Please see below two acknowledgements of Prestwick CC members fundraising effort for the Brain Tumour Charity. The walk from Prestwick to Lords raised over £4,500. Well done to all concerned.

Milngavie CC are on the look out for a Level 2/3 qualified coach to help prepare their team for this season.  If you are interested please contact Matthew Edmonds on his email: massieedmonds@googlemail.com

A paid player/coach position is available at Irvine CC.  Please see details in the document below.

Coach advert, Irvine CC

“I am writing to update you on our positive steps towards a return to cricket in the coming months.

“As we have throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Cricket Scotland is in regular contact with sportscotland to ensure that cricket is well represented in any plans for a return to sport.

“The Scottish Government is currently focused on the return of schools, but if this goes well then it is likely that the country will revert to a tier system (0 to 4) in March, allowing for some sport to be played under the same kind of restrictions as last season.

“Cricket Scotland is committed to facilitating the return of the sport as soon as is safely possible and we will continue to work with sportscotland and the Scottish Government to review restrictions on specific areas which might inhibit a return to play, for example, the sharing of transport.

“While there is still some uncertainty around the timing, we are actively planning to help the game get up and running again as quickly as possible. We are hopeful that, as case numbers drop and the vaccines are rolled out, it will be possible for us all to enjoy a better domestic cricket season this year.

“With that in mind we will be advertising several new short term (6-month) roles within Cricket Scotland tomorrow (Friday), including three regional Development Officers, with the aim of supporting clubs once play is possible again and maximising the number of people who have the opportunity take part in cricket in Scotland this summer.

“I will keep you updated on any further developments once we have received more information from sportscotland.

Gus Mackay
CEO

Please see below information forwarded by Cricket Scotland regarding funding that may be available to clubs struggling with COVID-19 restrictions.

“Dear Regional Association Secretaries

“I read today that additional funds are being offered by councils for businesses struggling from COVID – not sure if any clubs in your region will qualify for it.

“The following link provides more information, Discretionary business support fund.”

Iain Kennedy
WDCU Administrator

Please see the most recent communication from WDCU sent to clubs earlier this week.

Following recent communications regarding planning for this season I would like to update you on a few things.  I am still waiting on a small number of responses to my request for clubs initial estimates for team participation for this season. A number of the outstanding clubs have informed me that it will be with me shortly which is good. To those yet to contact me at all (six clubs) could you please provide a reply even if it is that you are really unsure at this time.

It would also be helpful if clubs could inform me if there are likely to be any dates where your ground will be unavailable during the season and including the first two weeks in September as this may be a period where games are scheduled. If you could let me know on both counts by Friday the 6th February that would be great.

Also if you would like a sponsors name attached to your teams for this year please let me know if you haven’t already done so. These can be added in up until the middle of March.

Could I also inform you that both the WDCU Executive and CMC are meeting regularly to undertake the complex planning for the forthcoming season. WDCU is also represented at planning meetings being hosted by Cricket Scotland dealing with similar issues from a national perspective. As all these discussions are at an early stage and there are significant uncertainties regarding Covid 19 restrictions no fixtures lists will be published in the immediate future.

I will provide clubs with an update in mid February following the next round of meetings and at the end of each month. Should any significant information become available I will share that as I get it.

Iain Kennedy
WDCU Administrator

Please see information below from Nic Wilson regarding an ongoing racism in sport project.  Please feel free to participate if you are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic community.

“Dear cricket-in-Scotland network,

“We are asking for your help by sharing this email with your network of members, coaches and match officials. AKD Solutions are carrying out this work for sportscotland and there are more details in this news article.

“Background to project:

“sportscotland have recently commissioned a piece of work along with UK Sport and the other home country sports councils on race and racism in sport.  We are looking for your help to promote this.

“The research asks people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to share their knowledge and understanding of accessing, being involved in, or being excluded from sport.  The research will run from now until 15^th February 2021.

“There are a few ways people can take part:

• Upload their story to the website
• Register to take part in online forums (discussion groups).

“Website for sharing stories and signing up for online forums – Forums link on website

“Direct link to register for Scotland forum (link) on Friday 29^th January 7.30pm to 9pm

“We want to get as much engagement across Scotland as possible so could you please share across your organisation, networks and groups you work with.

“Your support with this is much appreciated.”

Please see below, a link to information on a player/coach opportunity at Ayr CC for season 2021.

Coach advert, Ayr CC

Please see below a recent correspondence from Cricket Scotland

“To all Club Secretaries,

“After a challenging year, we are hopeful that the 2021 season will run as a normal season, however, we are mindful that due to the COVID pandemic, we may have to adapt and modify some timings and events.

“In the coming months, we will be continue to engage with all the regional associations as we receive updates from the Scottish Government and sportscotland regarding the hopeful reduction in restrictions on travel and community sport.

“We will continue to update you directly with any changes to guidance and for general club admin requirements as detailed below.

“We are really hopeful that we can re-start cricket in early spring and looking forward to a full domestic, regional and international season.

“Please direct any queries on the above to Paul Macari, or to Head of Development, Nicola Wilson.”

Iain Kennedy
WDCU Administrator

Please see most recent COVID-19 activity update from Cricket Scotland.

“Following the Scottish Government announcement on 4 January, guidance for cricket activity had been updated and can be found here.

“In summary, as mainland Scotland is now in enhanced Level 4 restrictions, the key changes to cricket activity are as follows:

1. No indoor cricket activity permitted.

2. Outdoor cricket activity is permitted for under 12s as follows:

• For groups up to a maximum of eighteen – This number includes a maximum of up to two coaches (including any youth helpers 12 and over).
• Coaches should wear a face covering and abide by standard physical distancing rules

3. Travel restriction within local protection levels:

• Travel is restricted (as previously) but with ‘stay at home’ the key message.
• There are however exemptions for sport, exercise and recreation and participants can still travel up to 5 miles from the boundary of a LA to take part in informal exercise as long they abide by the rules on meeting other households e.g. two adults from maximum of two households.

4.  No competition is permitted.

5. Coaching:

• Adult one to one coaching is permitted.
• Adjacent nets should not be used.
• Coaches should wear a face covering.
• Group coaching for under 12s is permitted (as in point 2 above).

6. Maximum group size of eighteen

7. Two coaches permitted (this includes any youth helpers over 12)

“Please send any queries, by email, to general@cricketscotland.com.”