We welcome the ICEC report, published earlier this week, which is an important part of addressing the issues that have been raised.
Whilst we understand some of their findings may prove difficult to hear, we acknowledge that for cricket to truly become the most inclusive sport in England & Wales we all must accept the ICEC’s conclusions and look ahead to how we rise to this challenge as a sport.
Surrey County Cricket Club is committed to ensuring that cricket is a game for everyone. There is no place for discrimination in our society, and we must all play our part in ensuring it is rooted out and eradicated. We will support anyone who has suffered as a result of the issues the ICEC report has identified. Anybody who wants to contact the Club regarding their experiences are encouraged to do so by emailing equality@surreycricket.com
All communications will remain entirely confidential, and any allegations will be investigated thoroughly by an independent third party. We will make no public comment on individual cases.
Moving forward, as a Club we will continue our efforts to make cricket as inclusive as possible for all. We will look at ways we can do more in response to the report’s findings and commit to working collaboratively with the ECB and the wider game as part of the consultation process to formulate a response to the ICEC’s recommendations.
We remain proud of the work of the network of staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of initiatives across junior cricket, women’s cricket and in providing free access to weekly cricket sessions to disadvantaged communities via projects like the Chance to Shine Street projects.
In 2020, we helped launched the ACE Programme in response to the decline in cricket participation within the black community and we are delighted that the ACE Programme today stands as an independent charity, taking their mission of improving participation amongst underrepresented communities nationwide. As a Club, we will do what we can to revitalise cricket in the black community in our local area and in the wider county.
In reading the report, we acknowledge we need to reassess and redouble our efforts and ensure that your identity or personal circumstances are not a barrier to your participation in, or enjoyment of, cricket.
We also believe that the problems faced by our sport today need to be tackled collectively as much as possible, and one such initiative we hope can make a difference is the ‘Cricket 4 London’ project.
In late 2022, alongside the Counties of Essex, Middlesex and Kent we signalled our intention to launch the ‘Cricket 4 London’ project. ‘Cricket 4 London’ intends to use the combined resources and expertise of the four professional London cricket Clubs to combat the limited availability of physical activity and sport in London’s most deprived areas, especially amongst children and young people.
In January 2023 we also launched a new State School Cricket programme for Sixth Form pupils. Working with state schools across inner-city London and the wider County it intends to support those children that have an interest in cricket and want to learn more about a career in the sport.
This month, for the first time, we introduced a new ‘video assessment’ process which allows all aspiring cricketers to nominate themselves for the Club’s Talent pathway via a video submission of their cricketing abilities. The aim is to have as wide a group of boys and girls as possible be considered for the pathway.
As a Club we will look to build on the work we have already begun through the Foundation and in our community, but also continue to look for new ways in which we can improve our sport, make it more inclusive and make sure the next generation inherit a sport of which they can be truly proud.
To read the ECB statement on the ICEC report click here
To read the Club’s EDI Action Plan click here
To access the ICEC report in its entirety click here
To read more about the work of Surrey Cricket Foundation click here
