The Somerset Cricket Board has been asked by the ECB to pilot the emerging Club Accreditation Scheme, known as `Clubmark'.

Sport England is promoting this scheme in partnership with the ECB to recognise and accredit clubs that are committed to providing a safe, effective and child friendly environment for children and young people.

To gain the `Clubmark' the core criteria that has to be met covers the duty of care and child protection, coaching and competition , sports equity and ethics and club management.

Once clubs have gained the `Clubmark' there will be some clubs in the county who will want to go onto the next level of the scheme and these will then strive to meet the criteria laid down for the `Community Mark'.

Beyond the `Community Mark' there will be a few clubs who may aspire to the `Performance Mark' with the ultimate level being the `Excellence Mark' that is likely to be attained by a very small number of clubs in the county.

Somerset Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me: "Gaining accreditation will be challenging for many clubs. Some will already operate to standards set by the ECB, but others will need to undergo a considerable amount of development work."

Mr Moulding continued: "In order to pilot the scheme, Somerset has selected a team of SCB officials to act as club assessors who will assist clubs to gain accreditation. The team members have already received training from the ECB and have made a start on the process."

The Development Officer continued: "Bath Cricket Club, Taunton Cricket Club and Weston super Mare have all been selected to pilot the scheme, along with village club Broadway and Horton from South Somerset, to demonstrate that it is not just the big clubs who can gain accreditation."

He concluded: "We feel that this is an excellent scheme and will give all clubs the probability of demonstrating their commitment to good practice whilst providing opportunities for young people."

© SOMERSET