Job Title: Club Development Officer – Junior Cricket Lead

Reports to: Head of Clubs & League and Womens & Girls

Responsible for: N/A

Contract: Permanent, full time

Hours: Minimum of 37 hours per week

Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum

Location: The Cooper Associates County Ground – Somerset Cricket Foundation, with travel.

Closing date: Monday 14^th July

The Role 

You will play a key role in inspiring a lifelong love of cricket by supporting clubs and leagues across Somerset. With a lead focus on junior cricket, you will nurture inclusive, safe, and vibrant environments - developing people, strengthening pathways, and helping communities thrive through the power of cricket. With the aim of strengthening, developing and growing a thriving network of sustainable and well supported clubs.

Main Responsibilities:

Club & League Development Support

• Support clubs in areas of governance, funding, safeguarding, and club development planning.
• Help clubs utilise ECB tools and frameworks (e.g., Clubmark, Safe Hands, Club Development Framework).
• Collaborate with league administrators and volunteers to develop sustainable competition structures and player pathways.
• Deliver club forums, workshops and mentoring opportunities that foster networking and peer support.
• Support the development Women and Girls section across the network.

Lead Area - Junior Cricket

• Lead the planning, coordination, and development of junior cricket festivals, KO Cup and related activities across Somerset to ensure a high-quality playing experience.
• Support the review and ongoing improvement of junior competition structures to enhance player retention, development, and enjoyment.
• Collaborate with league administrators, clubs, and volunteers to ensure competitions reflect the evolving needs of players and the wider cricket community.
• Promote and embed best practice in junior coaching, team management, safeguarding, and volunteer support across all levels of junior cricket.
• Deliver an annual Junior Cricket Forum to gather insights, encourage collaboration, and share new ideas and innovations.
• Develop clear and accessible progression pathways that support the transition of junior players into adult cricket and wider community programmes.
• Work closely with schools and community groups to build strong links that support the transition of young players into local cricket clubs and community programmes.
• Support the delivery of national programmes in partnership with the Clubs and Leagues Manager to maximise participation and impact at the grassroots level.
• Deliver activations at Somerset County Cricket Club and support other events to promote Somerset Cricket Foundation.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of the Young Leaders Programme to develop the next generation of coaches, officials, and volunteers.

Strategic Alignment & Collaboration

• Ensure volunteer and club development work aligns with the ECB’s Inspiring Generations strategy and SCF's 2025–28 strategy—especially around “dynamic people” and “vibrant communities".
• Work closely with ECB, Somerset County Cricket Club, and other national and local bodies to implement programmes and share best practice.
• Support the transition of players and volunteers across formats (e.g., junior to adult cricket, community to club settings).
• Work closely with the wider team to deliver community and schools programmes that support the development of the club network.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track and report on volunteer recruitment, retention, and satisfaction metrics.
• Provide regular updates to the Clubs and Leagues Manager and SCF Board.
• Contribute to funding and grant reports with outcomes and impact data.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of club and league cricket structures
• Knowledge of ECB frameworks (e.g. Clubmark, Safe Hands, All Stars/Dynamos Cricket, Club Development Framework).
• Awareness of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion in community sport.
• Understanding of junior cricket development and player pathway models.
• Familiarity with volunteer management, club governance, and funding streams.
• Knowledge of the ECB’s Inspiring Generations Strategy and relevant SCF priorities.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with volunteers, clubs, leagues, and partners.
• Organisational and time management skills - able to manage multiple projects, events, and deadlines.
• Confident presenter and facilitator of workshops, forums, and training sessions.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team.
• Strong digital literacy, including use of Microsoft Office, online platforms, and digital communication tools.
• Problem-solving and a proactive, solution-focused mindset.
• Ability to monitor, evaluate, and report on programme outcomes.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience working or volunteering in a club or community sport setting.
• Delivering development programmes or supporting grassroots clubs.
• Working with volunteers and/or in a role involving partnership or stakeholder engagement.
• Planning and delivering events, workshops, or competitions (preferably in a sports context).
• Experience supporting junior sport, especially transitions from school to club environments.
• Track record of promoting inclusion and engaging underrepresented groups in sport is highly valued.

Key Contacts:

Internal: Managing Director, Board of Trustees, Programme Managers, SCF Wider team

External: Clubs, Schools, ECB staff, SCCC staff, Active Partnerships, Councils

Somerset Cricket Foundation Values

• Togetherness
• Nurture
• Dedication
• Integrity
• Growth

Safeguarding Statement

Somerset Cricket Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment process all roles are subject to an enhanced or standard DBS check (as appropriate to the role) and two satisfactory references.

We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our services. Somerset Cricket Foundation is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, simply complete our application form below. Please provide as much detail as possible in your application responses.

If you need further advice or information about the role, process, or require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply, please contact Colette (Colette.Gooding@somersetcricketfoundation.org) or Matt (matthew.counsell@somersetcricketfoundation.org). 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange an interview shortly after the application window closes on Monday 14^th July.