Cricket Ireland outlines vision for future

The vision also includes a ‘particular focus on supporting the club game, increasing opportunities for women and girls, and introducing new mass participation programmes to position the sport for a period of growth across Ireland’.

The Plan, titled ‘Creating a Cricket Island’ sets out a staged approach to growing the game of cricket across Ireland, consolidating of the sport’s achievements over the last decade, strengthening the foundations of the sport, and positioning cricket for a planned period of growth from 2024-2031.

Amongst the key targets, Cricket Ireland will aim to roll out three new national participation programmes to engage kids and provide schools with resources, training and access to advocates for the game; significantly increase opportunities for women and girls to play cricket - including new programmes, club supports and increasing the visibility of the women’s game and invest in the men’s and women’s international squads to seek on-field success and regular world cup qualification.

Ross McCollum, Chair of Cricket Ireland, said: “I am delighted to release the new Cricket Ireland Strategic Plan 2021-2023, which provides a roadmap for the short-to-medium term future of Irish cricket. This document is essentially the first of a two-part plan for the growth of cricket across Ireland – a sport that has a long and winding history on this island.

“Since being awarded full membership of the ICC in 2017 – more than two years ahead of our ambitious schedule – the Board of Cricket Ireland has taken a prudent approach to the process of transitioning our organisation to be able to meet the needs of the new era.”

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