EEP - Early Engagement Programme U11-U12

Junior County Cricket is Changing!
The ECB will be introducing a new process for identifying and developing talented younger cricketers from this November.

Traditional County sides at Under 10s, 11s and 12s will be replaced by what is being called ‘The Early Engagement Programme (EEP)’ from November (2025). County teams, as we all know them, will start at Under 13s and the ECB will continue to run National Competitions at U14s, 16s and 18s for boys and 15s and 18s for girls.

The ECB has given Counties a framework for the EEP along with some guiding principles about how to run it.
• The EEP is a coaching, training and match play programme for U10s to 12s for winter and summer
• Matches will mostly not be against other Counties, so will be intra-squad fixtures and will mostly be run by Coaches
• Integrate more beginners with athletic potential into the programme and diversify entry routes
• Work to always enhance access by keeping it affordable, local, and on a level playing field bearing in mind different maturity levels and exposure to cricket coaching and education.
• Try and seriously increase the numbers of children
• The cost of the EEP will be heavily subsidised through Herefordshire Cricket Ltd via the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Ed McCabe