ECB welcomes plans to improve racial equality

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has welcomed a report entitled 'Racial Equality in Cricket' which makes a series of recommendations on how to make the game more inclusive of ethnic minorities.

Commissioned by the ECB, the report was compiled by a study group chaired by Terry Bates, ECB Special Projects Manager, which included Mahesh Patel CRE/Sporting Equals), Trina Miller (Sport England), Rupert Evans (Oxfordshire Cricket Development Officer), Rudra Singh (Lancashire Cricket Development Officer), Antoinette Hylton (National Institute for Ethnic Studies), Michael Atkins (Yorkshire County Board), Richard Davis (former Regional Cricket Development Officer - London).

This group interviewed a wide range of people from inside and outside cricket and launched an independent research survey to determine attitudes to racism in the game.

As a result of this work the ECB Management Board has agreed to consult with Test Match Grounds, County Boards and other interested and affected parties to discuss the practical implications of implementing the recommendations.

The proposals are:-

* ECB affiliated clubs at all levels to have an active, open door membership policy written into their constitution for players, officials and members and to implement a Code of Conduct for players, officials, members and supporters, prohibiting racially abusive comments and actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters.

* ECB to formulate policies, statements and actions with regard to:-

* Test, International, County, tour match programmes including a standard anti-racism statement.

* Test, International, County, tour match ground venues to make public address announcements at the first indication of racist chanting, abuse, offensive behaviour condemning such actions and stating that immediate action will be taken and a ban from future matches implemented for offenders.

* Test, International, County, tour match ground venues ensuring ground officials and stewards are trained to take action against racist chanting and abuse.

* Season and match day tickets to bear an anti-racism statement.

* Host grounds ensuring there is no sale or distribution of racist literature in or around their ground, especially on match days.

* A percentage/number of tickets for Test Matches and One Day Internationals being withheld for sale until, at most, one month before each match.

* Test Match and One Day International ground venues designating spectator areas where musical instruments are allowed.

* ECB to establish, at national/regional/County level, forums embracing allied agencies to discuss the progress of anti-racism policies, problems facing ethnic minority and mainstream cricket and recommending further proposals if necessary.

* ECB to introduce and implement regulations to eliminate racist comments and actions, with appropriate penalties.

* County Boards in their Development Plans and Annual Activity Programmes to initiate/extend/embrace ethnic minority schemes where those populations are significant in number including;-

* Use of relevant role models.

* Increase and improve opportunities to pursue courses in coach education, umpiring, administration.

* Coaching in schools and clubs.

* County Boards to actively pursue a policy of dialogue and action with local authorities to:-

* Improve the standard of pitches and ground facilities, so allowing ethnic minority (and white) clubs the opportunity to progress through the pyramid of club cricket.

* Ensure ethnic minority clubs have equal opportunity of access to pitch availability.

* Safeguard and retain existing playing fields.

* ECB and County Boards to initiate literature, posters, competitions and campaigns in schools and clubs using the ECB anti-racism logo and motto 'Clean Bowl Racism'.

* ECB and County Boards to initiate and implement procedures to monitor and evaluate output and outcomes of their ethnic minority and anti-racism policies.

* County Boards to encourage and advise ethnic minority clubs and communities to apply to funding support agencies to improve facilities and activity programmes.

* County Boards to encourage ethnic minority clubs and leagues to become an integral part of the cricket family by embracing and accepting diverse cultures within their structures and environment and to welcome them.

* County Clubs and County Boards to extend their talent scouting systems to ensure the identification of ethnic minority talent at all levels within their boundaries and the subsequent monitoring and management of youngsters identified.

* ECB to continue to provide equity training for employed staff, including those employed by County Clubs/Boards, and to extend this policy to volunteers.

* ECB to commission evaluation of its anti-racism and racial equality policies. With special measures being taken by ECB to eliminate racism, it will be necessary to evaluate its anti-racism policies and action plans implemented. It is suggested that a minimum period of three years elapses from January 2000 to ensure a meaningful, objective evaluation.

* ECB to dedicate a senior member of staff to lead its anti-racism policies.

* ECB to resource through staff and funding support the recommendations contained in the report.

The ECB welcomed the work undertaken by the Study Group and said it was keen to consult the wider game on the way forward. However, Chief Executive Tim Lamb said: "We must put the research which has been undertaken into context.

There are no great revelations here. We were always aware that some element of racism existed and we have not sat around idly and let it fester."

Lamb said a number of initiatives had already been undertaken independently of the work of the Study Group - including a programme of equity training with Sport England - and further plans would be implemented, such as an ongoing programme to bring cricket to inner city areas.

"One of the fundamental objectives of the ECB has always been to make the game accessible to all and it will continue to be a key priority over the coming years. We will be targeting specific areas for development and seeking co-operation from local authorities to enable us to improve or create facilities. Some of our other plans, for example to improve pitches and to launch a special secondary school game, will also help to make cricket more inclusive."

The findings, resulting from the commissioned questionnaire survey, served as a scientific validation for much of the anecdotal knowledge and evidence on the matter of racism in cricket. The contribution of consultees endorsed the view that racism existed in cricket. However only 12% of the 1037 questionnaire survey respondents thought that racism was ingrained in English cricket.

In response to the question 'Do you believe there is racism in English cricket?' 58% believed racism existed. A number of respondents commented that they thought racism in cricket was not a serious problem.

There were several issues which recurred in many of the consultees' discussion: ground/pitch/facility provision; exclusion from mainstream cricket; selection; lack of ethnic minority representation on committees at County/national level; poor levels of appreciation of culture and traditions between white and ethnic minorities; restriction of banners, flags, musical instruments at, and ticket sale policies for, Test Matches and One Day Internationals.

The poor standard of pitches and lack of facilities generated the strongest views as a barrier to the development and progress of ethnic minority clubs/teams. It was often seen to be used as an excuse not to accept entry into, or promotion in, leagues and consequently seen as racism.

The report said the lack of minority representation on County/National committees must be rectified as it is being in relation to girls'/women's cricket and cricket for the disabled.

It added that the right of individuals/groups to form, respectively, clubs/leagues is recognised. However, a priority must be to encourage integration of ethnic minorities, both on an individual and club/team basis, within an inclusive structure.

"Complacency on racial equality is not acceptable. We must open our doors to everyone and ensure that all cricketers and those associated with the game are treated with respect and given every opportunity to participate in or support the game" said Lamb.

"We have introduced an active programme of talent spotting and I am sure that many youngsters from ethnic backgrounds will catch our eye. Already, for example, 25% of the players on the ECB's wrist spin development programme are of Asian origin and there are around 25 British Asians who are contracted to First Class County Clubs."

For further information and to obtain a copy of 'Racial Equality in Cricket', please contact:- ECB Corporate Affairs - 0171 432 1200