There were a number of significant changes at the 2025 BCEW AGM, here’s a summary of those changes.
Teams
Staffordshire Wolves have joined both the BCEW National League & the BCEW Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Cup for the first time.
Surrey VICC have taken a step back and will only play in the BCEW Southern Development League & BCEW David Townley Memorial Twenty20 Cup in 2026.
Cheshire Cobras have joined both the BCEW Midland Development League & the BCEW Midland and North Development Twenty20 Cup for the first time.
Bradford & District are returning to the BCEW David Townley Memorial Twenty20 Cup and will replace Dorset County VICT in that competition.
BCEW Committee
John Garbett has become BCEW’s Chairman, he replaces Colin Baxter who has retired from the role after nine years.
John will also continue in his Development Director role whilst Colin continues as Governance Director.
Paul Toplis has been elected as BCEW’s Treasurer after holding that role since February as a co-opted member of the committee, following Amanda Large’s retirement after nine years in post.
All Competitions Playing Rules
B1 players with no real eyes will no longer be exempt from wearing shades
The call for a safety wide was confirmed as Wide Dead Ball as was used in 2025.
Specific Development Level Playing Rules
In all development level cricket instead of changing ends every over the fielding side will now change ends after every 5 overs, it’s hoped this will speed up matches to aid with travel on Sundays.
In the Midland and North Development level competitions only there will now be a 20 yard fielding circle in which only 2 mid or high partial fielders may stand, excluding the bowler and keeper. Also in those competitions the fielder exclusion zone will be extended to 36 inches from the edge of the strip.
Blind Cricket Regulations
The requirements for joining the BCEW National League have been relaxed slightly, an applicant will now need to have fielded 16 players, in possession of a valid sight test, during the previous season rather than the previous figure of 18.
Constitutional Change
The BCEW committee were granted a power, alongside their power to deal with errors and ambiguities, to take any action needed on grounds of safety or other emergency.
