The standard of cricket has dropped and it is time we do something drastic about it. I am openly challenging clubs to start planning now for next cricket season and identify ways that they can improve their programmes.

First of all, clubs have to realise that the standard of cricket that is being played in Bermuda is of a low quality and that some of the things that are being accepted just plain shouldn’t be.

What am I talking about, right?

Well here are a few just for starters. How many times you go to watch a game and see players wearing baseball caps? How many times do you see players wearing their shirts outside of their pants? Then there are players having cellphones in the field while fielding. What about players being ready to go in and not rushing to pad up?

Some players sit in the team booth with no shirt on and focus on everything but the match while waiting to bat — and the list goes on and on.

These things need to be addressed by clubs, coaches and cricket chairmen, for starters.

It is time that ALL clubs are made to have a Level Two coach or higher for their senior team. Coaches at clubs are responsible for producing a sound programme. Coaches are responsible for the standards at the clubs.

I would also like to see the Bermuda Cricket Board implement a policy that all clubs must have at least one youth team and that the youth-team coaches must at least have a Level One coaching badge.

If we are to produce good cricketers in the future, they must be taught properly from young.

Clubs must spend money or seek a sponsor to improve their infrastructure. To see improvement, players must have a good training facility.

At Cleveland, that is one thing we have been discussing and we are already making plans to have our nets torn down and improved. Clubs must have good nets along with a bowling machine.

Teams train twice a week, but how about that eager cricketer who really wants to improve and do some personal training. A bowling machine is a necessity at all clubs if we are to raise the bar.

Standards must start at the top and the Board has to be seen to be raising the bar because everything in cricket falls under them.

So what is one thing that the BCB can do to show that it is setting a higher standard? The previous two national coaches both suggested that we need an elite league. If we want our cricket to develop and stay on par with other countries, it is imperative. The reality is that we have talent on the island only to have three elite teams. It would be good to have four, but four is pushing it and could result in a standard that is below what is required to take us to that next level.

I would recommend three teams who would play each other three times. All teams would have a major sponsor, with the players paid to play in the series. The winning team would receive a bonus and there would be other incentives, such as most runs, most wickets, best fielder etc. The idea is that if the clubs see the Board setting the standard at the top, then they are more likely to follow suit.

The one group within cricket that have already raised their standards are the umpires. Recently, there has been an influx of new umpires and they are of very good standard. In addition, those who have been around for a long time have been improving constantly, which bodes well for cricket.

However, as I said, after the Board come the clubs. Clubs need to assure that all their players are uniformed. There are some teams taking the field in two different types of coloured uniforms. Simply not good enough and, yes, that includes Cleveland.

Clubs with fields need to assure that they have proper covers so that the chance of games being played increases.

All teams must have a scorer so that there are no discrepancies with the score. Simple things, it may seem, but some clubs around Bermuda are falling short and it needs to improve.

I know some clubs lack the finance, but there are members within clubs who are business-minded. Get them to do up a proposal and try to get sponsorship to help offset some of the cost. If that doesn’t work, get the players to come together and put on some pot luck dinners or codfish breakfasts to raise money for the cricket programme.

Discussions have already taken place about how we can improve the standard at Cleveland so that we are a model club next season. Next year I would like to see Cleveland have all the same gear bags, same uniforms and same caps.

Uniformity and professionalism are a must if we are to improve the standards. These are things that all clubs can do, but the players and executive have to be willing to raise the money or make money to make it happen.

At Cleveland, we are also discussing having weekly rewards for top bat, top bowler and best fielder of the week. However, to be eligible you must train both nights unless excused, as player attendance to training seems to be another significant factor that clubs must tackle.

If we are going to give something to the players, we expect them to give something back.

At the end of the day, the BCB can do only so much. Clubs have to control the controllables, focus on the things that they can control and improve upon.

What we see in cricket nowadays is nowhere near the standard that is needed for us to excel internationally. You only get out what you put in and that has been the case at most clubs, hence the reason why we are where we are now.

I challenge all those who have a role in cricket at their clubs to step up to the plate and seek ways that you can improve your programme for the 2015 season. Start now!