CLUB SUPPORT

COACH
DEVELOPMENT

Officiating

GROUNDS
ASSOCIATION

RECREATIONAL
FUNDING

CLUBMARK

Chance to shine

junior cricket

Women's & girls cricket

recreational cricket

ability cricket

WALKING cricket

Introduction

Coaching Courses

Safeguarding Coaches & Activators

ECB Coaches Association

Coach Development Bursaries

Getting into cricket as a junior can be an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and skill  development. Firstly, joining a local cricket club or school team is key, as it provides access to coaching and facilities. Attending coaching sessions helps juniors learn the fundamentals of the game, including batting, bowling, and fielding techniques. Additionally, watching professional matches both on television and in person can provide inspiration and insight into strategy and gameplay. Practising regularly, whether it's in organised sessions or informal games with friends, is crucial for honing skills and building confidence. Moreover, participating in junior cricket leagues and tournaments offers valuable competitive experience and the chance to showcase talent. Finally, maintaining a positive attitude, staying dedicated to improvement, and enjoying the game are essential aspects of a junior cricketer's journey towards success. With commitment and passion, juniors can thrive in the exciting world of cricket.

COACH DEVELOPMENT

Whether you want to give something back into the game you love, continue progressing your career, help out at your local club or simply provide more support to your child, there is a reason for everyone to get involved in coaching.

The Coach Development section of the website provides up-to-date information about Coaching and Coach Education courses taking place within Essex.

COACHING COURSES

Coaching courses empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities by nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship. Whether for personal growth or professional advancement, the decision to undertake cricket coaching courses signifies a commitment to excellence and a love for the game. 

If you are considering joining the coaching family, please browse the programmes below to find out which course is most suitable for you.

Coach Development Programme

Essex Cricket in the Community offers ECB Support Coach, Foundation Coach and Core Coach courses.

We strongly recommend completing an ECB Foundation Coach Course before taking your ECB Core Coach Course, unless you’re already an experienced cricketer.

Before booking, please review the course descriptions and make sure the course is right for you. You can also view our 'Which Course is right for you?' document for more information.

Please contact [email protected] should you have any difficulty booking your course.

Please note, the following Terms and Conditions around cancellations apply for all ECB Coach Development courses delivered by Essex Cricket in the Community.

ECB Support Coach Courses

ECB Support Coach is a coach development programme consisting of e-learning and face-to-face modules that will help you take your first steps into supporting coaching and enhancing player experience. You must be at least 16 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

Venue

Cost

Booking

21 March 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

12:30-15:30

Northern Gateway Sports Park, Colchester

£40

Booking

15 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

18:00-21:00

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£40

Booking

22 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

18:00-21:00

Leyton Cricket Club, Leyton

£40

Booking

29 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course
(Female Only)

18:00-21:00

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£40

Booking

DATES

DESCRIPTION

TIME

VENUE

BOOKING DETAILS

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Support  Coach Course

12:30 – 15:30

Northern Gateway  Sports Park, Colchester

Expired

Sunday 17 & 24  March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

9:30 – 16:30

Leyton Urban Hub, Leyton

Expired

Saturday 06 & 13  April 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

Expired

Sunday 07 & 14  April 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

9:30 – 16:30

Graham Gooch Cricket  Centre, Chelmsford

Expired

Monday 13 & 20 May
Wednesday 15 & 22 May

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

18:00pm – 21:00

Graham Gooch Cricket  Centre, Chelmsford

Expired

ECB Foundation Coach Courses

The ECB Foundation Coach programme is an entry-level qualification for coaching cricket in England and Wales alongside ECB Core Coach. The programme is a blend of e-learning and face-to-face modules led by ECB Coach Developers will explore what coaching looks like, the impact you can have as an ECB Foundation Coach, the skills you can help players to develop and how you can learn from your experiences. You must be at least 18 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

Venue

Cost

Booking

6 & 13 December 2025

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£150

Fully Booked

7 & 14 December 2025

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

09:30-16:30

Leyton Cricket Club, Leyton

£150

Fully Booked

7 & 14 March 2026

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£150

Booking

12 & 19 April 2026

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

09:30-16:30

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£150

Booking

ECB Core Coach Courses

The ECB Core Coach programme is an entry-level qualification for coaching cricket in England and Wales alongside ECB Foundation Coach. The programme is a blend of e-learning and face-to-face modules led by ECB Coach Developers will explore the player-centred planning process, player development, the skills you can help players to develop and how you can learn from your experiences. You must be at least 18 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Please Note: We strongly recommend that if you are looking at booking a place on the ECB Core Coach Course, you have either completed your ECB Foundation Coach Course or are an experienced cricketer.

Dates

description

time

venue

cost

booking

10, 17, 31 January

& 7 February 2026

ECB Core Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£300

Fully Booked

11, 18 January

1 & 8 February 2026

ECB Core Coach Course

09:30-16:30

Leyton Cricket Club, Leyton

£300

Fully Booked

21, 28 March

11 & 18 April 2026

ECB Core Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£300

Fully Booked

ECB CA Learning Workshops

Setting the Pace with Andy Pick
Andy is a ECB Level 4 Coach with huge experience coaching pace bowling. His current role is Chief Scout and Pathway Bowling Coach for Nottinghamshire CCC. Andy also had a 15 year professional playing career with the same county.

Spin it Up with Chris Brown
Chris is the High Performance Spin Bowling Coach for Cricket Ireland. An ECB Coach Developer and Level 4 coach. Previous roles include Spin Scout for England Men and England Lions. He has also been to several ICC global events with Scotland as their spin bowling coach.

Dates

Description

Time

Venue

Deliverer

Booking

25 January 2026

Setting the Pace

10:00 – 15:00

Leyton Community Hub, Leyton

Andy Pick

Booking

14 March 2026

Spin it Up

12:00-17:00

Northern Gateway Sports Park

Chris Brown

Booking

Safeguarding Coaches  & Activators

All qualified coaches are required to have up-to-date Safeguarding training. This can be done by completing an online Safeguarding Level 2 course free of charge.

There are 2 parts to the course: a workshop followed by a brief assessment to check for understanding. It should take you up to an hour to complete. The Safeguarding Level 2 course is valid for 3 years upon completion.

Coaches who qualified pre-2013 can update their safeguarding training by completing the online Safeguarding Level 2. On registering for the online course, coaches will be sent login details for the e-learning portal to allow them to complete the course.

Coaches that have completed an ECB Certificate in Coaching Children’s Cricket or an ECB Certificate in Coaching Young People & Adults (post-2013) and Coach Support Workers can update their Safeguarding Level 2 using their e-learning portal. This will appear on the portal approximately 48 hours after registering for the course.

New coaches that have enrolled on one of our Coach Education courses, will be sent a login to complete the Safeguarding Level 2, which will need to be done prior to starting your course.

Please note that Overseas Coaches and Club Safeguarding Officers can now complete the online Safeguarding Level 2 and Safeguarding for Committee Members & Officials (CSOs) respectively.

If you require a link to complete the Safeguarding Level 2 course please email [email protected] with the following information do that this can be sent out:
Full Name
Club
Your position at Club Safeguarding Level 2 required for
Email Address

ECB Coaches Association

The purpose of ECB Coaches Association (ECBCA) is to inspire participation and maximise the performance of cricket coaches and players.
Members come from all levels of the game, right from the England team downwards, and have somewhere to turn to get the ongoing support all coaches need in order to be the best they can be.

Nationally, the ECBCA offers a range of products and services that help you to support players.

Your membership will provide access to the latest thinking and developments through our resources, invitations to workshops, networking with like-minded coaches as well as being able to wear the ECBCA three lions.

All members must abide by the ECB Coaches Code of Conduct.

If you need to update or amend your membership details, please contact either [email protected] or [email protected].

BECOME A MEMBER

ECB Coaches Association Benefits

Benefits available for all members

National and local networking: The coach collective, learning workshops and local events

Communications: Regular news and updated to your inbox including The icoachcricket Podcast

Benefits exclusive to enhanced members

Exclusive videos: Wings to Fly on icoach cricket

Exclusive articles: Hitting the Seam and Coaches Matter on icoachcricket

Access to coachingkit.co.uk: Shop for exclusive ECB CA clothing and wear the three lions

Insurance: Kerry London provide specialist insurance cover for qualified coaches

Basic
MEMBERSHIP

2026 – Free

Open to anyone interested in cricket coaching

BECOME A MEMBER

Enhanced
Membership

2026 – £30

You must hold a coaching award*
You must have a valid ECB DBS
You must be 16-years-old or over

*Minimum requirement is ECB Support Coach/Coach Support Worker/ECB Coaching Assistant Award 

Apply here

Coach Development Bursaries

Introduction

Bursaries funded by the generous support of the England and Wales Cricket Trust are intended to increase the diversity of learners taking their first step into coaching, gaining a qualification or taking the next step on their coach development journey.

A bursary can be awarded to learners who register on ECB Support Coach, ECB Foundation Coach or ECB Core Coach programmes between 1st February 2025 and 31st January 2026.

APPLY HERE

Who can apply for a bursary?

Groups that have been identified to increase the diversity of learners accessing coach development programmes are:

Female Coaches

Coaches from ethnically diverse communities

Coaches with a disability

Coaches experiencing financial hardship

Apply for a Coach Development Bursary

Please use the link below to apply for a bursary. Please note, if you are experiencing financial hardship and applying for a bursary you will need a discount code to complete your ECB Support Coach/ECB Foundation Coach/ECB Core Coach registration.

APPLY HERE

How is the bursary claimed?

Anyone wanting to access coach development who is experiencing financial hardship will be awarded a bursary of up to 100% of the national price of the programme.

Once an applicant receives confirmation they will need to complete their programme registration using a discount code to redeem their bursary.

Anyone wanting to access coach development that is female, from an ethnically diverse community, has a disability and is not experiencing financial hardship will be awarded a bursary of up to 50% of the national price of the programme.

Once an applicant receives confirmation they will need to complete their programme registration and make full payment and upon attendance at face-to-face modules receive a refund to redeem their bursary.

APPLY HERE

Contact

If you have an enquiry relating to getting into cricket, please get in touch.

Call our team

01245252420

Send an email

[email protected]

UMpiring and Scoring

The roles of the officials are among the most important in cricket, where umpiring requires a keen eye for detail and a reputation for fairness, and socring required.

New umpires and scorers are always required at the recreational level. In Essex, we run courses for umpires and scorers to help people understand more about the roles, in addition, the ECB Association of Cricket Officials runs courses that provide opportunities to move on to higher levels.

Umpiring

Certified Umpiring Courses

The Essex Association of Cricket Officials runs local courses for those who want to umpire matches within the local community.

The Introductory Course is aimed at beginners and will provide the skills needed to umpire Junior School Age softball cricket.

The Intermediate Course develops skills learned in the Introductory Course to equip participants with the knowledge to umpire teenage hardball cricket. There is no obligation to complete the introductory course before taking the intermediate.

If you would like to take a course or belong to a Club who would like to host a course, please contact [email protected].

APPLY HERE

Introductory Course

Standing at Bowler’s and Striker’s End

Wides

No Balls

Basic Signals

Main Modes of Dismissal

Intermediate Course

Advanced Signalling

Umpire’s Equipment

ECD Directives

The Toss

No Balls (advanced)

Wides (advanced)

Runscoring

Modes of dismissal (advanced)

Counting the balls in an over and signalling between umpires

Intermediate Course

Learning with the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) is for people who are interested in umpiring at higher levels, and has a defined pathway that sets out the opportunities for you to progress up the ranks in either role.

The below course is designed to give new umpires the key skills, knowledge and confidence to stand as an umpire in cricket, and no prior experience of umpiring in cricket is required before attending any of the courses.

The only pre-requisite to attending the below course is being a minimum of 14 years old.

Candidates will gain ECB accreditation and free membership of ECB ACO for a year, with the benefit of insurance when umpiring and access to up-to-date information on umpiring and scoring.

Additionally, when joining the ECB ACO, people will automatically become members of the Essex ACO which will give access to further training and support.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

BOOKING DETAILS

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Certified Scoring Course

The roles of the officials are among the most important in cricket. New umpires and scorers are always required at the recreational level.

In Essex, we run courses for umpires and scorers to help people understand more about the roles, in addition, the ECB Association of Cricket Officials runs courses that provide opportunities to move on to higher levels.

ECB Scoring Course

The ECB ACO Level 2 course is for ACO members who are accredited level 1 scorers and are thinking about scoring matches for multiple clubs, in new and longer formats of the game.

This course focuses on the planning and preparation required when scoring away from your home venue and covers some of the additional duties that scorers perform.

After attending this course, scorers will need to score a minimum of 10 matches, putting into practice the topics covered in the course. They will need to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate this and when ready, apply for professional discussion and accreditation.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

BOOKING DETAILS

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Expired

ENQUIRIES

If you have any questions in relation to the Essex ACO or the courses on offer, please get in touch.

Send an email

[email protected]

Grounds Association

The Essex Grounds Association is a collective body responsible for overseeing and maintaining the cricket grounds across Essex County, England. Comprising representatives from various clubs and organisations, its primary objective is to ensure the optimal condition and standardisation of playing surfaces, facilities, and amenities across different regional cricket venues. The association plays a vital role in promoting the development and sustainability of cricket infrastructure in Essex.

The Essex Grounds Support Network

The Essex Grounds Support Network (EGSN) is the pitch-advisory subgroup of the Essex Grounds Association, covering Essex and Metropolitan Essex. The aim of the EGSN is to support recreational cricket from the grassroots up through the delivery of training programmes and pitch inspections.

MORE INFORMATION

Pitch Inspections

The EGSN offers a variety of levels of assistance from informal advice to a full GMA Performance Quality Standards report.

Request a Site Visit

Enquiries

For more information about The Essex Grounds Association and Essex Grounds Support Network,  please get in touch.

Call our team

07518 343224

Send an email

[email protected]

Recreational Funding

Grants are a key way that clubs and organisations can gain funding to further their development and sustainability. Whether it's starting a new club or just needing some extra funds for equipment, there's grants for all.

The following grant schemes are available for eligible grassroots organisations to apply for.

ECB County Grant Fund

The County Grants Fund aims to support affiliated cricket clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and help clubs tackle the impact of climate change.

Grant: £1,000 - £10,000

APPLY HERE

ECB Interest-Free Loan Scheme

The England and Wales Cricket Trust Interest-Free Loan Scheme provides finance to clubs for capital projects to help them build and ensure a sustainable future.

All scheme applicants must demonstrate that funds will be used to benefit the general community and not just a small group.
There is greater scope for a larger grant for Clubs that have a junior section, however, all Clubs can apply.

How much can be applied for?
Grant (with juniors): £1,000 - £50,000 
Grant (without juniors): £1,000 - £10,000
Other organisations: subject to application

APPLY HERE

Grass Pitch Improvement Fund

The Grass Pitch Improvement Fund (GPIF) aims to tackle inequalities by providing improved access to good quality, safe playing facilities for targeted groups. The Sport England Lottery Fund will provide funding for projects in England with projects in Wales supported by the England and Wales Cricket Trust.

Priority will be given to applications which support cricket for the following groups:
Women’s and girls’ cricket
Cricket in diverse communities
Disability cricket
Low socio-economic groups (LSEG)

Investment will be targeted into three main areas:
Improving the quality of squares and outfields (for grass pitches rated ‘unsuitable’ or ‘basic’ to improve to at least ‘good’)
Creating sustainable management of sites (through irrigation and machinery improvements)
Installing hybrid pitches to increase laying capacity

More information

Sport England Funding Opportunities

Sport England are offering funding for physical activity projects in the community through The Movement Fund. The focus of this fund is on people who face barriers to activity and projects designed to help them join in.

Grants or pledges: £300-£15,000

More information

clubmark

Clubmark is an accreditation scheme for cricket clubs which shows that a club is sustainable, well-run and provides the right environment for its members. Clubmark accreditation also means your club is recognised as a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all ages, as well as assuring parents and carers that they are choosing the right option for their young people.

User Portal

Raising standards

Clubmark remains a key component of helping clubs raise standards in the recreational game and is used by many leagues as an entry requirement and the Home Office as part of requirements for the managed migration process.

For this season (2025), there is no requirement for current ECB Clubmark Accredited Clubs to undertake any updates or actions to maintain their accreditation for 2025. This has been communicated directly to accredited clubs from the ECB central team along with information regarding the future direction of Clubmark and the introduction of a New Club Accreditation scheme from 2026.

A copy of the communication can be viewed here.

ACCESS THE PORTAL

The club’s submission and your Safe Hands Management System profile will then be reviewed. Where all criteria have been met ECB will confirm accreditation, however, if there is some remediation to be undertaken Clubs will be given a short extension to complete this.

A key element of the scheme is compliance with the Safe Hands Management System. It is important that individuals within regulated roles are vetted before they take up a role. If that action is completed then when an individual is added to the system the vetting checks will then match up. Another key reminder is to ensure that an ECB DBS is held.