Yorkshire County Cricket Club have today welcomed ECB's report on Racial Equality in Cricket with its "Clean Bowl Racism" logo and the work of the Study Group which included Mike Atkins, Chairman of Yorkshire's Black and Ethnic Minority Forum established ten years ago and which has played such an important part in the development of cricket in the Broad Acres.

There will of course now be a process of consultation within the game in order to determine the best way forward. However, Yorkshire already has in place a number of initiatives which begin to address the various issues.

The County Club has adopted a wide range of measures aimed at identifying and developing the cricketing ability of all black and ethnic minority young players in order to give them every opportunity of going on to play for the county at the highest level. At the end of August a very successful Asian Coaching Clinic was staged at Headingley when more than ninety aspiring young cricketers attended for assessment by the County's senior coaching staff. Five local boys have been directed through to the "Pathways to Excellence Scheme" whilst two others have been invited for winter net sessions. Having been identified as a budding Shoaib Akhtar, eight year old Kasir Maroof from Beeston in Leeds was invited to the Club's final match of the season against Warwickshire to receive a presentation from the President, Sir Lawrence Byford, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Trials day. Within the Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association there are a dozen young Asian lads playing for the various age group teams.

The Club's rules were updated some years ago and now include within the Objects the promotion of coaching schemes to develop the cricketing skills of young players irrespective of race or colour and the development of wider interest in cricket by the promotion of coaching schemes for the encouragement of all young players including ethnic minorities, girls, women and those with disabilities.

Until recent years the County only took on Yorkshire born players so there was a concerted effort to unearth the first Yorkshire born Asian player. This was achieved in 1991 when 16 year old Adil Ditta from Middlesbrough joined the Academy and who was of Pakistan decent. The following year 15 year old wicket keeper Ismail Dawood also joined the Academy having been born in Dewsbury. Neither of these two lads progressed to the professional staff but Ditta joined Leicestershire whilst Dawood has played for Northants, Worcestershire and now Glamorgan.

1992 also saw the mould well and truly broken with the signing of emerging Indian super star Sachin Tendulkar who proved to be an inspired choice. He was followed in 1993-4 by West Indies captain Richie Richardson. Meantime the Club has also played Lesroy Weekes from Montserrat in second eleven matches. Yorkshire's development policy has continued apace and there are now a number of very talented young Asian players in the County Development Squad. Tabassum Bhatti (15) a talented stroke player whose family hails from Rawalpindi plays for Saltaire in the Bradford League and has represented England A at under 15 level. The county also has high hopes for Safraz Mohammed a talented all rounder who is Captain of Yorkshire under 14's.

Another important initiative was the appointment of West Indian Tony Bowry as one of four Cricket Development Officers. Tony looks after the West of Yorkshire but has particular responsibility for Black and Ethnic development. He is therefore heavily involved with the Black and Ethnic Minority Forum which meets at regular intervals with representatives from every area of the County and has established Development Centres in Bradford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Keighley, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield as well as a Summer School at Scarborough.

Five years ago the county invited the Pakistan Quaid-E-Azam League to compete in the White Rose Inter League Trophy for young cricketers - a further initiative aimed at integration.

Yorkshire's Cricket School recently undertook a very successful two week tour to Delhi in India which renewed previous links with the Delhi Blues team who will be visiting England again during next season. The tour party included four Asian lads from the Leeds area, two of whom (Kez Ahmed and Zubair Raje) were members of the County under 16 team last season.

YCA and YCB (Yorkshire Cricket Board) earlier this year published an ANTI-RACISM and RACE EQUALITY policy opposing all forms of racism and supporting a firm commitment to the issues of racial inequality. All member leagues, associations and clubs are expected to adopt the statement and policy into their rules and regulations. Any organisation not doing so is excluded from consideration for any grant application.

Whilst it cannot be said that racism does not exist in Cricket the measures taken by Yorkshire County Cricket Club and YCA/YCB clearly demonstrate that the matter is taken very seriously and every effort is being made to further improve the situation.

It is interesting to note that YCCC Chairman, Keith Moss, recently received a presentation from the Asian Sports Council of UK & The Commonwealth in appreciation of the efforts currently being made in Yorkshire.

With the staging of the Cricket World Cup in England last season the profile of the game has been significantly increased and particularly in the Asian community following Pakistans success in reaching the final. This new interest needs to be developed and Yorkshire will be looking to capitalise on this potential new market in terms of spectators as well as aspiring young cricketers.

YCA/YCB Policy Statement: ANTI-RACISM AND RACE EQUALITY

"The YCA/YCB are opposed to all forms of racism and are committed towards the elimination of all forms of racism at all levels of sport and to address issues of racial inequality.

The YCA/YCB acknowledges that racial disadvantage and discrimination are still present in the sport and are key factors which influence the nature and the extent of the Black and Ethnic Minorities Communities and individuals.

The YCA/YCB acknowledges that the elimination of racial disadvantages and discrimination from cricket is an on-going task and alongside its commitment to working towards the elimination of racism, it will also take positive action to meet the cricketing needs and aspirations of Yorkshire Black and Ethnic Minority communities and individuals.

The YCA/YCB will encourage all affiliated Leagues and organisations to have a strategy in place to inform their membership of their own anti-racism commitment and that existing procedures in place are used to take disciplinary actions against players and officials who racially abuse other players, officials or spectators during matches."

YCA expects all member leagues, associations and clubs to incorporate this statement and policy into their rules and regulations. Clubs / Leagues / Associations not adopting it, will not be eligible for any grant application.

For further information please contact:

The Chief Executive, Chris Hassell (0113) 2033603