The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), together with Play-Sport New Media, today launches the first internet site to serve the needs of all recreational cricketers - www.play-cricket.com

The partnership between the ECB and Play-Sport New Media was announced in June, but the site goes 'live' today. It will provide an extensive, multi-site internet network for amateur cricketers and their cricketing communities, designed to link individuals, clubs and schools throughout the country, thus forming an interactive on-line recreational cricket community.

Frank Kemp, ECB Cricket Operations Manager for Recreational Cricket, said, "This is great news. We will now be able to start building our on-line cricket communities, with a view to having a considerable presence for the start of the 2001 season. If used to it's potential, this technology has the capability to revolutionise the organisation of recreational cricket. In future, clubs will be able to save money as well as generate income."

The concept will enable individuals and groups to build, develop and manage their own customised web sites, which will provide key information and services to its members and interested parties.

Individuals will consequently be able to register on the site through his / her club, school, district, regional or representative team, and will gain access to, for example, team news, playing calendars, team selection and player statistics.

Teams will also be linked to web sites so individuals can check on, for example, league or school playing schedules, competition rules, league championship tables, results, statistics, and see how other teams are performing throughout the country. In this way, an on-line 'virtual' community will be established.

These sites will greatly benefit the recreational cricketer and amateur cricket administrator in the areas of communication and organisation, and will allow cricket communities not only to save money but also to generate income.

Nick Chapman, Marketing Manager of play-cricket.com said, "This system is very user-friendly, not just for those who are internet-literate. People with no internet experience will still be able to build, develop and manage their own customised satellite sites with ease."

Further advantages for the individual include the possibility of setting up training and nutritional programmes on-line, building player profile databases and creating separate chat rooms to discuss tactics and team issues.

In addition, this ready access to the country's recreational cricketers provides extra opportunities for structured development within the game including, for example, the implementation of coaching programmes. Further potential exists for extensive marketing and sponsorship opportunities to benefit the game at national and local level.

For more information, contact Mark Hodgson, ECB Corporate Affairs, on 020 7432 1251, visit www.play-cricket.com, or contact Nick Chapman: Tel: 020 78087174. Fax: 020 78087175. E-mail: nick.chapman@psnm.com

© ECB