Clubs' bulletin no 2 of 2026 - 6 February 

Ball ordering – reminder 
 
Clubs are reminded that the 2026 ball-ordering process is unchanged from last year, and orders should be placed in good time for delivery. The updated link for Reader balls, with our new clubs added, is: https://kookaburra.formstack.com/forms/south_yorkshire_cricket_league. 
 
The link for Oxbridge balls is https://bit.ly/48uROzB (passcode 815743) 
 
Clubs will be invoiced directly by the suppliers, but the balls will be delivered to the League for distribution at the Pre-Season Meeting on Wednesday 8 April 2026, in the usual way, so clubs can ignore the ‘delivery address’ field when ordering. 
 
Fixtures – for action 
 
The deadline for rearranging fixtures has been extended to 16 February. There are still around a dozen games to be finalised, and it is important that these are done as quickly as possible now. Relevant clubs have been reminded. 
 
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Research UK – for information 
 
The wife of our treasurer, Ashley Boothman, along with close friends who volunteer for Alzheimer's Research UK, recently climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge to raise money for the charity. It has a cricket-related link runs4research and we would like to encourage everyone connected with our league to support this very worthwhile cause. 
 
GMA webinar for groundstaff – for action 
 
The GMA along is hosting pre-season webinar for all groundstaff on Thursday 12 February from 7pm. It is free to participate in and there are no restrictions on numbers – see https://www.ycspl.co.uk/_webedit/uploaded-files/All%20Files/Misc/GMA%20webinar%202026.pdf 
 
Oughtibridge scam email - for information 
 
We have been advised by Oughtibridge WMCC that there is a scam email in circulation promoting a fake 50/50 draw purporting to have been set up by their club. This is not the case - there is no such draw - please do not respond to this email and delete it immediately. 
 
Overseas player registration forms – for information 
 
The password on all overseas player registration forms has been updated to – international-2026. 
 
Peter Ratcliffe – for information 
 
We are sorry to announce that former South Yorkshire Cricket Umpires Association chairman and president Peter Ratcliffe has died after a short illness. 
 
Peter was a founding member of the umpires association in South Yorkshire in 1995, serving as its chairman for more than ten years before standing down in 2020. He was the president of the South Yorkshire Cricket Umpires Association until 2023.  
 
Peter began umpiring in 1981, after a playing career that included a lengthy spell at Norton Oaks CC, officiating in the South Riding League and the South Yorkshire Senior Cricket League, before ending his umpiring career in the YCSPL in 2023. He took charge of numerous league finals, including several Whitworth Cup and Mick Savage deciders, as well key regional finals and representative matches. 
 
Peter's funeral will take place at 1.00pm on 2 March 2026 at Babworth Crematorium, Straight Mile, Babworth Road, Babworth, DN22 8FJ. The wake is at Killamarsh Juniors Athletic Club, Sheffield Road, Killamarsh, S21 1ED. 
 
Scoring courses – for action 
 
Steve Ward has arranged the pre-season sessions for all scorers in the top four divisions (Premier, Championship, Divisions 1 and 2) for the weekend of Saturday 4 April and Sunday 5 April at Whitley Hall Cricket Club. 
 
There will be two sessions on Saturday (9.30am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm) and one on Sunday 10am to 1pm). Scorers only need to attend one session. 
 
The sessions will concentrate on DLS, as there is a new version out, and there will be refresher training on PCS Pro. Historically, scorers have found the sessions to be very useful. Please find below a link to book on the course that you can attend. 
 
 
Umpire recruitment – for information 
 
The treasurer has now invoiced clubs who did not provide a panel or club umpire for the required number of games in 2025, in accordance with the Administrative Rule in force last season, which required them to pay a levy. The deadline for making submissions in connection with the levy has now passed, and we will make arrangements to decide on those received by the end of the month. 
 
Umpire training – for information 
 
An introductory course for new umpires has been arranged for 29 March 2026 at S20 The Boundary in Sheffield. The course may now be booked here. 
 
For YCSPL clubs, if the following discount code is applied, it will discount the fee from the standard £70 to £0 - YCSPL2026