The Board of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said:
“Sport should be a driving force for good, bringing people together and uniting communities. We welcome the publication of the ICEC report which paints a complex picture of the issues which the sport faces, and which have been ignored for too long. In particular, the report highlights structural challenges and a problematic culture across the game that has excluded and discriminated against a range of groups.
“Yorkshire County Cricket Club has seen first-hand the damage that can be caused by a failure to tackle discrimination of all kinds, and the vital need to cut it off at source. The creation of an inclusive environment for all can only be achieved through collaboration at all levels of the game. Alongside others, we will digest the recommendations laid out by the ICEC and look forward to working with the ECB as it determines its plan of action over the next three months.
“As one of the largest county clubs in the country, we recognise the importance of working with stakeholders both within and outside the game to address this existential threat to cricket. The progress we have made over the past 18 months and the critical steps we have taken have already begun to help us build a better foundation for everyone associated with Yorkshire. There is still much to do, and we have faced difficult decisions along the way, but the progress we have made gives hope that the challenges facing the sport we love are not insurmountable.
“We have seen an increase in diverse cricketers on our Pathways programme, and introduced measures to improve access for those from lower income households, including removal of match fees and the provision of free kit. We have also rolled out schemes to increase accessibility for spectators and players, underpinned by zero tolerance policies and robust and fair processes to encourage speaking up and addressing any concerns. We are optimistic that we can bring about real and lasting change, and hope to draw on our own experience to help support others on the journey to making cricket a game for everyone.”
