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 About Us and League History

The Bath and District Youth Cricket League was formed in 1978 by 6 Clubs from the city of Bath and surrounding area seeking to provide organised and competitive cricket for local boys. 

Leading officers and cricket lovers of Bath, Bathford, Hinton Charterhouse Hampset, Midsomer Norton and Purnells cricket clubs created an under 17 League and Cup competition to play its inaugural season in 1978. 

From those humble beginnings of one division of six teams, the League has grown significantly, none more so than over the last decade, which is reflective of the strength of grassroots youth cricket in the Bath area.  

The League initially only ran competitions for Under 17s and it was only in 1984 that an Under 14 competition was introduced. This proved an immediate success and the following year Under 15 and Under 13 age group competitions replaced the Under 14 competition and aligned itself. 

In 1996 Under 11 Cricket was introduced to great success and whilst the change in young culture has seen the original Under 17 competition no longer remain viable, this void has been replaced by weekend development teams and the introduction of young players into the adult game much earlier.     

Today, the League boasts 26 Member Clubs entering 94 teams in competitions in 2008. These are spread across 9 separate divisions and three age groups of Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15. 

In addition to organised competitions in these age groups, there are regular Under 9 Kwik Cricket tournaments played between Member Clubs in a more suitable informal format. 

The League has maintained the principles upon which it was established despite the phenomenal growth and the focus on participation in the beautiful game of cricket and development of players and character is paramount. That said, the "graduates" of the BDYCL have gone on to represent their Clubs at the highest level, their counties at youth and senior levels and none least that Marcus Trescothick of Somerset CCC and England.        

Over the years the League has been fortunate to have commercial partners such as Ernest Ireland/Mowlem. Jackson Rudd, Roger Bird Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Thrings and Long. David Naish and to this current day - Target Consulting Group, one of the fastest growing professional firms in the country with its headquarters in Bath.  

More information regarding the leagues history can be found in Playing and Administration Archives.