Welcoming The Sports Nexus Report on English Cricket published today, Sport England, the strategic lead for sport in England, announced that future funding will need to be considered, if the governance of English Cricket does not embrace reform.

Sport England has invested significantly in cricket over the years and sees the development of cricket from grassroots to elite as critical to achieving increased national participation and international success.

Commenting on the Report, Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: ‘Sport England recognises the importance of cricket to English sport. We are concerned that the governance of the ECB may threaten the future growth and success of this sport. We may have to consider future funding if significant changes are not made before cricket’s four-year business plan is submitted in November.’

Sport England will, in the meantime, continue to fund Team England and the National Cricket Academy, both of which are great successes. Sport England particularly congratulates Team England’s rise to no 2 in the world.

Sport England has become increasingly concerned by the governance of English Cricket and has endeavoured to work with all parties to modernise this sport. The approach to the ECB has been inclusive, charting a course of reform from within. Sport England has worked with all key partners including the ECB, the MCC, cricket sponsors and broadcast partners.

Sport England is also undertaking reform into the following sports: golf, bowls, karate, boxing, hockey and athletics. Working with Sport England, rugby league has been successfully reformed this year.

For more details contact:

Sarah Shore – Communications Manager
Sport England, Third Floor Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4SE.
Tel: 020 7273 1590 Fax: 020 7383 0273
sarah.shore@sportengland.org
www.sportengland.org