Kent Cricket Coaches Association conference returns

Sunday 8th October saw the return of the Kent Cricket Coaches Association Annual Conference after 6 years, and a great day was had by all.

60 coaches from clubs, schools, county and franchise cricket across the south-east, came together to share ideas and take part in CPD sessions delivered by our highly experienced team of coach developers, former players and county or regional pathway coaches.

A gorgeous day at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, started with a short welcome and updates within coach education, as the landscape has changed somewhat in the last few years, from Kent Cricket’s Coach Development Manager, Matthew Fagg.

Coaches then headed to the Ames-Levitt Indoor Centre for the first of 4 CPD sessions scheduled during the day. Former Kent and England Ashes winning wicket keeper Geraint Jones, alongside Invicta Cricket and Kent Pathway Coach Mike Barber, delivered an informative session on coaching young, upcoming wicket keepers, with near perfect demonstration from Kent and Southern Vipers, Megan Sturge.

Next on the agenda was ‘Developing Bowlers CPD’. Kent’s recently appointed Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, England PD and Sunrisers Regional Talent Manager, James Nordin and South-East Stars Regional Talent Manager and Kent U18 Girls Coach, Lucy Arman, focused on developing fast bowlers. Their sessions focussed particularly around the run up and it was great to see the coaches trying to bowl blind. Meanwhile, Coach Developers Phil Pass and Asher Roberts, delivered a Spin Bowling masterclass focusing on various grips, flight of the ball and variations.

During the lunch break, Kent Cricket Women’s and Girls’ Community Manager, Helen Fagg-Lenihan, hosted a ‘Coaching in Female Cricket Forum’, assisted by Lucy Arman, Megan Sturge and Kent Girls’ Pathway Lead, Dave Smith, providing some useful information and insights into any differences when coaching female cricketers and the importance of knowledge around female health.

After lunch, Dave Smith was joined by Kent Women’s Head Coach, David Hathrill and former Kent opening batter, now Coach Developer, Neil Taylor for a batting master class. This included development of the sweep shot and emphasising the importance of head and hands.

The final CPD session of the day was hosted by Brian Gasking, Kent Cricket’s Disability Officer and Active Kent and Medway Workforce and Coaching Manager, Louisa Arnold and was assisted by Kent Visually Impaired Player, Matt Balding, VI Team Scorer Simon Balding and Coach Lottie Hayward. The session helped coaches to understand the importance of inclusive coaching and how to include the ‘child voice’ in their sessions, whilst experiencing for themselves, the difficulties faced by VI players. They got to have a go at batting, bowling and fielding with impaired vision, going away with a really important message, which was also highly entertaining to watch!

To round off the day, coaches were invited to a Q&A session with players past and present, who have turned their attention to coaching. Geraint Jones, Simon Cook, James Nordin, Megan Sturge and Neil Taylor, shared their valuable insights.

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook said- “It was great to see so many coaches from across the coaching pathway come together. With the amount of knowledge in the room, its hugely beneficial for all and you cannot help but come away from events such as this, a better coach. I look forward to being involved in events in the future.”

Coach Development Manager Matthew Fagg stated “It was fantastic to bring back the (Kent Cricket) Coaches Conference after the last few years after being limited to virtual events. It was great to see the support from coaches and listen to the insights from our delivery team and also the conversations between coaches throughout the day”

Thanks to all those who delivered CPD or forums throughout the event, and to all those that attended, we hope you enjoyed the day.

Join us for the next event- sign up for the Coaches Association today.