ECB launches national strategy at first-ever National Convention

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will launch its National Strategy for cricket at its first-ever National Convention at Woldingham School, near Croydon, south London, on Thursday 5 April.

The National Convention will bring together, for the first time, all the key stakeholders in the game in England and Wales in order to develop and share an understanding of the game's future. Representatives from the 38 county boards, the 18 first-class Counties, volunteers, players, broadcasters, sponsors, politicians and Sport England, will gather in a manifestation of the ECB's "One Game" approach to developing cricket.

The National Strategy will establish the framework by which cricket will be developed and progressed "from playground to Test arena". It identifies seven specific steps on the development ladder, with a strategic plan and targets set for each step.

In addition, an exclusive "Question Time" panel will be set up to allow delegates to ask any cricket questions to Lord MacLaurin, Nasser Hussain, Tim Lamb and other representatives of cricket in England and Wales.

Further attractions at the National Convention include the launch of the ECB's Channel 4 Virtual Reality Challenge, in which it is possible to face a "virtual over" from Glenn McGrath at full speed. The VR Challenge this year will tour the country to 26 venues as part of the revamped ECB Kwik Cricket Roadshow.

Finally, attendees will be able to experience the "Development Pathway", through which cricketers are nurtured "from playground to Test arena", and there will be a full demonstration of play-cricket.com, the ECB-endorsed recreational cricket website.

The National Convention begins at 8.45am and finishes at 4.00pm.