2021 WCB Junior Leagues round up

It has been an exciting conclusion to the cricket season, with Warwickshire CCC winning the county championship in dramatic style on the final day. The excitement has been replicated in the Warwickshire junior leagues at the end of what can best be described as a challenging season for everyone involved.

The 2021 season started amid much uncertainty as we emerged from lockdown, followed almost immediately by a terrible spell of weather which saw many fixtures postponed. As the weather improved, the next challenge during July and August was the increasing impact of Covid isolations on the availability of players, coaches and officials. Fortunately, the weather was good at the start of September and enabled rearranged league fixtures to be completed in all but three leagues.

We have to acknowledge the hard work and resilience of junior team managers, coaches, parents, club groundstaff and officials in getting these fixtures completed. Warwickshire Cricket Board staff would like to offer thanks and congratulations to all the clubs and teams who have got junior cricket on this summer. WCB Participation and Growth Manager Andy Wyles says, “Clubs have made an outstanding effort given the logistical challenges involved. Thank you to you to everyone for your dedication to junior cricket at a difficult time. Despite all the challenges, there have been some great performances from our young players, and these will be recognised by clubs over the next few weeks in end of season awards. Enjoy the winter break and we look forward to more excellent performances and exciting junior league cricket next season.”

WCB Women & Girls’ Officer Gabby Basketter adds, “It has been wonderful to see increased participation in girls’ cricket across the county, partly due to All Stars, Dynamos and The Hundred but also importantly as a result of investment by clubs and their determination to grow their girls’ sections. The girls’ softball leagues have been very successful this year, and there has also been plenty of opportunity for those girls who wish to progress into hardball cricket.”