Europe Participation Pathways

ICC Participation Pathway Guide

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has produced a new resource aimed at assisting Associate and Affiliate Members develop sustainable domestic participation pathways.

The attached Guide falls in line with the Pepsi ICC Development Programme's strategic objective of significantly increasing the number of participants in our Great Sport around the world. The Guide is also available on the ICC website and can be used by Member staff, volunteers, board members and other partners.

The Participation Pathway Guide provides Members with a tool to take stock of their current participation model, as well as providing ideas to enhance this model in the future.

Please take the time to look through the different aspects of the guide, and then use it in your quest to significantly grow the game in your country. If you have any further queries regarding the Guide or your participation strategy in general, please contact Chris Porter Regional Development Officer chris.porter@icc-europe.org
Lifestyle Cricket in Europe

Lifestyle Cricket is a fairly new concept in Europe however some Member Countries are already delivering different formats such as Beach Cricket, Indoor Cricket and Twenty20 Cricket.
In relation to the ICC's Development Strategy 2011-2015; increasing participation is one of the key objectives. Lifestyle Cricket can help to introduce and develop cricket which can 'sign post' players to the formal or traditional formats of the game which will hopefully lead to lifetime involvement within Cricket.

Another benefit of Lifestyle Cricket is based around Health and Well Being. Below are the official physical activity guidelines from the World Health Organisation (2011).

Recommended levels of physical activity for children aged 5 - 17 years:

In order to improve cardio respiratory and muscular fitness, bone health, and cardiovascular and metabolic health biomarkers:
* Children and youth aged 5-17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
* Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health benefits.
* Most of the daily physical activity should be aerobic (running, walking). Vigorous-intensity activities should be incorporated, including those that strengthen muscle and bone*, at least 3 times per week.

Recommended levels of physical activity for adults aged 18-64 years
In order to improve cardio respiratory and muscular fitness, bone health, reduce the risk of health related disorders (e.g. Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes), and depression:

* Adults aged 18-64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity.
* Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration.
* For additional health benefits, adults should increase their moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes per week, or engage in 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.
* Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week.For further information please visit the WHO Website Site: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_recommendations/en/index.html

From the above information outlined by the World Health Organization Lifestyle Cricket can have a significant impact on physical activity levels which can have positive outcomes for a lot of people in Europe. Lifestyle Cricket is also a great way to engage with new people which will help to expand cricket globally.

Lifestyle Cricket can vary from country to country, below are some ideas:
* Snow Cricket
* Twenty 20
* Beach Cricket
* Over 50s Cricket
* Holiday Cricket
* Business / Corporate Cricket
* Community Cricket
* Family Cricket
* Parents Cricket
* Indoor Cricket
* Warehouse Cricket
* Garden Cricket
* Skills Cricket
* Catch Cricket

The basic principles of Lifestyle Cricket are below:
* Minimal amount of time to set up and play
* Minimal amount of equipment
* Simple and easy to understand
* Inclusion for all ages
* Fun and Enjoyment
* Meeting new people and be involved with Cricket
* Physical Activity Benefits
* Social and Psychological Benefits
* Developing groups and communities

In today's world Health and Well Being are significant factors and the increase in Obesity and other health related disorders are increasing. Lifestyle Cricket can play an essential role to introduce Physical Activity to people's lives. Lifestyle Cricket can also become an essential part to a Player / Participant Pathway which can lead to lifetime involvement which is key objective.