Chairman’s report 2009

We were restructured at the last AGM so that the district head coaches, the Dorset head coach, the development officer for CEd and the CDO formed the bulk of the new committee. The intent was a better flow of information downwards from the ECB CA and flow upwards from local members. This would drive the planning for the Dorset coach education programme and allow the identification of CPD for our coaches.

It seems to be working – at least from my perspective.

We have had three formal committee meetings since September. At our first one we decided to adopt a colour of track suit to provide a specific identity for Dorset CA members – a tasteful green.

One of our key concerns was communicating information to all our members and we produced a newsletter in January 2009. I hope this was useful.

To facilitate Continuous Professional Development, we held a county and District managers meeting last December in which Matt and Rob demonstrated conditioning activities and ECB fielding tests.

We followed this with 4 free workshops organised by Greg and held in the North and South. Some of these were, sadly, poorly attended.

This was followed in February, by a practical session with Middlesex county coaches at the Dorset cricket centre. Currently, Greg has organised an LTAD session on 15^th December for district coaches.

In the local reward and recognition scheme, funded by the ECB CA, a number of district coaches attended a 20/20 match at the Rose Bowl. I note that the north contingent arrived via Portsmouth.

Our nominations for the Sky Sports Coach Awards were selected to attend their regional activities and John Sibley, Hugh Shakell and Paul Tweddle all thoroughly enjoyed their day hosted by the ECB CA and funded by Sky.

We are now experiencing a 51% uptake in CA membership from the coaching courses and our membership is up by 12% but 32 coaches will have their CRB expire this year

Finally, an enjoyable 5-a-side session was held between the district coaches at Shillingstone in September on a glorious hot, late summer’s day.

DEVON CA Conference 2009

For the reports on the conference see:http://www.devoncricket.co.uk/page.asp?p=DCBCA%20Conference%202009

Lots of good information - especially about leadership/motivation characteristics.

Sky Coaches reward 2009 – John Sibley

Unbeknown to me, the Dorset Cricket Coaches Association had very kindly nominated me for a Sky Sports Coach Award. Even more surprising was the fact that the Sky team had accepted this nomination and invited me to join them at the first One Day International between England and Australia. I was delighted to accept this offer, and particularly so, as I had never been to an International at the recently developed Brit Oval or indeed attended a Day/Night match.

Eight coaches had been selected and I was pleased to find out that Hugh Shackell and his wife Margaret, who do such good work with the Dorset Girls sides, were also there. After a coffee, we were shown to our seats and were able to watch both sides going through their pre-match routines. This is something that always fascinates me and I was impressed with the thoroughness with which both teams approached their drills.

Before the start of the match, we were escorted on to the pitch where we were to receive our Coaching Achievement Certificates from Nick Knight. This was recorded by the Sky Sports team and was shown on the big screen. We even received applause from the crowd although I am not sure if they knew what was actually happening.

We were treated to a superb lunch before taking our places to watch the match. Although, England restricted the Aussies to 260 – 5, they just failed to win the match by 4 runs. Adil Rashid with 10 overs for 37 and a well constructed 31 runs looked a great prospect but with Shah stepping on his wicket and Luke Wright being run out off a wide, the luck and victory went to the Australians.

It was a superb day out and I am indebted to the Coaches Association for my nomination. If I had one regret, it would be that Clive Hayward, who has assisted me for 14 years was not similarly recognised. Although we would have liked one more year with our present team, apparently, 2009 has probably been our last season coaching the boys and we leave knowing that we have encouraged a considerable number to enjoy this great game and that many of them have gone on to represent the Minor Counties side.

Dear Member,

At the AGM, on 21st September, we elected a new committee.

The introduction of the post of District Head Junior coaches provided an opportunity for restructuring so that the Dorset Head coach, Matt Keech, and the four new District Head coaches would be members of the committee. The rationale is that information and drills from the elite English coaching methods and the Dorset Academy program could flow down into the districts via a single-point-of contact. In addition, since the District Head coaches would be embedded into the district and club coaching scene, the needs of fellow district coaches could easily flow upwards to drive the coach education programme. One example is the new fielding drill tests which are used by the English cricket team, demonstrated by Matt on 6th December, another is the recent four free workshops put together by Greg.

Amongst other things, the District Head coaches are also responsible for developing their fellow district coaches - so contact them with any issues or needs you have.

One of the problems that the ECB CA faces is that by the end of 2009, there will be an estimated 3800 CRB renewals required. If anybody in Dorset is facing this position, please contact your District Head coach or the Cricket Centre and we will help with a "sign-off" in your locality.

There has never, in my experience, been a better time to develop your skills and knowledge as a coach. We have CDs with exciting video footage and new drills to impart. You have the contacts - have you the desire?

Have a very good new year.

Tom Snape

Chairman of the DCA