For Parents and Families

Developing Young Cricketers in a Safe and Supportive Environment

At Dedham Cricket Club, we provide structured coaching and competitive cricket for boys and girls aged 6-15. Our qualified coaches focus on skill development, teamwork and enjoyment in a welcoming club setting.

"I love seeing every tiny improvement from session-to-session, and helping our juniors to consider for themselves how they're developing each time. For me, the most important things that Chris and I try and instil in our young players are a sense of fun (we don't want players taking things way too seriously at too young an age), a real feeling of being part of a great team, and an understanding of the basic skills needed to play this game we all love, in that order"

Jim Wilkinson (ECB-qualified Coach)

Structured Coaching for Each Age Group

Our junior section is ever-growing and the aim is to provide a clear development pathway, from age 6 up to our Under 15 age group, and then on to our 1st and Friendly XI sides..

Our juniors benefit from qualified and DBS-checked coaches, structured weekly training sessions, competitive match opportunities and progressive skills development.

We aim to balance performance, participation and enjoyment at every level.

Your Child's Safety is Our Priority

Dedham Cricket Club operates in line with ECB safeguarding guidance.

  • All junior coaches are DBS-checked
  • A designated Welfare Officer is available to parents
  • Clear codes of conduct for players, parents and coaches
  • First aid provision at training and matches

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all young players

WHY CHOOSE DEDHAM CRICKET CLUB?

  • Established, community-based Club
  • Clear pathway from junior to senior Cricket
  • Family-friendly environment
  • Competitive, yet supportive, culture

Information about our Junior Membership and Match Fees

Junior Membership includes:

  • Weekly coaching sessions throughout the Summer
  • Match eligibility
  • Club Insurance
  • Access to Club facilities
  • Provision of kit and equipment, where required

Our Annual Junior Membership Fee is £30

Individual Match Fees are £5 per person, per game

We welcome new players throughout the season, subject to availability

Junior Cricket Kit Guide for Parents

Starting Cricket should be exciting - not expensive or confusing.

At Dedham Cricket Club, we aim to make the process straightforward for families. This guide outlines what your child needs, what can wait, and how to choose the appropriate equipment.

Importantly, we do have club kit available for use at training sessions and in junior matches, particularly for new players who are just starting out.

What does my child need to begin?

For their first few sessions, your child does not need full cricket kit. To attend a trial or early training sessions, we recommend:

  • Comfortable sports clothing
  • Trainers (or rubber-studded trainers for grass)
  • A water bottle

We provide:

  • Bats for training
  • Helmets
  • Training balls
  • Some protective equipment

There is no expectation that new players arrive fully-equipped

When should we buy equipment?

We generally suggest waiting until:

  • Your child has attended several sessions
  • They are confident they wish to continue
  • A coach has advised on appropriate sizing

Buying too early can lead to incorrect sizing or unnecessary expense

Our coaches are happy to advise before any purchases are made

Choosing the right cricket bat

The most important piece of personal kit is a bat - and correct sizing matters more than brand

Bat Size

Cricket bats are sized by height and age group (eg. Size 3, 4, 5, 5, Harrow)

As a guide:

  • Ages 7-9: Size 3-4
  • Ages 9-11: Size 4-5
  • Ages 11-13: Size 5-6
  • Ages 13-15: Size 6 or Harrow

However, height is more reliable than age.

A correctly sized bat should:

  • Allow the child to stand upright comfortably
  • Reach roughly to the top of the hip when placed beside them
  • Feel light enough to lift repeatedly without strain (we suggest your child holding it, outstretched for 10 seconds as a good test)

An oversized bat can hinder technique and development. If unsure, bring your child to training and we can assist with sizing.

Essential Protective Equipment

For match play (particularly hard-ball cricket), players will eventually require:

  • Batting pads
  • Batting gloves
  • Abdominal protector ("Box")
  • Helmet (correctly fitted and compliant with current safety standards)

We do have some protective equipment available for shared use, particularly for younger age groups. However, as players progress, most families choose to purchase personal protective items for comfort and hygiene.

Footwear

For junior cricket:

  • Trainers are suitable for early sessions
  • Rubber-studded cricket shoes are helpful once playing matches regularly
  • Metal spikes are generally unnecessary for younger age groups

Comfort and grip are more important than specialist branding

Clothing

Match clothing requirements vary by age group. Typically:

  • White cricket trousers
  • Club shirt (available via the club)

We will provide clear guidance before any purchase is required. There is no need to buy match clothing before your child has settled into the programme.

Keeping Costs Sensible

Cricket equipment can range widely in price. For junior players:

  • Mid-range bats are more than sufficient
  • Expensive "professional" models are unnecessary
  • Growing children will outgrow kit regularly

We encourage parents to:

  • Seek coach advice before buying
  • Consider second-hand options
  • Share kit within families where appropriate


Our aim is to keep cricket accessible and affordable. If you are unsure, just ask! We understand that many parents are new to cricket. Our junior coaches, Chris and Jim, are always happy to check bat size, advise on protective equipment, suggest suitable retailers, confirm what is (and is not) required. Please do not feel pressured to purchase equipment immediately.

What type of competitive matches do our juniors play?

Over the Winter, our more experienced juniors are entered into the Colchester Indoor League competition. This competition sees teams of 6 compete at the Northern Gateway Sports Centre, near Colchester United's stadium.

Players bat in pairs, four overs per pair, and score runs for hitting the wall or ceiling and running between the wickets. Bowlers have a maximum of three overs each, and the team deduct runs from the opposition's total each time they take a wicket.

In the Summer, our Under 15 side plays in the North Essex Eagles Cricket League, with home and away fixtures against teams in the local area.

Games are hard-ball and 20 overs long per side. Fixtures are generally played on weekday evenings, starting at 6pm.

members nameclub role
FIRST NAME *
SURNAME *
EMAIL *
PHONE
MESSAGE *
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thanks for your message!

We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.