see a further notice from Cricket Scotland.  Please note the information regarding the non use of toilets.

“Further to the email this morning, sportscotland have approved our guidance for clubs to return to cricket.  Please note there is one major change to the key requirements as we have been advised that toilet facilities must remain closed.  This was referred to in points 5 and 6 in the Key Requirements (which are now 9 Key Requirements!)  I suspect there will be further messages coming from sportscotland on the subject and we await further announcements from the Scottish Government.  The guidelines can be found on the Cricket Scotland website COVID-19 page HERE.  (Link also below.)

“We are keen to share FAQs and any innovative ideas that clubs have come up with on how to modify training therefore please get in touch with us at general@cricketscotland.com

“Cricket Scotland acknowledges the pressure that clubs will be under from members to get back to cricket activity – thank you for your patience and understanding during this incredibly challenging time.  Hopefully this is the start of a rapid return to cricket activity in Scotland.”

Covid-19 Return to cricket

Here is a note from Cricket Scotland providing their most up to date guidance for the return of cricket activity in Scotland.

“Following the announcement on 18th June by the Scottish Government that we are moving in stages to Phase 2 of the route map, cricket clubs will be able to use outdoor cricket facilities (nets and pitches) for the purpose of undertaking exercise and training from 29th June.  We have submitted our final guidance document to sportscotland and expect this to be approved in the next 24 hours.  We appreciate that some clubs will be keen to return to activity on the 29th and therefore to ensure appropriate time for preparation and planning, we have launched a new website page with guidance and resources for clubs HERE. (Link also below.)  Please also find attached a .pdf of the ’10 key requirements’ for a safe return to cricket based on Scottish Government guidance.  As you know this is a fluid situation and guidance is constantly being modified, therefore we will endeavour to update you in a timely manner.”

COVID-19 Return to cricket

Return to cricket guidance – 10 key requirements

Please see below a communication sent to all clubs earlier today.

“This is just a reminder that as per the guidance from Cricket Scotland guidance there should be no cricket activity until at least the 1st of July.  I do so as there have been some reports of recreational cricket activity happening in some public parks.  As a reminder Cricket Scotland has submitted plans to the Scottish Government for approval for the return to training at elite and club level in anticipation that cricket will form part of the Scottish Government’s Phase 2 plan to allow players and coaches to return to training. It is hoped that those plans will be approved shortly before Phase 2 commences.

“Any approval and potential return to cricket activity announced by the Scottish Government around the 18th of June (Phase 2) would only take effect from the 1st of July so at present there is no cricket activity permitted.

“I will keep you updated with all progress with this matter.

“Look out for new posts as the information unfolds!”

Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator

Please find below a link to an article on the Cricket Scotland website regarding the voluntary work of Ferguslie CC Youth Convenor Sam Scott. (Real name Alistair John Scott!).  It is deserved recognition for a man affectionally known as “Saggy” for a long period of sterling service to the game of cricket not only at Ferguslie but with the Scottish national age group teams. Have a read.

Sam Scott

Please see below a note dent to clubs on 5-06 from the WDCU Administrator.

Just a short update from me.  Firstly thanks to all the clubs that have sent in a list of players to be deactivated from PlayerReg.  By so doing I have been asked to de-register over 350 players leaving us with just over 2,500 registered players. I am sure there are more to be done so please if you haven’t done so send me in your list when you can.

On a similar vein a number of you have gone through the list I sent you of poor quality photographs on PlayerReg and have now submitted much improved ones.  There are still a good number needing updated so if you could give that a nudge that would be great.

We are all looking forward to potentially having some cricket activity and work is ongoing between Cricket Scotland and sportscotland on guidance as to what this may look like starting July the 1st.  Once the guidance has been agreed it will be distributed to regions and clubs and plans can be made.  Hopefully this should happen fairly soon.

Finally if you haven’t done so please keep on the look out for COVID-19 support funding. I know a lot of you have done this and I am aware that a healthy number of grants have been made to clubs in the west.

I will be back in touch as soon as I can.

Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator

Please see below the link to the most recent COVID-19 update from Cricket Scotland.  Please continue to stay safe and well.

Cricket Scotland update on cricket activity, 28 May 2020