The Isle of Wight Cricket Board has announced its decision to withdraw its Under-14 and Under-16 sides from English Cricket Board competitions for the remainder of the season.
This follows complaints from larger counties that the gulf in standards between their sides and those from the Isle of Wight was simply too great.
Other counties believe that playing the Island was detrimental to the well-being and welfare of the youngsters involved in the games.
Cricket Development Manager for the Isle of Wight Cricket Board Nick Heelan has said:
“We have had to make a very difficult decision to cancel all the Under 14 and Under 16 ECB Competition games for the rest of the season.
“I have been in discussion for the last week with the ECB who have had contact from several of the larger Counties questioning the appropriateness of them playing against our Under 14s and Under 16s as there is such a gulf in standards.
“The other Counties do not think it is to the benefit of the welfare and well-being of all the players involved.
“The reality is that we have always found it extremely tough as a very small county, but we have tried to ‘box well above our weight’ and had some notable successes but a lot of heavy losses.
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“I am seeing messages from parents that their children are no longer enjoying cricket, which is against the whole aim of what we hope to achieve. I have discussed with quite a few parents and Directors about the potential of going into a district model with Hampshire next year for the lower age ranges up to Under 16.
“We hope to rearrange some fixtures for the dates we have in our county diary so the players don’t lose too much cricket but that will be a challenge this late in the season. Hampshire have said if we send them the names and contact details for our strongest under-14s, they will try to play them in their district model this season, and those that shine will get access to other pathways.”
The other Counties do not think it is to the benefit of the welfare and well-being of all the players involved.
so…rather than realise their mistakes and focus on practising and taking the hits until they do win, they grizzle, cry and give up like weaklings – pathetic – get a backbone and fight back, instead of being so weak.
I understand the sentiments but there are answers, a better class of coaching for a start , if you do not go out there and test yourselves playing better opposition you will never improve, all that will be left in a few years is island adult cricket with very inferior players
Its playing asgainst better sides which encourages you to do better.