Wanstead & Snaresbrook Cricket Club is proud of its record in developing young cricketers who go on successfully to represent the club at senior level. Typically 75/80% of our 1st XI squad have graduated through the junior ranks. The aims of this protocol are to continue this tradition by:
● Introducing young players to adult cricket at an appropriate time in their development;
● Mentoring and supporting junior players who take part in adult cricket;
● Ensuring a clear pathway for junior player development;
● Managing the expectations of junior players and their families so that junior players continue to perform well and enjoy their cricket.

It is recognised that adult playing members take priority over juniors in selection for adult sides. The inclusion of junior players in adult sides is primarily to help them develop as players and has to be flexible. Parents should not expect that juniors will play in adult cricket every week. It is a club requirement that parental consent is obtained for juniors to play adult cricket at annual registration.

Protocols
1. All adult team captains have to be aware of safeguarding issues, and must have a current DBS clearance.
2. At the start of each season, the Head of Junior Cricket, in conjunction with relevant coaches, managers and co-ordinators, will draw up a list of players deemed suitable for selection for adult teams, which will also include their recommended playing level. This list may be revisited at points during the course of the season.
3. The list will be agreed with the Chairman of the Club, who is also Chairman of the Adult Selection Committee, and distributed to all adult captains.
4. Junior players may be selected for an appropriate team at the adult selection meeting.
5. Junior players may be selected to replace any unavailable players after selection.
6. Adult team captains have a responsibility to ensure that any junior player selected in his/her team is properly looked after, encouraged and given a good game experience.
7. If a junior player is selected, either at original selection, or as a replacement, to a side higher than his/her recommended level, both the Chairman and the Head of Junior Cricket must be consulted.
8. ECB guidelines state that children can play adult cricket when they are 12. Essex have ruled that a risk assessment must be written for all 12 year olds and sent to them for agreement. At Wanstead, children will not play adult cricket until they are 12 unless there are exceptional circumstances agreed by the Head of Junior Cricket and the Chairman.
9. U13 players may be selected for adult sides; ideally this would not happen early in the season when the player is in this age group. If an U13 is to be selected before the school half term holiday during the summer season, both the Chairman and the Head of Junior Cricket must agree.
10. The aim is to have a maximum of 5 junior players in any one adult league side.
11. Parents must at all times be kept aware of the selection of junior players; junior managers and adult team captains have a responsibility for establishing positive communication relations with parents.
12. The interests of junior players shall be the responsibility of a named member of the selection committee; the selection committee may consider co-opting the Head of Junior Cricket if the need arises.
13. The Head of Junior Cricket is responsible for liaising with the Chairman and adult team captains regarding the performance and behaviour of junior players in adult teams.
14. If a parent is concerned about what is happening with his/her son/daughter in the adult sides then he/she should contact the Chairman and/or the Head of Junior Cricket.