Dear County and District Coaches
Thank you to everyone that attended the Conference day on the 18th of September. Tom Snape was kind enough to put together a report on the day which you can find attached.
Also attached are the Talent Pathway and Minimum Quality Standards that were discussed.
The Simple Strength document gives very easy to understand guidance on the key movement skills that were demonstrated on the day. The ECB have provided this and asked for us to ensure that these are passed down through our pathway. The message was if players are able to perform these movement skills when the reach the top end then they will have the basic movement skills required. Please use these is your warm ups and programmes where possible.
The day ended with a discussion on philosophy and District cricket. I have provided the write up from Tom's notes on this:
District Philosophy
Up to U13 give all a chance. From U15 onwards it is about being competitive. This needs to be communicated to parents.
This has to be applied at District cricket. Ensure all players perform a role in the side as non-involvement will put a player off. District cricket is not about winning and losing but about developing players in various roles. Discussion started around should District cricket be friendlies only and remove the league tables. These will be discussed by the District Head Coaches and communicated later.
Ensure to communicate with your opposition manager a week before your fixture to determine strength of sides. The DCB want competitive matches that enthuse the players, not one sided walk overs that do no good to anyone. If your opposition is going to be weak then select your team accordingly so you can get some of the fringe players more game time.
Please beware that focusing on winning at an early age can drive players away from the game later in their pathway. This is partly the reason why Hampshire have ceased their younger representative age groups. We as coaches have a massive role to play in ensuring the environment is suitable for the stage of the players.
