Exposing junior players to senior cricket for the first time with their club teams will be more closely regulated by the Bermuda Cricket Board this year.The BCB have issued guidances covering the selection and participation of young players in open age group cricket, recognising that the step up from junior to open age group cricket is a “significant event in any player’s cricket experience”.Now the BCB will insist that no player under the age of 13 will be allowed to compete in senior domestic cricket, and that written parental consent be required for any player under the age of 16.Traditionally, clubs have introduced players into senior cricket before the age of 16, sometimes as young as 12 or 13 when they usually fill in and play minimal roles because of a player shortage.The BCB says the new guidelines are to help clubs decide when to select young players in open age group cricket and how best to help their cricketing development when they play within open age groups. The BCB Cricket Committee will continue to monitor the impact of these guidelines and have invited persons to express their thoughts and comments in writing to the BCB Cricket Committee Chairman.The guidances include:No player may compete in senior domestic cricket unless they have already reached 13 years of age on or before August 31of the preceding season. For example, to be eligible to compete in the 2013 senior domestic season the player must be 13 before September 1, 2012.Written parental consent is required for any players under the age of 16Clubs should consider the player’s safety, personal development needs and overall cricket experience before selecting them to compete in senior domestic cricket.Clubs and coaches are expected to adhere to the BCB fast bowling directive and the fielding directives included in the BCB playing regulations and not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult playersNot to place a young player in a position that involves an unreasonable risk to that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the relative skills of the player. If any parent believes that their child can safely compete in open age cricket and does not meet these guidelines they may appeal to the BCB Executive requesting an exception be granted. The decision of the BCB Executive will be final and binding.Meanwhile, the BCB have been awarded with three ICC Development Programme Awards for 2012, including the most prestigious Best Overall Cricket Development Award, The Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative and the ICC Lifetime Service Award."The Best Overall Development Programme is the jewel in the crown of the ICC awards and is a fitting validation of our work from pee wee right up to the senior level,” said BCB president Lloyd Fray.“It is an award that we can dedicate to the many volunteers and lovers of our great sport that selflessly contribute to make our community a better place to live. Providing opportunities to the young people in Bermuda is our passion as we strive to make great cricketers and responsible citizens. We thank the ICC for their continued recognition of the high quality programmes that the BCB offer and the hard work of the Board members, volunteers and staff."Former cricketer and long-time administrator Gary Fray, brother of the BCB president, was awarded with the 'Lifetime Service Award'. Since the 1990s Fray has directly served on the Bermuda Cricket Board as Treasurer, first vice-president, second vice-president and as chairman of the disciplinary committee where he still continues to serve.“Gary is a strong believer in the 'spirit of cricket' and the importance of life lessons that can be learned through the sport, he is a great leader who continues to donate much of his life for the love of cricket and is truly deserving of this award," said the president.The BCB & Hiscox U11 Celebrity Festival was awarded with the 'Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative'. “This was the fourth year that the BCB joined forces with the Hiscox Insurance Limited to hold a Celebrity Cricket Festival to celebrate youth cricket. This year over $1,500 was raised at the Festival as it brought together both community and youth, " said president Fray.Fray added: "We should recognise the major support and partnership that we have with Hiscox Bermuda. Since 2007 they have sponsored the Under 11 league, our most popular league. The Celebrity festival was the brainchild of former CEO Rob Childs. Despite now living in the UK, Rob regularly flies back to enjoy this fun, family oriented community day. The event features a complete cross-section of the community and is now a major fixture in the domestic season. It is heartening to note that the U11 All-Star team regularly thrashes the adults!"Ben Kavenagh, ICC Americas regional development manager noted: "The Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards are a great way to recognise and celebrate some of the key achievements made by countries in the Americas region as we strive towards our goal of making cricket a bigger, better, global game. I would like to congratulate this year's winners and all persons and projects nominated for the 2012 awards.”