The Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League are finally grasping the nettle over child welfare officers.

“We should have done this five years ago,” said league vice-chairman Graham Langton at their monthly meeting at Carlton House.

“All clubs will need a child welfare officer registered for the start of next season, and three-quarters of our clubs have nothing in place at the moment.

“It is hoped that the Bradford Area Cricket Council will run a Safe Hands course for us in February at Cleckheaton Sports Club and will be subsidising it for us.

“We should know a date and a fee by our annual meeting next month, and the league could help with the money side of things so I’m sure it won’t cost clubs more than £10 per person.

“Each club only needs to send one person to the course but it would help if they sent more than one member in case their child welfare officer leaves the club.”

The league intend to comply more strictly with regulations in future, which would mean captains, coaches, scorers and tea ladies being CRB checked.