Cricket Ireland has developed a new strategic plan for the growth of the sport in Ireland over the coming years.
The sporting body recently received Government approval for a new national 4,000-seater stadium and High-Performance Centre at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.
The stadium is key to Ireland’s ability to co-host the T20 Men’s World Cup in 2030 alongside the UK.
The Strategic Plan 2024-2027 addresses the growth and change experienced within the sport in Ireland over the past decade, adapting to the evolving landscape and embracing the rich diversity of players and fans in Ireland.
Developed following broad regional consultation, the strategy is built around five key pillars: growing the game, performing on the world stage, creating an engaged sport, building strong foundations, and working together.
The plan includes measures aimed at balancing club support with international ambition, with particular focus on areas in the immediate term including the return of a dedicated Club Fund; elevating key domestic competitions to invigorate fan and player engagement; building on Ireland’s cricket infrastructure by developing world-class facilities; and encouragingbroad participation, fair access and equal opportunitiesthrough targeted initiatives aimed at ensuring positive experiences for all.
Key Highlights
- Club Fund: Budget has been allocated to re-establish a dedicated Club Fund, which will assist with small-scale capital and equipment projects and other projects at club level (e.g. inclusion programmes, coaching and more). All details will be shared in late September.
- Inter-Provincial & Evoke Super Series: Cricket Ireland will work closely with Provincial Unions to further elevate the impact and reach of these crucial domestic competitions which are vital for talent identification, talent development, club connection and fan engagement.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Inclusion is essential for the sport’s long-term success. It ensures the game thrives by encouraging broad participation and providing fair access and opportunities for all. Implementing a comprehensive game-wide EDI strategy is a top priority. Key focus areas include promoting gender equality in women’s and girls’ cricket, fostering cultural awareness, and improving inclusive practices through enhanced processes and policies.
- Participation Programmes: Investing in and evolving key participation programmes for children in each province including Smash It and It’s Wicket! to support continued growth at youth level.
- World-class cricket infrastructure: A key priority in our strategic plan is to elevate Ireland’s cricket infrastructure with world-class facilities. As an ICC Full Member, we are committed to delivering multiple projects across the island, including a national cricket stadium in Dublin, recently approved by the Irish Government. Each of these projects is vital for driving the growth of the game across Ireland, particularly as we build towards co-hosting ICC’s Men’s T20 World Cup 2030.
Speaking about the strategy, Brian MacNeice, Chair of the Board of Cricket Ireland, said: “Cricket in Ireland is a vibrant community that unites people with a shared passion for the game.
“This strategy aims to nurture and grow our community and the game, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate, succeed, and thrive in the sport we love.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen remarkable growth, with clubs and facilities at various stages of development.
“Our mission is to provide balanced support to strengthen grassroots operations. Equally, we continue to be ambitious in our goals to perform at the top level and to host world class international cricket.
“To kick off this next phase in our journey, we are launching a strategy roadshow in October in partnership with the Provincial Unions to engage with clubs across Ireland.”
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland, added: “This plan sets us on the path to achieving our vision of becoming a major sport in Ireland and a major nation in cricket.
“The next phase is ensuring cricket is a sport that welcomes and unites players, fans, spectators, and the wider community to deliver the best outcomes, achieve the highest performance standards and inspire a love of the game across Ireland.
“This plan will not only support our grassroots development but will reinforce our position as a country that aspires to develop world-class international teams and deliver fit-for-purpose infrastructure.
“As co-hosts of the T20 Men’s World Cup in 2030, we look forward to welcoming the world’s top teams on the sport’s biggest global stage.”
Photo: At the launch of the Cricket Ireland Strategic Plan are, back row, from left, Evelyn Sunil, Alana Daizell, Fionn Hand, Gaby Lewis, Brian MacNeice Cricket Ireland Chairman , Elaine Nolan, Director of Growth And Strategy and Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland Chief Executive, Cara Murray, Gareth Delaney, Amy Hunter and Arvind Olaganathan, with front row, from left, Abigail Cyril, Thomas Murphy, Jake Bell, Shaurya Puri, Heather Daly, Coco Toomey, Leah Whaley, Murugappa Chidambaram, Sanjana Suresh, Arunachalam Chidambaram at Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile