BCF Junior Criteria are explained below,

  • What is the Junior Criteria ? Which year onwards it is applicable?

Starting in 2015, All clubs playing in 1st division must have a junior section with a team playing in the league, or else a junior initiative in the local community. Even if there are only 6 players it is enough to be a team and play in the junior league. The junior players must be of the correct age to play. It means

U17 league, all players must be under 17 years of age on 1st September 2014.

U15 league, all players must be under 15 years of age on 1st September 2014.

U13 league, all players must be under 13 years of age on 1st September 2014.

U11 league, all players must be under 11 years of age on 1st September 2014.

A team can have a junior section of small children (KWIK cricketers). So long as they have regular training which is verified by BCF, the club shall qualify for junior initiative according to BCF rule for participation in 1st division. We expect these children to progress to play in the U11 league in the following years.

In case a club does not have a junior section, the club must make a junior initiative in order to qualify for membership in 2015. A junior initiative may be giving training in schools, or community areas either inside or outdoor according to the club’s own decision.

Clubs may expect the Belgium Junior Development Coach to support the set-up of the initiative. However, clubs must provide own members for the coaching and running of the event.

A club will not be deemed as organizing a qualifying initiative in case the National coach organizes and performs the training without members of the club present. A minimum of 4 events must be held in 2015 to be completed before the End of Season Meeting in 2015 (end of October). Photos of the event must be sent to the BCF Manager to upload onto the BCF website for promotion as well as proof.

  • In 2015, Division 1 there are 9 teams. Does all of them must satisfy the Junior Criteria ?

Yes, all 9 clubs playing in 1st division next year must have a junior initiative or have a team playing in the junior leagues. If not they will automatically be relegated to 2nd division at the end of the season.

  • Why only Division 1 teams have to satisfy this ?

In future BCF intends that all clubs playing league cricket in Belgium should support development of the game with junior section. This year we start with Division 1 clubs who will set the example, but in future we will role out this requirement to lower divisions.

  • What happens if a team cannot satisfy the criteria laid out in the year 2015 ?

In case a team playing in 1st division next year cannot provide a junior team or junior initiative, it will automatically be relegated at the end of the season to lower division.

  • As a division 1 team, lets say we have 4-5 Junior club members of different age. Can we allow these Junior members of different age groups to join with other Junior Club team ? In that case, do we satisfy the criteria ?

Two clubs can combine to create one junior section and one team. But both clubs must contribute players and coaching, umpiring and scoring for the juniors matches. If only one club provides everything we will consider that the other club has not fulfilled the requirements for 1st division membership and it will be relegated at the end of 2015 season.

Any questions , contact BCF manager at manager@cricket-belgium.com