Cricket club penalised for girls' team failings

The ECB introduced new rules for local clubs to encourage girls' cricket this year [Getty Images]

A century-old cricket club has been deducted 12 points at the start of the season for not making sufficient progress towards running girls' teams.

Jer Lane Cricket Club in Great Horton was penalised by the Bradford Premier League because it was deemed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) "not to have made sufficient progress" with its girls' programme.

Clubs in the top two divisions of all ECB Premier Leagues were required to have a designated leader for girls' cricket in place by 31 March and encourage them to complete a coaching qualification.

A spokesperson from the ECB said the requirements had been communicated to clubs for the last two seasons.

They said: "In exchange for ECB funding, Premier Leagues need to meet specific criteria which are designed to promote strong clubs, rather than a short-term focus solely on having strong teams.

"This is good for the health of the clubs and the game more generally. One of these criteria relates to clubs having a girls' section."

According to the Bradford Premier League, there are bursaries available for women who attend an ECB coaching course, and information sessions were held for all clubs in January.

The spokesperson added: "Where clubs do not deliver against the criteria and fail to evidence any work in addressing these issues, we would expect leagues to impose the relevant penalties."

Jer Lane was established in 1923. It has two senior sides in the Gordon Rigg Bradford Cricket League and two junior sides in the Halifax Junior Cricket League.

By 31 October 2026 clubs will be required to have a girls-only cricket programme and to have played one girls' fixture indoor or outdoor, softball or hardball, competitive or friendly.

Jer Lane Cricket Club did not respond to a request for comment.

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