ECB WOMEN S CRICKET SUPER LEAGUE ( WCSL ) HOST MINIMUM QUALITY STANDARDS

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1 ECB WOMEN S CRICKET SUPER LEAGUE ( WCSL ) HOST MINIMUM QUALITY STANDARDS Thank you for taking the time to read this document outlining the Minimum Quality Standards ( MQS ) for organisations wishing to submit an Expression of Interest to become one of the six ECB Women s Cricket Super League Hosts (each a WCSL Host ). These MQS should be read in conjunction with the WCSL Brochure and their purpose is to provide some further headline detail as to the ECB s core requirements for each WCSL Host to: a) provide a high quality training and competition environment for players and staff; b) have in place a management infrastructure to lead its day-to-day operation, including personnel, business and financial management; c) engage with the local community to inspire both genders, particularly girls, to play, attend and follow cricket; and d) provide a high quality standard of playing and ground facilities for players, spectators and media. These MQS are non-exhaustive and only intended as a summary of the ECB s anticipated headline requirements of each WCSL Host. Full details of a WCSL Host s obligations will be set out in due course in the standard form ECB WCSL Host Agreement which each successful bidder will be required to sign. A copy of the ECB WCSL Host Agreement will be circulated to all those parties who submit Expressions of Interest. All Expressions of Interest should be submitted using the template form provided by no later than 12 noon (London time) on Monday 3 August If you have any questions regarding these MQS, please contact the ECB s WCSL General Manager at WCSLenquiries@ecb.co.uk. 1

2 Contents Team Identity and Vision Team Identity Team Vision and Objectives Players & Support Staff Playing Squads Coaching Staff WCSL Team Head Coach WCSL Team Assistant Coaches WCSL Team Specialist Coaches Sports Science & Sports Medicine Staff WCSL Team Physiotherapist WCSL Team Strength & Conditioning Coach Training and Development Enviroment Player Development Planning WCSL Host Management Structure Delivery Team WCSL Host Policies and Compliance with relevant ECB Rules and Regulations Financial Management Sustainability Recreational Game Local Partnerships Commercial / Sponsorship, Marketing & Media Commercial / Sponsorship Marketing Media Facilities Ground Location Venue Requirements Pitch Requirements Welcoming Club Enviroment Media and Broadcast Facilities Training Facilities

3 1. Team Identity and Vision 1.1 Team Identity Each WCSL team must have its own new team name. Potential WCSL Hosts will be required to detail options for team names (which are subject to approval by ECB). It is preferable that the proposed team name should, as a minimum, identify the team location. By way of example only, Midlands Magicians, Devon Dynamos, Loughborough Lasers, Surrey Strikers. 1.2 Team Vision & Objectives The vision of the WCSL is: To develop the next generation of England players to ensure that the England Women s team remains the world s best women s team The objectives of the WCSL are to: Provide a high quality competitive league environment at the pinnacle of the domestic women s game in England and Wales Create a clearly defined player pathway which provides aspirational opportunities for women players at all levels Drive awareness of women s cricket to generate new players, attenders and followers of cricket Increase media interest and coverage of women s cricket, with a view to attracting more commercial interest Create opportunities for the women s cricket workforce 3

4 2. Players & Support Staff 2.1 Playing Squads Each WCSL squad will comprise 15 players and must be registered through the WCSL General Manager at least 3 months in advance of the first WCSL match each year. In order to achieve the ECB s key priority of a best v best competition, ECB will allocate the centrally contracted England players. It is proposed that the WCSL General Manager and the ECB s Women s High Performance Manager will work collaboratively with the WCSL Hosts to allocate the England Women s Academy players and other remaining players to ensure the best possible spread of skills, whilst also retaining as much focus as possible on existing local relationships and allegiances. It is anticipated that a maximum of two non-european Economic Area/non-Kolpak cricketers will be allowed to be registered at any one time for each WCSL team. Where relevant, ECB shall provide the appropriate information to WCSL Hosts to enable them to engage migrant female international players. These processes are ultimately subject to Home Office approval and further details are expected to be included within the Invitation to Tender. 2.2 Coaching Staff WCSL Hosts will be required to provide evidence that the following coaching personnel are in place or will be in place by 1st February 2016 and for the duration of the 2016 season WCSL Team Head Coach He/she should possess experience in delivering high quality player development programmes, as well as leading and managing a collaborative multi-disciplinary team to enhance player and team performance. Each WCSL team Head Coach must be a minimum of ECB Level 3 (or international equivalent) WCSL Team Assistant Coaches Assistant Coaches must have experience of working with high performance cricketers within a team environment and on an individual basis. They must also have experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and be a minimum of ECB Level 3 (or international equivalent) WCSL Team Specialist Coaches The WCSL Host must demonstrate how the specialist coaching areas (Fast Bowling / Spin Bowling / Batting / Wicket Keeping / Fielding) will be covered throughout 2016 and who will be responsible for delivering the sessions. Any specialist coaches (if different to the Head and Assistant Coaches) must be a minimum of ECB Level 3 (or international equivalent) and have demonstrable experience of working within the specific field with high performance cricketers. Each of the above coaches will be required to have an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and follow Safe Hands - Cricket s policy for Safeguarding Children. 2.3 Sports Science & Sports Medicine Staff The WCSL Host will need to demonstrate how Sport Science services will be integrated into the delivery of an elite player development programme. 4

5 2. Players & Support Staff WCSL Team Physiotherapist The WCSL Host will be required to ensure a physiotherapist is in attendance at all match days and that appropriate provision or access to the service is available away from match days. An outline of the processes must be in place for the diagnosis, treatment and management of injuries and an underpinning education programme for players to increase availability for selection and enhance performance. The WCSL Host will need to show evidence that the physiotherapist meets the minimum requirements set out below: he/she is contracted to provide match day coverage and appropriate levels of support aligned to the needs of an elite player development programme; he/she is currently registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and a current member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists; he/she has a suitable advanced life support and trauma management qualification; and he/she has enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and complies with Safe Hands - Cricket s Policy for Safeguarding Children WCSL Team Strength and Conditioning Coach The WCSL Host will be required to ensure that a Strength & Conditioning Coach is available to deliver an appropriate programme for high performance players and to show how the engagement and deployment of the service will positively impact on player development and performance enhancement. The WCSL Host will need to show evidence that the Strength & Conditioning Coach meets the minimum requirements set out below: he/she is contracted to provide appropriate levels of support aligned to the needs of an elite player development programme; he/she has current UKSCA accreditation (or evidence that a UKSCA accreditation assessment has been booked within the next 6 months); he/she has graduate qualifications in Sports Science and/or Strength and Conditioning (or 10 years demonstrable experience that would allow for accreditation by prior experience); he/she has basic life support training and first aid qualification (valid certificate must be presented); he/she has enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and complies with Safe Hands - Cricket s policy for Safeguarding Children; and he/she has current Professional Indemnity Insurance cover. 5

6 2. Players & Support Staff 2.4 Training and Development Environment Each WCSL Host will be responsible for the ongoing delivery of a high quality development programme for all squad players. The WCSL Host will be required to demonstrate how it will: create and develop an elite training and development environment underpinned by sound skill/player development principles; plan and implement a 12-month development programme, which accounts for the demands of a WCSL player; and review the effectiveness of the programme on a regular and objective basis. 2.5 Player Development Planning The WCSL Host will be responsible for providing a holistic integrated development programme for all squad players to enhance performance in the short, medium and long term. The WCSL Host will also need to demonstrate how they will deliver a player development programme meeting the needs of the individual squad members and the vision and objectives of the WCSL. The WCSL Host will need to demonstrate how the player development plans will be: developed and planned; implemented across different disciplines of the game; and reviewed and monitored. Player Development Plans for England Women s Cricket Pathway Players will require each WCSL Head Coach to work collaboratively with the Head Coach of the respective ECB programme. This will ensure there is an integrated and progressive development plan in place for each player outlining the key roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders. The WCSL Head Coach will be required to commit to attending all ECB-led Player Development education days delivered as part of the England Women s Cricket Pathway staff development programme. 6

7 3. WCSL Host Management Structure 3.1 Delivery Team Each WCSL Host will be required to provide full details of their corporate and ownership structure and their delivery team in the form of an organisational chart. The chart should outline all proposed staff (full time / part time / volunteer). Where known, WCSL Hosts should identify these individuals by name. Each WCSL Host is required to have a dedicated General Manager (a job description for which is provided in Appendix 1). It is also expected that each WCSL Host shall have an appointed financial controller or treasurer with appropriate qualifications and expertise, who shall be responsible for the WCSL Host s financial affairs. WCSL Hosts will also be strongly encouraged to have an identified marketing resource, whose focus would be on building awareness and profile of the WCSL Host to drive local awareness, commercial revenue and match-day attendance. There is no stipulation regarding whether any of these positions should be filled by a volunteer / part time / full time member of staff, but WCSL Hosts will be required to ensure that the individual has the capacity and appropriate experience/expertise to undertake the role. 3.2 WCSL Host Policies and Compliance with relevant ECB Rules and Regulations Each WCSL Host will be required to have in place appropriate policies, including but not limited to safeguarding, health and safety, risk management, inclusion and diversity and disciplinary/ grievance policies. In addition each WCSL Host would be required to comply at all times with any relevant and applicable ECB Rules and Regulations. 3.3 Financial Management ECB anticipates that the WCSL Host rights will be awarded for 5 years (2016 to 2020 inclusive) and this will be confirmed in the Invitation to Tender documentation. We have enclosed with these MQS a Financial Guidelines document which sets out the estimated anticipated core costs of becoming a WCSL Host for each season during that period. Each entity which bids to becomes a WCSL Host will be required to provide financial forecasts, on a standard ECB template, for the period from 1 February 2016 to 31 January 2019, which will include among other things: salary costs specific to the WCSL Host, broken down on a role by role basis; anticipated sponsorship and other commercial income and other income streams; the proposed funding commitment from the WCSL Host and/or its investors (i.e. over and above any ECB funding); and projected gate and other match day receipts. 7

8 4. Sustainability To maximise the potential of each WCSL Host to have a positive impact on the local community, we will expect WCSL Hosts to have a clear plan for how they will drive awareness to generate new players, attenders and followers of women s cricket. 4.1 Recreational Game The ECB s target is to significantly increase the number of women and girls playing cricket in England and Wales by Each bidder will be required to confirm the total number of clubs within the catchment area and the number of those who currently have women s and/or girls sections. Each bidder will also be asked to outline the steps they would take to increase the participation of women and girls in cricket in their catchment area, including through increasing the number of women s and/or girls sections of existing clubs in that area. 4.2 Local Partnerships To maximise the impact of the WCSL it is essential that the WCSL Host forges relationships with the local community. Bidders will be expected to outline their plans for: links with local County Cricket Board and / or County Cricket Club; local business engagement; and current and possible future relationships and partnerships within the local community e.g. Schools, Universities, other sports clubs, faith groups, local authorities and county sports partnerships. Examples will need to be provided as to how these relationships would impact financially on the WCSL Host and be used to maximise the impact of the WCSL Host locally, drive attendances, and increase access to cricket opportunities within the local community. 4.3 Commercial/Sponsorship, Marketing and Media Commercial/Sponsorship The ECB will, subject to compliance with the Host Agreement, award one-off fee payments of 60,000, 75,000 and 85,000 in each of 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively to reflect the proposed expansion of the WCSL in terms of the number of matches across both formats by In addition, player and host prize money will made be available by the ECB. Whilst ECB will encourage WCSL Hosts to maximise their commercial revenues via team sponsorship and other team commercial assets, the ECB will control and allocate certain inventory (e.g. media rights, title sponsorship rights, a certain number of perimeter boards and other in-ground branding) to central WCSL partners and/or other ECB partners. Sponsorship guidelines detailing the sponsorship and other commercial rights which WCSL Hosts are permitted to grant to their partners will be published well in advance of the inaugural season and ECB will be able provide guidance and advice to WCSL Hosts about optimum packaging of their team commercial rights. WCSL Hosts will need to generate additional income streams to secure their longer term financial viability and bidders will be required to detail how they would bring in additional revenue through the form of partnerships, sponsorships or other routes (third party grants / value in kind). 8

9 4. Sustainability Marketing The ability of the WCSL Host to create and deliver a great customer experience for all spectators to inspire long-lasting repeat engagement with the game will be of paramount importance. WCSL Hosts will therefore be required to provide details of, among other things: their projected minimum attendance numbers per match for 2016 along with their ticket pricing policy and a ticket-sales plan for the season (including details of any community ticket programmes that the WCSL Host plans to run); clear and measurable objectives to recruit and grow this fan base, identifying who within the WCSL Host will be responsible for driving attendances and including the steps that WCSL Hosts would take to increase attendance in future seasons and how their ticket pricing policy and sales plan would support this; plans for regular and relevant communication with the fans and local community; any activation (on match-days and around match-days) or initiatives relating to spectators, players, match officials, the media and commercial partners; and existing or envisaged marketing resource (either within the WCSL Host or an external agency) to deliver the marketing plans Media The WCSL will offer the best opportunity for increased media interest and coverage of women s cricket outside of the England international team. A bidder s media plan will therefore need to contain details of: local media outlets (press, radio & TV) and the current relationships or partnerships with them; and digital channels which are currently in place and/or plans to develop new digital and social media assets. 9

10 5. Facilities WCSL Hosts are required to identify a primary home ground and evidence that they have an unfettered right to use that ground (and/or any named reserve ground) for the purposes of staging WCSL matches in the entire period. WCSL Hosts will also be required to have in place an appropriate level of public liability insurance and other relevant insurances. 5.1 Ground location Each bidder will be required to provide details of: the geographical and population size of the catchment area (being a 45 minute travel distance of both the primary and reserve ground); and local transport links (access from motorway, major roads, railway lines) for any proposed venue(s). 5.2 Venue Requirements WCSL Hosts will be required to outline provision for the following at any proposed ground(s) (temporary facilities being acceptable but would require detailed discussion with the ECB): Player and match officials facilities (e.g. changing rooms / player treatment rooms) Spectator seating (including details of the number of seats, if any, under cover) Toilet facilities (number of urinals / WC / hand wash basins) Catering facilities Disabled spectator facilities First aid provision (onsite provision and details of local accident and emergency department) Scoreboard(s) Internet and wifi provision 5.3 Pitch Requirements It is expected that at any proposed ground(s), WCSL Hosts will follow the ECB Recommended Guidelines for the construction, preparation and maintenance of cricket pitches and outfields at all levels of the game at: 10

11 5. Facilities It is essential to the vision and objectives of the Women s Cricket Super League that each WCSL Host actively seeks to prepare the best quality cricket pitch that it can for each WCSL match that it stages. Key points include: For the duration of the match, the whole surface of the pitch should be completely dry, firm and true providing good carry and even bounce throughout The outfield should provide a fast and true surface for the ball to run without deviation and should be firm enough to provide a good and safe foot hold for the fielder. Covering the pitch each WCSL Host will be required to make every effort to comply with the ECB guidance provided for Championship and other First Class matches (see the above ECB Recommended Guidelines for the construction, preparation and maintenance of cricket pitches and outfields ). 5.4 Welcoming Club Environment It is expected that WCSL Hosts will create an inclusive and accessible culture within the club that embraces the local community and inspires them to choose cricket. The WCSL Host will be required to outline how they will provide an environment which ensures all individuals (playing members, non-playing members and spectators) are viewed as a vital asset for the long term success of the WCSL Host. This could include but is not limited to club membership schemes, junior programmes and club facilities. 5.5 Media and Broadcast Facilities It is the aim of ECB that the introduction of the WCSL provides a platform for increased coverage for the women s game (whether through digital or print media, television, radio or otherwise). The professional presentation of the venue is important in this regard. It is important that venues can provide the opportunity for an excellent match day experience for both spectators attending in person and those viewing on television. Therefore, as a minimum, each venue should have the capability to host and provide the necessary infrastructure for the ECB s broadcast partners to cover each match. 5.6 Training Facilities Each WCSL Host will be required to provide details of their primary training facility (both indoor and outdoor), together with: Number of nets available (indoor / outdoor / grass) Access to gym facilities Medical facilities Staff offices Meeting rooms IT facilities 11