EASTON Cricket Club celebrated becoming one of only 12 Suffolk cricket clubs to be awarded the prestigious ECB ClubMark Accreditation, with a presentation of the award at the club.

EASTON Cricket Club celebrated becoming one of only 12 Suffolk cricket clubs to be awarded the prestigious ECB ClubMark Accreditation, with a presentation of the award at the club.

ECB ClubMark was introduced in 2002 to ensure that clubs operate to various minimum quality standards. At present there are 950 accredited clubs in England & Wales, meaning that Easton CC have joined the top 10% of clubs in the county for their organisation and development policy.

In achieving ECB ClubMark, the club has provided that it operates in a safe and child-friendly way, runs an effective coaching and playing programme, and has a clear vision for the future.

This achievement was celebrated by an organised Twenty20 match between two club sides comprising of just a few of the club's many junior players.

Following the match, Fred Mitchell, Chairman of Easton Cricket Club, was presented with the club's ECB ClubMark certificate by Michael Kay, ECB Cricket Development Manager for Suffolk.

Kay said: “Easton Cricket Club has demonstrated that it is one of the leading lights in Suffolk cricket. The club has worked extremely hard to achieve this accreditation, which will bring them many benefits including further club development, increased membership, development of coaches and other volunteers plus the profile of the club will be raised.

“ECB Clubmark status is something that the club and its members should be very proud of. If asked by a parent where best to send their child to learn cricket, I would always recommend a club with ECB ClubMark Accreditation.”