Foreword from the ECB

Cricket is our national summer sport and is already enjoyed by millions of people
throughout England and Wales, across all ages and from a hugely diverse range of
backgrounds.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is firmly and enthusiastically committed
to ensuring that Cricket provides a safe, friendly and enjoyable experience for
Children and Vulnerable Adults in particular. The Welfare of Young People in
Cricket Policy provides our sport with the tools to ensure that the whole game
takes up the challenge of continuously improving the participation conditions for
Children and Young People.

As the National Governing Body for Cricket we take our responsibility for
the well-being of the game extremely seriously and we want everyone to have
a positive experience whatever their involvement. This Policy will greatly
enhance the value of our existing activities and practices throughout our
extensive Club and Schools network and ensure that the many thousands of
Coaches and Volunteers integral to our game are supported. Cricket will
continue to offer wonderful opportunities in an environment where Boys, Girls,
Vulnerable Adults, Coaches and Volunteers all feel safe and secure both now
and in the future.

The Policy will be backed up by a comprehensive training and education
programme, a structured implementation plan and a sensitive process to respond
to concerns.

The ECB will review its Welfare of Young People Policies and procedures on an
ongoing basis in line with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit and Sport
England Action Plan and this document will be reviewed by October 2006.

Keith Pont
Director of Development