What is Clubmark?
Clubmark is an accreditation scheme run by Sport England which sets the standard for all quality sports clubs in England.
What does Clubmark stand for?
Clubmark stands for higher standards of safety, fairness, coaching and management. That way the nation’s sports club infrastructure will be safer, stronger and more successful.
This means that a club that has been awarded Clubmark has high standards of child protection and safety, quality coaching, equal opportunities and good management.
In essence a club which qualifies for Clubmark is a well run club.
Clubs awarded Clubmark can be proud of what they have achieved. Parents can be assured that their children belong to a safer club. Members can be sure their club is a well managed club, striving to offer the best in coaching and sports development. By striving to achieve higher standards clubs are likely to attract more members and build a sustainable future.
The ECB continues to work with Sport England on the pioneering club accreditation scheme ‘Clubmark’ to develop a vibrant and healthy club cricket infrastructure.
Cricket clubs can play a key role in the successful delivery of Building Partnerships – cricket’s strategic plan for 2006-2009 - by supporting the delivery and implementation of the following programmes:
- Focus Club Community Cluster Programme
- Affiliated Club and League services
- Workforce development
- Player development
- Facility development
- Competitions development
- A Chance to shine programme
The ECB Clubmark and community cricket clubs play a central role in all of these programmes and Clubmark will provide the standards that clubs involved in these programmes will aspire to.
In addition, it is expected that clubs who achieve the ECB Clubmark will be recognised and rewarded for their hard work and commitment to club cricket in England and Wales.
By registering to work towards ECB Clubmark, clubs join a growing number of cricket clubs across England and Wales that are prioritising junior development, creating a benchmark for high quality community club cricket.
There are a number of people and organisations who support clubs through the ECB Clubmark process, including the County Cricket Boards, County Sports Partnerships and local Sports Development Units among others.
County Cricket Development Managers can help clubs through the process of achieving ECB Clubmark Accreditation.
ECB Clubmark gives clubs an opportunity to write and implement new procedures as well as acknowledge existing practices. Cricket clubs are required to present evidence and demonstrate implementation across four different themes, culminating in the production of a Club Development Plan.
The four themes are:
- Duty of Care and Safeguarding Children
- The Cricket Programme
- Sports Equity and Ethics
- Club Management
