Safe Hands course dates in 2022

These courses are for all Club Safeguarding Officers

Tuesday 22nd February – Banbury Cricket Club 18:30 to 21:30

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Tuesday 22nd March – Tiddington Cricket Club 18:30 to 21:30

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Saturday 2nd April – Oxford Downs Cricket Club 09:30 – 12:30

Book Here

We are delighted to invite outstanding candidates to apply for an exciting opportunity at
Oxfordshire Cricket.

Community Coach c.£18,000-£22,000 depending on experience 

Oxfordshire Cricket is a thriving organisation and we are proud of our achievements in delivering our Community programmes across the county. These programmes are aimed at growing the game beyond traditional audiences and providing a flow of talent to our clubs and pathway programmes. The continuing growth of our participation programme has created a demand for additional qualified coaches who are enthusiastic about continuing to develop and improve their coaching skills and are a level two coach .The Community Cricket Coach role is central to the successful delivery of our schools programme and national programmes. This includes but is not limited to Chance to Shine (CTS), All Stars Cricket (ASC), Dynamos Cricket (DC) and community projects and initiatives. Successful candidates will be responsible for delivering safe, engaging and inspiring cricket sessions to children and young people, as well as engaging and inspiring teachers and parents. Additionally, they will need to have strong communication, organisational and reporting skills and the drive to achieve set outcomes.

If you would like to discuss either of these roles further, then please contact Zoe Pugh at [email protected]. We would gratefully receive all Cover Letters and CV’s submitted to zpugh@oxoncb.com. Interview upon application. 

Follow the link below to find out more: 

Oxfordshire Cricket JD Community Description

Hinton 91-3 Rick Wills 25no; George Taylor 22no & 23-2 beat Hooky Renegades 90-5 Kieran Scott 38; Dave Victor 22; Ash Clark 2-23

Shipston 82-3 Jack Murphy 28no; Sam Dexter 1-9; Max Morris 1-28 beat Sandford A 81-6 Lewis Anson 21; Zac Wilton 20 & 2-42

Silverstone 105-1 Sam Patel 26no; Ryan Knight 25no & 1-31 beat Cropredy A 103-3 Sam Coggins 26no; James Barker 22

Charlbury 144-5 Rob Knight 43; Tom Eaton 43no; Tom Nash 28no; Matt Jenkinson 2-21 beat Marston St. Lawrence 112-3 Liam Lake 26no; Liam Upstone 1-40

Table with 2 weeks to go:

Oxfordshire Cricket Board Ltd (OCB) is the governing body of cricket in Oxfordshire with the mission;

‘To develop and protect the future of cricket by making it the sport of choice in Oxfordshire’.

Oxfordshire Cricket is a progressive and innovative organisation that balances the need to invest in participation and growth with a performance cricket programme that provides a pathway for players to maximise their potential within the game. 

This is a great opportunity to join the Board of Directors of the Oxfordshire Governing body and support the delivery of our exciting 2020-2024 strategic plan for cricket. Please click here to view our strategy for 2020-2024. 

We are looking for candidates that can demonstrate: 

• A willingness to lead and support some of our community outreach programmes. 
• Experience of working with or leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives
• A passion to help us widen the appeal of cricket and support our various initiatives to attract more people into the game, ensuring EDI based on gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.
• Experience of the Oxfordshire cricket network.

And / or

• Legal and compliance skills and experiences 
• An ability to lead the Board on EDI compliance and on all matters of constitution and key strategic policies. 
• Experience of the Oxfordshire cricket network.

Whilst this is a voluntary position it would be a great opportunity to advance your CV by committing time to safeguard the game of cricket and to provide an exciting opportunity to develop the sport in the community. 

Applications should be made in writing to the Board Secretary – Nick Pinhol ([email protected]). They should include a brief summary of professional qualifications and relevant skills and experiences with a proposal as to how and where you would add expertise to the delivery of the strategic 5-year plan (2020-24). For those that are interested in the role, please email [email protected] in order to view the 2020-2024 strategic plan. 

The closing date for applications is 31st December with interviews being conducted in January.

OCB are an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates with suitable skills and capabilities commensurate with the role.. With this in mind, OCB is firmly committed to ensuring that all job applicants and members of staff, including volunteers are treated equally, without discrimination because of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.

Dear Clubs and Members

You are aware of the current challenges that the game faces and it is important that everyone within the Oxfordshire community is aware of the announcement made by the ECB on November 26th 2021. As the governing body of the game within Oxfordshire, we have been incredibly busy over the last week in preparing our own response and we still have some way to go. New demands will be placed on County Cricket Boards, and we need to respond to those demands quickly and without compromise. In our desire to be the best non-first county both on and off the field, we are working hard to ensure that Oxfordshire aspires to excellence with regards to the subject of Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion. If cricket doesn’t fix this problem, the government will.

This challenge is currently consuming the same senior resources that would normally focus on AGM preparation. As a Board of Directors, we have taken the unusual step of moving our AGM from its customary December window. This will give us time to focus on recruitment and constitutional issues that will need to be addressed. The Board of Directors has therefore decided to move the AGM to Monday, February 7th. If possible this will be a physical meeting (covid permitting) to accommodate an important voting process.

In the meantime, as soon as the accounts are available, we will share with you the AGM pack, plus any associated reports. Oxfordshire cricket is in great shape, but now is the time for considered reflection before we embark on some key decisions that have to be made.

We are pleased to announce that in keeping with Bye-Law 6 the Board of Directors has co-opted Siri Siriwardene to the Board. Siri offers us access to both legal and compliance expertise, a gap in our skills which we had previously identified. You can find out more about Siri here – https://www.blmlaw.com/people/siri-siriwardene . Just as importantly Siri is a player and coach for Abingdon Vale CC and a parent in our pathway, so he is deeply connected with the game in Oxfordshire. We are extremely fortunate to have his services. Siri will join the Board with immediate effect and his first task will be to use his multicultural corporate experience to lead on our EDI compliance plan which is a contractual priority and needs to be in place by April 2022.

Siri Siriwardene, on his appointment, said: 

‘’Cricket is my passion so I am delighted to be able to contribute towards better compliance and regulation, especially now. Having met with Chris and others on the board it is clear that they want to take the lead in delivering something meaningful.’’

Please join us in welcoming Siri to his new role, we look forward to working closely with him. If you would like to contact him, you can by email to [email protected]

Chris Clements, Chairman of Oxfordshire Cricket said: 

‘’Siri volunteered his services last week, and after meeting with him today we very quickly concluded that would be an excellent addition to our Board. His access to legal and compliance skills and experience are a perfect fit for the gap we had previously identified, in addition, he has expertise in multicultural organisations. Cricket is experiencing a very difficult time at the moment and his appointment is one of many steps that we will be taking to generate confidence in the game and make sure it remains an attractive proposition to future generations.

The Oxfordshire EDI policy will impact the whole cricketing community in Oxfordshire.’’

We will take this opportunity to remind members and member clubs that we are holding a members forum on Monday 29th over Zoom.

Oxfordshire Cricket has been working with the ECB on cricket’s response to Racism and All Forms of Discrimination In Cricket. Earlier today the ECB released the Gamewide EDI commitments (click here to view). 

As a game, we acknowledge that cricket needs to work together, overcome the challenges that we are facing and create long-term change that will overhaul the culture of cricket for the Next Generation. We also know that we still have much to learn and that it is crucial that we spend time actively listening across the game and take all views on board. We are continuing to work with the ECB, and other stakeholders to implement the wide-ranging action plan to tackle racism and promote inclusion and diversity at all levels of the game.

The measures agreed today include a series of immediate changes as well as the instigation of a review period that will incorporate the work of the ICEC and other inquiries into discrimination in cricket.  The initial aims include: 

Understanding and educating more

1. Adoption within three months of a standardised approach to reporting, investigating, and responding to complaints, allegations, and whistleblowing across the game.
2. Full promotion of the aims of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) through proactive engagement with its investigations and recommendations.
3. Ongoing EDI training for all those who work in cricket, including all staff, volunteers, recreational club officials, umpires, directors, and coaches.

Addressing dressing room culture

1. A full review of dressing room culture in all men’s and women’s professional teams, both domestic and international.
2. Delivery of a redesigned programme of player and coach education, addressing any gaps identified through the dressing room review.

Removing barriers in talent pathways

1. Action to aid progress into professional teams of people from diverse backgrounds (especially South Asian, Black and less privileged youngsters) through measures to address i) talent identification and scouting, ii) education and diversity of coaches and iii) targeted support programmes for players from diverse or under-privileged backgrounds.

Creating welcoming environments for all

1. A full-scale review, in advance of the 2022 season, into the detection, enforcement, and sanctions against discriminatory and abusive crowd behaviour at each of our professional cricket grounds. 
2. Delivery of plans (tailored to local communities) to ensure professional cricket venues are welcoming to all, including provision of accessible seating, food and beverage offering catering to all faiths and cultures, and the availability of facilities such as multi-faith rooms and alcohol-free zones.
3. Upgraded education in recreational cricket to ensure players, volunteers and coaches understand and champion inclusion and diversity in the game.

Publishing localised EDI Action Plans within six months

The ECB will today publish its 2021-2023 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan with clear actions and targets. The ECB will then work with any of its members who do not yet have an EDI plan in place to create (or revise) their own localised version within six months, with actions to include: 

1. 1. A commitment to best practice governance with targets for Board diversity (30% female, locally representative ethnicity by April 2022) and plans to increase diversity across the wider organisation.
   2. The introduction of fairer recruitment processes through measures including the immediate adoption of anonymised recruitment tools for senior roles, open appointment processes for all roles and the use of balanced and diverse panels to assess interviews. 

• Every senior executive employed across the game will have personal EDI objectives as part of their annual performance targets, driving leadership accountability.

To be transparent and build trust, the game will provide regular updates on progress against delivery of the action plan and EDI goals.

To underpin the actions being taken across the cricket network, the ECB has committed to providing additional resources and take several further steps in support of consistent progress across the game. These have been agreed with the game and will include:

• A review of governance and regulation in cricket to identify any opportunities to strengthen the structures and processes across the game
• £25 million of strategic funding over five years in support of EDI actions
• The formation of a new anti-discrimination unit, within six months, to ensure that the ECB has the right resources and capabilities to help tackle discrimination in all its forms and provide guidance to the wider game
• The inclusion, with immediate effect, of EDI minimum standards for all venues
• A link between funding and EDI minimum standards, including withholding central distributions where necessary to ensure all stakeholders meet agreed standards
• Collaboration with Sport England to help the whole game to achieve the increased diversity of Boards

Oxfordshire Cricket’s response will follow in due course.

As part of its growth plans, Oxfordshire Cricket would like to provide the following update, given the number of recent appointments to the workforce. These appointments support our desire to strengthen our governance, run a coach development centre, expand our offering into state schools, grow the pathway programme and create greater focus on players of high potential and adult teams.

As of the 1st of October, Lesley Pykett and Stuart Murphy have been employed as the County Safeguarding Officers. Both have been loyal volunteers for the last four years. This supports our desire to place Safeguarding at the top of our agenda. Their remit will cover all cricket within Oxfordshire with the goal of ensuring that the game is safe for young and vulnerable people. The role is a job share and both will attend Board meetings, they will report to Margaret Stevens whose Directorship expands to cover Safeguarding.

Sam Arthurs joined us in the role of Foundation Pathway Manager. In the role, Sam will work closely with the Performance Director to deliver a sustainable and high-performing talent development system and play a leading role in the day-to-day management and delivery of our Foundation Pathway for girls and boys between the ages of 8 and 13. To support the development journey of players across the foundation age groups, Sam will lead and grow our breadth of supplementary programmes, including the Oxfordshire Bulls, Player Development Workshops and transition programmes and forge an integrated link with the Participation and Growth team, local schools and clubs.

Marcus Campopiano joined us as our new Talent Pathway Manager. In the role, Marcus will be responsible for leading the day-to-day management and delivery of our Talent Pathway for girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 18 and will work closely with Foundation Pathway Manager, Sam Arthurs, Performance Director and Performance Cricket Coordinator. Whilst Influential in the development journey of individuals and teams across the Talent pathway age groups, Marcus will also play an integral role across the wider talent development system, leading and optimising the physical performance of all players, including those in the pathway and other programmes.

After four very successful years, Matthew Barnes has earned the title of Performance Director. His role has expanded his remit to include County Men’s Cricket (NCCA – National Counties Cricket Association) and Women’s cricket working with the experienced Fiona Currie, Rupert Evans and Paul White in strengthening the links into our own pathway and by owning the Sussex partnership. Matt continues to own performance cricket, including the philosophy and policies behind our pathway programme and budget for the largest segment of our business.

Matthew and Nick Pinhol, recently promoted to the role of Participation Manager, will take an increasing day to day responsibility for the total operation of the organisation. This will include creating further links between the Participation and Performance functions.

Very shortly we will be announcing the recruitment of a community coach. We also have two more planned recruitments to complete, a second community coach and hopefully a new marketing role during 2022 through the kick start scheme.

Chairman, Chris Clements said:

‘All of these appointments are geared towards creating a wider platform for growth and securing the future. We already have an experienced and established workforce with Alex, Zoe, Ed and Paul, these additions will enhance that position. This has the potential to be a very exciting period for Oxfordshire Cricket.’

Charlbury 102-0 Tom Bash 25no; Rob Knight 22no; M Jenkinson 1-40 beat Sandford 2 101 all out Max Harris 28; Rob Knight 24.

Shipston 145-4  Marcus Ireland 31no & 1-31; Jack Murphy 25no beat Silverstone 121-6 Sam Patel 25no; Sach Patel 25no; Henry Smith 25no and Graham Cessford 24.

Hooky Renegades T Moore 23; Keiron Scott 27; Lolly Grimes 28no; Ash Clark 26 beat Marston St Lawrence 116-6 Matt Riddle 38; Tom Brookes 17; Ryan O’Sullivan 17.

Hinton batting 72-2 Sean Gardiner 25no & 2-22; Josh Withers 15no beat Cropredy A 69-6 Sam Coggins 17; Joe Coggins 1-31.