Cricket Shropshire

At Cricket Shropshire we have taken a proactive approach to our Safeguarding Education programme.
We are proud of our achievements and our ‘boots on the ground’ attitude has built strong relationships with our team and all involved with cricket in thecounty.

Following on from the roll out of online training in the Spring of 2021, we decided that face to face contact was needed.
We planned, educated our team and delivered these sessions with key members from our partner groups – staff, captains, umpires, scorers, County squads, supported by EDUFIT.
This Spring, we attended four separate Captain’s meetings, with support from the League. We talked through education and issues around EDI, as well as having some lively and diverse discussions about our game and the future of anti-discrimination being at its forefront.
Our new Captains Charter was laid out and will be worked on with further discussions with the League. These conversations have been vital in forming a plan going forward for future education and a roll out to clubs, players and volunteers.
Conversations supported by members of our diverse County have helped to see the importance of education and understanding feelings and problems that are deep rooted in our game.

With support from Jade Hibbert, the West Midlands Police Exploitation Lead, we rolled out a package of education in small cluster groups during the Spring. This extra area of training highlighted issues that are live in Shropshire. This was delivered not only to our CSOs, but also to Chairs and Junior Co-ordinators. The importance of this is key to a strong safeguarding culture going forward.

Our County Safeguarding Officers are now ECB Safe Hands Tutors. This has created a way for a Shropshire-based approach to this important element of Club Safeguarding Officers training. Tracey Pike and Sheila Dickie have successfully delivered three courses across the County. e of working as a team, promoting open and honest conversation and support.

Post Covid, as a team, we felt it was important to give time and attention to this important aspect. Having Mental Health Champions within Cricket Shropshire promotes a positive, personal approach to supporting our team and the larger cricket family. In this ever-changing world, taking time to have open discussion is vitally important.

Board member with responsibility for Safeguarding Sacha Lee said: “Although being very proud of the last few months of dedication and determination of our team, we know that Safeguarding our County is an ongoing process.
“As we review and continue with discussions, we hope that the awareness and the confidence to have open, honest conversations will continue.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported our Safeguarding education plan and continues to put Safeguarding at the forefront of conversation in our game.”
For more information contact Sacha via sacha.lee@shropshirecricketboard.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer Tracey Pyke: safeguarding@shropshirecricketboard.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer Sheila Dickie sheila.dickie@shropshirecricketboard.co.uk