THE North Lancashire and Cumbria League is, for the first time in its history, looking to employ a general secretary to take the competition forward.

The league’s officers have previously all been unpaid volunteers, but in the second decade of the 21st century, with many member clubs in the county now being run like small ‘businesses’ and with increasing demands on those responsible for running the sport at all levels, it was felt that the time was right to appoint a paid officer.

In addition to the work of a league secretary, the successful candidate will also play a leading role with the NLCCL management committee, in the future development of the league as cricket in the county enters a new era.

The decision to appoint a general secretary was taken at a league extraordinary general meeting when clubs voted unanimously for the ground-breaking change of direction.

The North Lancs League, formed in 1891, will be the only cricket league in the county to employ an officer.

League chairman Gary Postlethwaite said: “These are potentially very exciting times for our league and for cricket in the county as a whole.

“There are new possibilities for the way cricket is structured in Cumbria and at the same time clubs are taking on board a whole raft of changes that are designed to make the game more appealing to youngsters and maintain the levels of those already playing within our existing structure.

“Clubs are increasingly having to work harder to keep pace with developments both on and off the field and this in itself puts a further strain on existing resources.

“As a result the same applies to the way in which our league is organised and run and we feel that the time is now right to take the league forward and to support our clubs through making this appointment.

“The game itself has developed immensely in recent years and the competition we face from other sports and interests has intensified. The future development of our league demands that we adopt a different approach.”

For the start of the 2016 season the league is to establish a new website and also embrace the latest technology specifically designed by the English Cricket Board (ECB) to provide an instant UK wide results and performance service to which all amateur clubs have access and input.

The NLCCL has four divisions and its Premier Division is widely regarded as the strongest cricket played exclusively in Cumbria. Member clubs are Carlisle, Cleator, Cockermouth, Dalton, Egremont, Furness, Haverigg, Hawcoat Park, Keswick, Kirkby, Lindal Moor, Millom, Seascale, Ulverston, Vickerstown, Whitehaven, Wigton, Windscale and Workington.

The NLCCL is to formally advertise the position of general secretary shortly but, in the meantime, anyone who would like to know more can contact Gary Postlethwaite on (01229) 776870 or by email at garypostle@aol.com