THE new TT25 competition will officially start on Sunday with the first match at Christchurch, who take on Broadstone.

The friendly but sociable format, played every other week sees more than 20 teams in four leagues and one is an all ladies’ league, will compete all over Dorset on an every other week basis.

Hearn and Sons will be sponsoring the league initially for the 2017 season.

Paul Bedford, ECB’s national participation manager for leagues and competition said “ECB is pleased to support the Dorset Funeral Plan League TT25 competition, this project will boost the development of the game for all ages across Dorset.

“This investment directly supports “Cricket Unleashed” the game-wide strategy to make the game more accessible and inspire the next generation of players, coaches, officials and volunteers”

The competition has been designed to emphasise “The Spirit of Cricket” and encouraging 14+ and 50+ returning to the game and for families to play the shorter 25-over format, in the same teams.

One of the innovations of TT25 is that matches will be played every other week, predominately on a Sunday due to more availability of pitches.

TT25 is the inspiration of Pete (Tommy) Tucker, hence “TT”, coach at Charlton Down Cricket Club, who has been involved in the sport at all age levels from youth to veterans for over 35 years.

The concept of the new league has been put together by Tucker together with input from Keith Brewer at the Dorset Cricket Board.

One of the many reasons for the new league is to bridge the gap and between youth cricket at under-15s and the longer adult game, increase the club players and social numbers and, at the same time, bring more families into cricket.

An important point is that any team that wishes to participate does not need to have a youth section or indeed be part of an established club.

There is free entry into the league with no financial penalties, and games will last for 25 overs per innings, completed in less than 3½ hours.

Explaining his reasons behind the TT25 competition, Tucker said: “I had become increasingly frustrated at seeing young boys and girls come to me from the age of seven to 15 and then see only two or three progress into adult cricket because there was no opportunity and go off to play other sports.”

“Over the last five years I have been putting this concept together – it might just work if given a chance.”

Clubs who might be interested in entering a team in the 2018 season should contact Tucker at Tommy.tucker501@btinternet.com or keith.brewer@dorsetcricketboard.co.uk