SOMERSET CRICKET BOARD
CRICKET DEVELOPMENT IN SOMERSET
THE CENTRE OF CRICKETING EXCELLENCE |
The Somerset Cricket Board continues in its endeavours to ensure that Somerset becomes one of the most successful and respected cricket counties in England and Wales and that there is the widest possible participation and interest in the game in all parts of the county.
Somerset aims to introduce cricket to every boy and girl in the county and Kwik Cricket is universally enjoyed. Kwik Cricket festivals, competitions and coaching are offered to schools throughout the county and this year the work has been greatly enhanced through the Clark ’s Cricket in Somerset Schools programme, generously sponsored by Somerset footwear company, C & J Clark Limited. In total, 9,000 primary school children in Somerset play cricket.
New PESSCL funding (Physical Education, School Sport, Club Links) has also been acquired and together with funding from the County Sports Partnerships, this has been used to set up coaching in primary schools, followed by signing-up sessions and further coaching in local “focus” clubs.
 Building on the success of Kwik Cricket, the secondary school game, “Inter Cricket” is played in the school sports hall, in the playground or on the school field. The game is fast and great fun. “Inter Cricket” bridges the gap between the soft-ball game and hard-ball cricket. Schools are encouraged to affiliate to the Somerset Cricket Board and can then access top quality cricket equipment through the excellent scheme, promoted by the Lord’s Taverners.
Partnership working is also very important in this sector as funds are channeled into sport through the Specialist Sports Colleges (five in Somerset ) and the network of School Sport Co-ordinators.
Through Clark ’s funding, INSET courses for teachers are organised and Young Cricket Leaders Courses are promoted for sixth-formers. These courses have led to the identification of more young people who have the potential to be cricket coaches.
Although over 4,000 young people in secondary schools play cricket, it is a challenge for cricket to provide sustainable opportunities for secondary school age children. In general, it is felt, that we should enthuse children about the game in primary schools and then create links into clubs, for although some excellent work is carried out in secondary schools, there is a high drop-out rate from cricket when children reach their teenage years.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is now making every effort to support cricket clubs as, in general, it is the recreational clubs that provide competition and skills development. For this reason, Somerset has identified 34 “focus clubs”, who are all working to achieve the nationally recognised accreditation “Clubmark”. More clubs with youth sections will be invited to register for “Clubmark” in due course and Somerset has a group of 8 volunteer assessors, assisting the clubs in their quest for “Clubmark” accreditation. To date, five “focus” clubs have been offered significant funding towards facility development through the “Community Club Development Fund” (CCDF) for such projects as grass nets, artificial pitches, pitch upgrades and pavilion changing improvements. It is hoped that if the CCDF scheme is nationally considered to be a success, more “focus” clubs will be offered funding.
The Cricket Development Officer and other members of the Somerset Cricket Board are readily available to give advice regarding league cricket opportunities, umpiring, scoring, and other related courses for volunteers such as Child Protection and First Aid. Club Development seminars for clubs have been held on such matters as development planning, facilities and funding, and the Cricket Development Officer is always available to meet clubs to assist with their development projects.
Clubs are also encouraged to provide opportunities for girls and women as more and more female cricketers are receiving coaching and tuition through schools, Active Sport schemes and coaching courses. The A.C. Mole Women’s Cricket League provides competition for women’s clubs.
The Somerset Disabled Cricket Club practices regularly at the Centre of Excellence and has competed strongly this season in the Disabled County Championship. The pioneer of disabled cricket in Somerset , Julian Bellew, was recognised during the year at the OSCA volunteers event and received one of three national awards made by ECB.
Somerset boasts a breadth of talented coaches both professional and volunteers. Four Level 1 courses and one Level 2 course have been delivered during the year, and in the forthcoming year, Somerset will be piloting the new National Certificate of Coaching for Cricket.
Somerset continues to promote the Corner system, supported by County Sport Partnerships, for age groups 11 to 15. Around 400 young people gain representative experience through this system and some move on to full county representation. The scheme, which involves trials, coaching and corner matches, is managed by Youth Performance Director, Pete Sanderson.
 Somerset ’s age group squads commence practice in the late autumn. Squad sessions are supervised by the Youth Performance Director and supported by the Ist XI and 2 nd XI coach, together with other members of the Somerset coaching team and Somerset C.C.C. staff professionals, who are able to offer assistance in their own areas of expertise and experience. Individual specialist coaching is arranged as appropriate, using the full range of technical support now available.
The Somerset Women’s and Girl’s squads are now coached by former Somerset player and coach, Peter Robinson and training is now carried out to a high standard. This year the Somerset Women’s team won Division Two of the Frizzell Women’s County Championships and will gain promotion next year to Division One.
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Centre of Cricketing Excellence : |
For young cricketers who are particularly talented, the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground , spreads its area of expertise to cover the whole of the south-west peninsula. South West Regional courses are run from the Centre and the South West Junior Talent ID scheme identifies those who have the potential to emerge as Regional Academy students.
County and district boys squads train at the Centre, which also hosts county women’s and girl’s coaching at all levels. The Somerset Disabled Club regularly use the Centre and has promoted a number of indoor tournaments for disabled people of all ages.
The Centre of Excellence acts as the focal point for local club nets and the large number of young (and not so young) cricketers seeking to improve their game through individual coaching.
The Skills Awards and holiday programmes continue in popularity, together with the Mini Sabres (3-5 years).
A wide range of competitions are promoted, including the regular six-a-side league and tournaments for Inter Cricket, Girls Cricket, Primary Schools competitions, etc.
The centre also hosts the “Playing for Success” scheme, which is now growing to offer daytime learning opportunities for schools, together with summer schools.
Somerset is indeed fortunate to have such a superb facility to support cricket in all its facets, from playing arena to local schools, from umpires to coaches, from top-quality performers to pre-school children, boys and girls, young and not-so-young, a genuine “club-for all”
Andrew Moulding
Somerset Cricket Development Officer / Centre Manager.
"All Youth Programmes" for Somerset |
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P.E & Sport in School 
