With the new season just around the corner, anticipation across the recreational game is starting to build. Months of preparation - led by dedicated club volunteers - are now coming together. This stage of the year is where we shift from planning into action, as clubs open their doors and cricket comes to life across the country.
The club network is absolutely central to the ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ and the game itself. Clubs are the heartbeat of recreational cricket, providing opportunities for over 1.2 million participants across 5,700 clubs and more than 43,000 teams competing in senior, junior, women’s, and girls’ cricket. From 2022 to 2025, the number of women’s teams more than doubled, girls’ teams grew by 68%, and total teams increased by 19%. Fixtures have also risen, with over 213,000 played in 2025, an 18% increase since 2022. These figures highlight a thriving, evolving network and dispel the myth that clubs are in decline.
Supporting clubs is therefore a priority at every level. We know that strong clubs are essential for participation, for player development, and for the health of the recreational game. That’s why the ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ is committed to providing clubs with the tools, guidance, and practical support they need to thrive now and in the future.
Thriving Clubs Strategy
In January, the ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ launched the Thriving Clubs Strategy, outlining our ambition to create a club network that reflects the diversity of our communities, responds to participants’ changing needs, and secures the long-term future of recreational cricket across England and Wales. By harnessing the current momentum in women’s, girls’, and junior cricket, we are reimagining clubs not just as places to play, but as vibrant hubs that nurture talent, foster belonging, and inspire lifelong engagement with the game.
Crucially, this strategy was built by the recreational game, for the recreational game. Over 1,100 touchpoints with clubs, leagues, and Recreational Cricket Boards (RCBs) have shaped the approach to ensure it reflects the realities of those delivering cricket locally.
Supporting Clubs in Practice
The strategy focuses on three key areas:
- Strengthening foundations through affiliation – helping clubs confirm governance credentials, access tailored support, and unlock ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ Accredited Club status.
- Enabling purposeful development – through the Club Development Pathway, encouraging clubs to define their purpose, vision, and priorities across Playing Offer, People, Places, and Practices.
- Recognising and celebrating progress – via the Club Recognition Programme, encouraging clubs to reflect on achievements and continue developing with confidence.
What’s Already Been Delivered
Ahead of the season, several important milestones have been achieved:
- Club Development Pathway launched – consolidating all development tools and resources in one place for the professional workforce, with over 3,200 visits from 160+ RCB users.
- Whole Club Development workshops introduced – helping clubs define their purpose and vision, with more than 150 RCB staff trained to deliver them.
- Streamlined Club Affiliation – new Play-Cricket functionality enables clubs to complete Terms & Conditions quickly, with live reporting to support RCB follow-up.
- Club Affiliation Toolkit released – providing practical governance support, with over 3,400 visits to date.
- Direct engagement with 500+ clubs – supporting them to clarify priorities and prepare for the season ahead.
Looking Ahead
The start of the season is a powerful reminder of what our collective effort makes possible: more opportunities to play, stronger clubs, and a thriving network across the recreational game.
Our focus remains clear: to provide clubs with the guidance, resources, and practical support they need to grow sustainably, develop participants, and strengthen their local cricket environments. By continuing to invest in and work alongside the network, we can ensure clubs remain central to the game - vibrant, welcoming, and resilient for many years to come.
You can read to full Thriving Clubs Strategy .