Hertfordshire Cricket

Below is an important update on the future of club accreditation and what it means for current Clubmark clubs in Hertfordshire.

Introducing the New ECB Accredited Club Status

The current Clubmark scheme will be succeeded by a new ECB Accredited Club status, designed to better support and recognise thriving, community-focused clubs.

• A pilot phase will run in 2026 with a select group of clubs
• A full launch is planned for 2027

If your club achieved Clubmark accreditation between 1 January 2022 and 30 September 2025, your accreditation will remain valid throughout the 2026 season.

No action is required from your club regarding accreditation for the coming year.

If your club’s accreditation lapsed prior to 2022, your club may be eligible to join the 2026 pilot programme. Please contact Dominic Chatfield for more information.

Although your Clubmark status remains active for the 2026 season, clubs are encouraged to continue upholding the high standards that define accredited organisations, including:

• Strong governance
• Robust safeguarding
• Responsible financial management

Maintaining these standards helps ensure a safe, inclusive, and well-run club environment and will support a smooth transition to the new accreditation system.

The pilot programme is designed to test and refine the new accreditation framework.

• Participation is open only to clubs without current Clubmark accreditation
• Accreditation levels within the pilot will reflect the breadth of each club’s playing offer, centred on essential principles of good governance

More information on the steps to transition to the new system will be shared during 2026, ahead of the full launch in 2027.

If you have any immediate queries, please contact Dominic Chatfield, Head of Participation, Hertfordshire Cricket Ltd.