The last few years have brought about tremendous change in recreational cricket. Driven by Sport England, the England Cricket Board has had to dramatically alter its organisation & administration in order attract government funding. These changes have been mirrored throughout the game and have impacted upon County Cricket Boards, local leagues and clubs like ours.

  A seemingly never ending stream of administrative requirements has filtered down from the ECB via County Boards and Cricket Development Officers (now known as Cricket Development Managers) in an attempt to modernize the game right down to its grass roots. Lytham CC embraced these initiatives without hesitation. Many reflected the work already being done at the club and were contained within our rolling five year development plan. The challenge was to formalize these procedures and document them in a format which met modern legal requirements. Firstly, we were accredited as an LCB Focus Club. We had to meet certain standards and be reaccredited on an annual basis. The next and largest task to date was the opportunity to become a Sport England and ECB Clubmark accredited club. This was a huge undertaking and incorporated a raft of policies such as Equity in coaching, Codes of Conduct, First Aid, Terms of Reference, Good Practice, Duties and Responsibilities etc topped off by a Child Protection Policy approved by the NSPCC and ECB.

Lytham CC were only the second club in Lancashire to achieve this accreditation thereby confirming our status as leading club in the UK. We were officially Safe, Effective and Child Friendly. Updates to Clubmark continue. Last year the Child Protection policy was overhauled by the NSPCC in a document entitled Safe Hands. Again Lytham embraced the change, attended the required course and were awarded with an updated certificate. 

  Other developments followed and Borough Cricket Development Groups became established across the land. Local clubs and schools were invited to attend meetings in order to share experiences and good practice. Here in Fylde, Lytham lead the way. A primary school "Kwik" cricket competition was established with the winning school going forward to Old Trafford to represent the Borough. This competition continues today and Lytham CC host the festival each summer. Expanding on this theme, schools/club coaching links were established with no less than sixteen primary and secondary schools. Coaches from Lytham CC delivered coaching at all these schools. There was a break in this initiative last year owing to lack of funding, but hopes are high for a reintroduction this summer term.

  A further innovation within Cricket Development Groups was the introduction of District teams in 2005. A working party from across Lancashire, with representation from Lytham CC, devised a process whereby talented children could benefit from an open and transparent pathway to Lancashire youth squads at all age groups. Selection for District teams is now via club nominations. Trials are held by District team managers and representitive squads are chosen to play other Districts at under 11, 13 and 15. The most talented children in these teams are then offered trials at Lancashire. Eventually, it is envisaged that District teams from Lancashire will play District teams from Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cumbria etc as these areas establish similar competitions. Lytham CC provide the vast majority of officers on the Fylde Development Group committee currently holding the posts of Chairman, Treasurer, Coach Liason Officer and District team managers at all three ages.

  We have also received awards from Lancashire Sport. These awards cover all sports not just cricket, yet in 2003 Lytham CC were awarded both Local Community Club of the Year and Coach of the Year. In 2005 awards were received for Coach of the Year (again) Volunteer of the Year and Rising Star of the year. In recognition of our work in the community, in 2004, the ECB named Lytham as a Community Development Club. This entitled us to apply for an ECB funded state of the art update to our practice nets. Our application was successful and we became one of the first sixty clubs in the country to qualify for this investment. It has proved wonderfully popular with our junior section and even in the depth of winter, my heart has been warmed by the sight of children practising cricket in weather which made me sport a sheepskin coat, woolly hat and gloves.

  Another recent ECB initiative is Cricket Force. This has been described as the largest volunteering event in the UK. and a cross between Changing Rooms and Ground Force. Lytham signed up and in 2005 we cleared lots of old rubbish from the ground, painted the sightscreens,  repaired the covers and most importantly, renovated our classical timber framed score box. This building is a special feature on our ground and deserved some TLC.

  This year our Cricket Force project was to remove the old spectator stand which had become dilapidated. We are currently looking at ways of raising funds to have it replaced. Over the last two years, we have upgraded most of our ground equipment. The afore mentioned practice nets were complimented by the acquisition of two new sightscreens, a new set of mobile pitch covers, a replacement mobile net and our first bowling machine. All these purchases have been grant aided.

  Our junior section is our pride and joy. Our membership boasts the largest number of boys and girls in the region and they are supported by twenty ECB qualified coaches all of whom give their time freely. I cannot praise them highly enough. Many of our qualified coaches are under 21 years of age proving that there are good people at Lytham CC from all generations. The junior committee works tirelessly to improve standards, coaching qualifications and raise much needed funds. One initiative this year was to introduce a "Girls Only" coaching session at indoor nets. All advertisers in this year book are contributing to the success of our junior section and we are truly grateful. Coaching courses for coaches, now cost £175, £275 and £400 per coach depending on the course and the coach has to give up four weekends at least, in order to complete it. Further time is then required to be spent on practical coaching sessions, Child Protection, CRB clearance and First Aid before a certificate can be awarded. All this before someone is allowed to coach junior cricketers as a volunteer !

   A well established annual event is the Junior Easter Cricket Festival. Clubs from all over Lancashire and Merseyside meet at Lytham for a two day festival for players at under 11 and under 13. Entries to this event also reflect the changes discussed above. Now most teams are District teams rather than club sides. The event is so popular event that we have a waiting list. It provides for a most enjoyable experience and sets off the junior season with a bang.

  Junior registration has turned into quite an administrative event. Years ago, children just turned up and were shown the ropes by willing volunteers. Not any more. Coaching and indeed all work with children is now a highly regulated affair which requires medical information, personal details and parental consent for several different matters and the issuing of registration packs.

  We may be an amateur club run by volunteers, however the volunteers are anything but amateur. We are now an amateur club which is run as professionally as possible. What’s more, we have the qualifications and accreditations to prove it. I have purposely avoided mentioning names. There are just so many people who are deserving of thanks, praise and commendation that I would not know where to end. I just wish to say a heartfelt thanks to everybody and anybody who has contributed to the running and success of Lytham CC in whatever way, large or small. Your contribution is much appreciated.

Peter Harris

(Chairman)