THE All-Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League are set to become the second white-rose league to benefit from the help of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG).

The Spenser Wilson Halifax League are the first, and Ian Powell, regional adviser for the IOG, said: “Rod Heyhoe (secretary of the IOG Yorkshire branch) has already contacted the Bradford League.”

Powell and Richard Wilkinson, the ECB’s cricket development manager for North Yorkshire and Teesside, both spoke at the latest Halifax League meeting at Pellon Social Club.

“It is a joint initiative between the ECB and the IOG,” said Powell, “and came about after the West Yorkshire Leagues’ Council meeting at Cleckheaton Sports Club, which was attended by the Halifax League, Huddersfield League, Bradford League etc, and the Halifax League have been the first to contact us.

“The help has always been there, but we need to know what the leagues want from us.

“Is it something specific, such as match-pitch preparation, which can be talked about over an evening, or is it something more general?”

Powell added that there has also been tentative contact made with the Scarborough Beckett League.