Cheshire is an example of a non first class board which has put in place first class development pathways.

A key to Cheshire’s progress and performance is the strength and quality of people who have made up the board.

There is a great amount of praise due to cricket development manager Richard Newton who has been key in developing Cheshire as a leading county in cricket development.

He and the rest of the board are passionate about cricket, but about Cheshire cricket in particular, and their forward thinking mindset has helped them develop.

An example of this has been to employ people as a board, not through third parties, and set up procedures and accept the full responsibilities of employing staff.

Although Cheshire is not a first class county, their approach to developing recreational cricket is first class and the board are always keen to see their county high in any national comparisons.

The Board have established a support package for their key members, the clubs. This support package is based round the support the CDCs give to Focus Clubs. Seventy clubs have achieved Clubmark Accreditation, 60 fully uploaded on CBMS, encouraging clubs to get involved with NatWest CricketForce (63 in 2007) and gain access to CCDP and SiS funding to develop facilities. So far 15 per cent of Cheshire clubs have received funding under this scheme with more to follow.

It could be complicated, but all that the county have achieved has been down to thorough planning and establishment of a strong structure. The establishment of the Improvement Planning Process has contributed significantly to the county’s ability to identify key areas for supporting Focus Clubs in their development and hence the delivery of the game throughout the county.

The Board and Richard Newton (CDM) with Mike Woollard (CDO) have created a relationship with the clubs based on mutual respect and trust. Using strong development groups as a means of access to most clubs especially Focus Clubs, they have developed an understanding that while the achievement of ECB Clubmark and uploading of CBMS is not compulsory, it is immensely beneficial.

The number of clubs - 128 - having embraced these criteria and achieved focus club status is a testament to this relationship and the readiness of clubs to adopt
change and a forward focussed approach to the delivery of the game in the county.

Cheshire have also been running courses for young people and coach education draws in £180,000 per year in course fees.