As part of the England and Wales Cricket Board's programme to progress racial equality in cricket, 20 of the ECB's 38 County Boards will be holding Forums for Ethnic Minorities in October this year. A National Forum at Lord's will follow these meetings on 14 November 2001 when representatives from the 20 County Board meetings will be invited to attend.

ECB Special Projects Manager, Terry Bates, who leads the ECB Racial Equality policy is confident the meetings will lead to a better understanding, both by the ECB and by ethnic minorities, of the issues involved in ensuring racial equality and equal opportunity.

"The forums are being held in those counties where there are significant ethnic minority communities. In order to progress racial equality in cricket it is essential to seek the views of ethnic minorities in a nation-wide consultation process. The Asian and Caribbean communities, in particular, have an important role to play in cricket's future, not only as players but as coaches, umpires and administrators.

"We are already making progress in this area, examples of which are the successful ethnic minority specific coach education courses held in Nottingham and Essex, and the response to an increase in coaching in inner city schools across the country."

The ECB has achieved the Preliminary Level Standard of the 'Achieving Racial Equality in Sport' scheme, supported by the Government and the Commission for Racial Equality and administered by Sport England and Sporting Equals. The ECB anticipates achieving the Intermediate and Advanced levels by the end of 2002.

© ECB