Age Groups
We run six coaching groups aligned to school years. Every group is led by an ECB-qualified, DBS-checked coach trained in first aid and safe hands – the ECBs safeguarding programmes – supported by assistants drawn from parents and Club members.
Under 8s
School year 3 or below
Under 11s
School years 4 to 6
Under 13s
School years 7 to 8
Under 15s
School years 9 to 10
Under 17s
School years 11 to 12
Under 19s
School years 13 and above
Training & Coaching
Under 8s: ECB All Stars Programme
Our youngest members follow the ECB AllStars programme. Summer sessions run at our home ground from mid-May through to the end of August — typically 16 weeks, extending well beyond the official eight-week programme. We do not run Under 8s sessions during the winter.
Children who reach school year 4 in the September after the season ends will be invited up to the Under 11s indoor sessions that winter.
Under 11s, 13s and 15s
Training for these age groups is combined. In summer, sessions run outdoors from the week after Easter to the end of August – around 20 weeks. In winter, we move indoors to the Fitzwimarc School: years 4–6 train from 18.00–18.50 and years 7–10 from 18.50–19.45. We review numbers each year and may adjust which year groups attend which session.
Under 17s & Under 19s
Older juniors train alongside our adult squads – a great way to prepare for senior cricket and build relationships across the club.
Matches & Competitions
From Under 11 upwards, each age group enters league and cup competitions run by the South Essex Cricket Participation Group (SECPG), a subsidiary of Essex County Cricket Club. The season typically runs from early May to mid-July.
| Age group | When | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Under 11s | Sunday mornings, 9–12 | Pairs cricket — every player bats and bowls two overs |
| Under 13s | Sunday mornings, 9–12 | T20 — all players bowl two overs, batters retire at 30 |
| Under 15s | Weekday evenings from 17.30 | T20 — max four overs per bowler, retirement at 30 |
| Under 17s & 19s | Weekday evenings (from mid-June) | The Hundred — 100-ball matches, 20 balls per bowler in blocks of 5 or 10 |
Under 11 and Under 13 matches are occasionally moved to weekday evenings to accommodate fixture clashes, weather cancellations, or cup rounds. Under 17 and Under 19 fixtures begin later in the year to avoid clashing with GCSEs and A-Levels.
We also enter county-wide competitions at Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 levels when squad depth allows, and in recent years our Under 11s have taken part in the Mini Matchplay — an afternoon of short-format softball matches at the Essex County Ground, with on-site catering, the chance to meet a current Essex player, and a light show to finish the day.
AVailability
We use Spond to share match dates, track availability, and confirm selections. Keeping your availability up to date makes a real difference to our coaches when planning sessions and picking sides.
Our Approach to
Development
The primary purpose of our youth section is to develop cricketers who go on to represent the club at senior level. Every junior member is given the time and support to improve — all are welcome at training and we aim to help everyone reach their potential.
How To Join
New to the club? You’re welcome to attend up to three sessions — indoor or outdoor — with no commitment before deciding. We’ll ask you to complete a membership form after your child’s first session so we hold the right contact and wellbeing information.
At the end of each season (September), the membership secretary reconciles any over- or underpayments based on actual matches played and indoor sessions attended.
Under 8s – joining via All Stars:
The standard route is to register through the official ECB All Stars Portal and pay the fee directly to the ECB (£50 for 2026). This includes your child’s place on the programme and a kit pack posted directly to you. If you join after the programme has already started, membership is available through the club at a reduced rate (£30 for 2026), though the ECB kit pack is not included.
