CLUBS in the Spenser Wilson Halifax League have been invited to one of three workshops at Copley Cricket Club (7.30pm).

Topics up for discussion either tonight, next Wednesday or next Thursday are the challenges that face local cricket clubs, with particular reference to those who field only one team, the struggle to turn out full XIs every Saturday and the inclusion of players who are either unfit or have literally been dragged to a ground to play to ensure a club fields two teams.

Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly, the workshops will discuss the slow but noticeable erosion of the number of junior cricketers and, in addition, the difficulty of clubs that have junior teams to convert those players into senior cricketers.

The Halifax League has seen the demise of several clubs and, had it not been for its overall strength and the ability to attract new clubs, the current compliment would be much smaller.

Recently the league undertook a players' survey organised by the ECB, which received 231 replies, the highest number from any cricket league in Yorkshire.

The replies and results will be used at the workshops to provide an up-to-date insight as to how today's players view the sport.

The league only exists because of its clubs and therefore it is to those clubs that the league's executive committee is turning to seek guidance.

While it continues to be strong, it does not intend to rest on its laurels and now needs to make decisions on how to tackle the challenges above and move forward into the 2020s and beyond, including a review of their divisional and management structures.

The workshops have a limit of four people per club and the breakdown of clubs per date is as follows, although individuals may switch dates by contacting league secretary Tim Helliwell (timhelliwell53@gmail.com).

Tonight: Bradley & Colnebridge, Bradshaw, Bridgeholme, Clayton, Copley, Cullingworth, Illingworth St Marys, Low Moor Holy Trinity, Mytholmroyd, Northowram Hedge Top, Triangle,

Wednesday, February 1: Birchencliffe, Blackley, Greetland, Jer Lane, Luddendenfoot, Queensbury, Southowram, Sowerby St Peter's, Stones, Upper Hopton, Warley,

Thursday, February 2: Booth, Great Horton Park Chapel, Leymour, Mount, Old Town, Outlane, Oxenhope, Shelf, SBCI, Sowerby Bridge, Stainland, Thornton.