Guernsey Cricket says it has marked a significant period of progress over the past 12 months, as the organisation “continues to strengthen its structure, expand participation, and build a sustainable future for the game across the island”.
Since the appointment of Chief Operating Officer Richard Headington just over 12 months ago, the focus has been on establishing firm foundations both on and off the field, with a clear emphasis on long-term development rather than short-term outcomes.
Over the past year, Guernsey Cricket says it has successfully secured 14 new sponsors, reflecting growing confidence in the direction of the organisation and providing vital investment into all areas of the game.
A central priority has been the continued development of a clear and sustainable player pathway. This has been achieved through the growth of the Titan Wealth Future Stars programme, which introduces young children to the game, alongside the launch last summer of the Clicksmith Boundary Breakers initiative for Under 7s and Under 9s.
Pictured: (L) Ilze van der Westhuizen, Cricket Development Manager for Guernsey Cricket, and Mourant’s John Lewis.
The Mourant Junior Cricket League, which is open to 9- to 15-year-old boys and girls, has now commenced, creating the opportunity to play hard ball cricket for 9 weeks in the summer. The addition of an Under 15 representative girls’ side, to the already established Under 11 to Under 19 boys’ sides, has been a huge step forward in girls’ cricket for the island.
Off the back of this, structured tours across all age groups to the UK and abroad will increase opportunities for player development and progression.
Together, these initiatives form a joined-up pathway designed to support players from their first experience of cricket through to representative and international level.
In addition, within the last 12 months, Guernsey Cricket has successfully launched the Women’s Super League with thanks to financial support from Specsavers; the first women’s cricket competition in the island.
Alongside programme development, Guernsey Cricket has made significant investment in its people. A key area of progress has been the continued strengthening of the coaching structure, with the addition of new coaching personnel and specialist support working alongside the existing team.
This has enhanced both the depth and quality of coaching available, ensuring that players across all age groups benefit from a more consistent and professional environment.
The integration of experienced coaches, such as Ilze van der Westhuzien, the recently appointed Cricket Development Manager, who has joined Guernsey Cricket from South Africa, together with those developing within the system, is a deliberate strategy aimed at building long-term capability within Guernsey Cricket.
In addition to a significant increase in new young coaches over recent months, the Guernsey Association of Cricket Officials has also seen an increase in new umpires for the 2026 season.
At senior level, the organisation has also secured new key sponsorships to support the Senior Men’s National Team, further strengthening the platform for international competition and performance.
A key milestone over the past 12 months has been the successful migration of Guernsey Cricket’s financial systems to a new administration platfom. This transition has provided the organisation with a far clearer, real-time understanding of its financial position, improving transparency, reporting accuracy, and overall financial control.
As a result, the Board and executive team are now better equipped to make informed, strategic decisions, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that the long-term sustainability of the game in Guernsey is supported by strong and reliable financial governance.
There has also been the successful Cricket Equipment Recycling Initiative that saw a considerable quantity of bats, pads and gloves refurbished and distributed both locally and in Kenya.
Mr Headington said: “The past 12 months have been about putting the right structures in place to support cricket in Guernsey for the long term. That means investing in youth development, strengthening our coaching provision, increasing the number of our officials and building strong relationships with sponsors and partners.
“Just as importantly, we are continuing to develop the people within our system, both players and coaches, to ensure that we have the depth and capability required to sustain success over time.
“Whilst not all progress is immediately visible, the work being done now is designed to deliver sustainable success across the whole game, from grassroots participation through to international representation.”
Looking ahead, Guernsey Cricket will continue to develop its programmes, support its players, coaches and volunteers, and enhance opportunities for participation and performance across the island.