The Association of Cricket Coaches (ACC), the official body for coaches, has voted overwhelmingly to merge with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to form the ECB Coaches Association (ECB CA). It means that the ECB now assumes overall responsibility for the education and support of cricket coaches.

Hugh Morris, ECB Performance Director, said: "This is very good news for the ECB, and cricket coaches working at all levels. As the governing body for the sport, we have been keen to support our qualified coaches, and I am delighted that the ACC have agreed to come under our auspices.

"It will enable us to increase training opportunities for our coaches which is a major step forward in our target to produce the most effective coach education structure in the world."

Bill Lake, ACC Chairman, said: "Since its formation the ECB has been gradually bringing together the various bodies responsible for cricket. This is the latest in a line of logical steps forward. As the ACC vote shows, it is seen as a great opportunity for coaches to come directly under the wing of the governing body for the first time.

"We are confident that both parties and cricket generally, will derive tremendous benefit from a relationship that not only recognises the importance of maintaining good grass roots coaches and coaching, but also encourages coaches with suitable potential to be trained to much higher standards than hitherto."

ECB CA will provide comprehensive coach support from playground to Test arena. Coaches can now become licensed for the first time, ensuring on-going education and training programmes are followed as well as updating knowledge on the latest practices and drills.

Insurance will be provided and regular communication guaranteed through bulletins and ECB coaching publications such as Hitting the Seam.

The ECB will appoint a full-time membership officer and part-time communications officer to administer the ECB CA. Both will be based at the ECB Coach Education Department at Edgbaston.

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