In partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation are proud to launch the Early Engagement Programme 2026/27 for players aged 9-12 in Derbyshire.
The programme for boys and girls, aged 9-12, will form the entry point leading into the Derbyshire CCC performance pathway starting at U13s. The EEP provide a fun, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate cricket experience for girls & boys aged 9–12, laying the groundwork for progression through the Early Engagement Programme (EEP) and into County Age Group (CAG) squads at U13.
The programme aims to do the following:
Observations will take place in 2 blocks, stage 1 will consist of 2 sessions in September 2026 for new players who haven’t been involved in the EEP before. Successful applicants will go through to stage 2 which will consist of 2 further observation sessions taking place between October and Christmas. Those selected after stage 2 will train together as part of a 10-week winter training programme, before embarking on a summer match-play programme within the 2027 season.
Players involved in the EEP during 2026 will progress to Stage 2 Observations and will be contacted separately to register.
The programme will be delivered across four centres at each age group, geographically spread across the county, making the programme accessible and reducing travel time. Venues will be confirmed after the closing date for registrations.
The programme focuses on developing core cricket skills, confidence, game awareness, and resilience, providing a positive and fun experience of cricket. If you are interested in developing your skills and have ambitions to progress onto the boys or girls CAG programme, we would love to see you at one of our observation sessions.
There will be four centres at each of the following age groups for boys and girls, each taking up to 16 players per age group per centre:
Registrations are open to all. The registration deadline for observations for the 2026/27 programme is Sunday 30th August 2026.
Players involved in the EEP during 2026 do not need to register for Stage 1 Observations and will be contacted separately regarding Stage 2 Observations
All observation sessions are free to attend throughout. For those selected for the winter programme, there will be a cost of £120 to cover the full calendar year. This will include 10 winter training sessions and all match days during the summer.
We do not want cost to be a barrier to accessing the programme and support is available to those who may need it through our Access to Cricket Grant:
Support is available to those who may need it through our Access to Cricket Grant
Apply nowOur firm commitment is that no-one will be prevented from accessing our programme due to cost!
The Early Engagement Programme is a pre-pathway programme in partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Players wishing to join the EEP should NOT currently be engaged with the other counties simultaneously. This includes being part of an ongoing trials or observation process at another county. We must ask that all players wishing to be observed for our programme, that are presently engaged with another county in any way, withdraw from their programme before seeking to be observed for our own to avoid conflicts. This ensures opportunities are not unfairly taken away from other players by players who are seeking to gain an offer to go elsewhere.
Vice versa, once engaged within our programme, we would ask that players are not registered with other pathways until communicated to us at an appropriate point for release. We are in continuing dialogue with other Pathways around this and check for multiple registrations prior to our observations.
Registration for this years Boys EEP observations has now closed.
Please contact Emma Thatcher if you require further information or to discuss the Early Engagement Programme.
Email: [email protected]
Use this button to register for a girls EEP observation or for more information or to discuss the programme, please contact Emma Thatcher:
Email: [email protected]
The early engagement programme is designed to be an entry level programme to the player pathway for children of between the age of 9-12. Cricket experience will vary from children who may have played very little competitive cricket, potentially taking part in Dynamos through to players at age 11-12 who have played regular junior league cricket. The programme will seek to develop key technical skills in young players, providing them with the fundamentals to progress through the pathway at age 13.
No, the programme will focus on developing fundamental skills and transition players into hardball cricket. Hardball experience will become more important at the U12’s age group, however it isn’t essential. We also welcome children from other sports who may have little to no cricket experience.
Players are welcome to bring their own cricket equipment; however, our team of coaches will have equipment available to use during the sessions.
The Early Engagement Programme (EEP) is a pre-Pathway programme within Derbyshire County Cricket Club's wider talent development system. It is designed to support and develop young players before they enter the formal DCCC Pathway and serves as the first step in the player development journey. The programme is delivered by the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation on behalf of DCCC and is supported by both the Girls' and Boys' Heads of Talent Pathways.
The centres will be spread across fours areas of the County.
We are in the process of confirming venues and these will be communicated upon invite to observation sessions. Players will be invited to the centre nearest to their home to help reduce travel time and associate costs.
Yes, you will still need to register. However, if your child was involved in the EEP for 2025/26, they will progress straight to Stage 2.
