The Angus Cricket Development Group has secured an offer of funding to
appoint a small team of coaches to deliver cricket activities in schools and
clubs over the next two years.
The coaches will help to increase the number of children and young
people who have the chance to play cricket. They will also work with local
cricket clubs to ensure that there are opportunities for youngsters to develop
their interest and skills in a club environment.
The appointment of the Community Coaches has been made possible by a
creative partnership between Angus Cricket Development Group and Cricket
Scotland.
Cricket Scotland is providing 50% funding and important practical support
and advice. The Angus Cricket Development Group has grasped the opportunity and
contributed some of its resources to match the funding and make the appointment
of coaches possible.
2013 is the second year in which this partnership will have worked to
enhance cricket coaching and playing opportunities in Angus.
“This is a very important opportunity for cricket in Angus”, a
spokesperson for Angus Cricket Development Group told us. “We were able to
appoint our own coach in 2012 and he was very successful in taking cricket to
children in schools in the Brechin, Forfar and Montrose areas. The appointment
helped us to strengthen cricket in the area by giving more youngsters the
opportunity to take part and find out for themselves what a great game cricket
is. But we didn’t get everything right.
We have learned from last years’ experience and have decided not to appoint
a single coach this time. Instead we hope to create a small team of coaches who
can work at the same time if necessary. This will allow us to concentrate
coaching activities in to the period most likely to generate progressions in to
club cricket and which fits in best to the school year.”
The coaching team will work with all members of the Angus
Cricket Development Group and Angus Council’s Active Schools team to provide in
school and after school opportunities to participate in cricket. They will also
run specific transition sessions designed to help children and young people to
make the next step and join in the coaching activities available at clubs in
Arbroath, Brechin and Forfar. The coaches will also support cricket festivals
in May, which bring children and young people together to share their enjoyment
of the game and represent their schools in a bit of healthy competition.
As well as supporting the development of cricket in Angus,
the community coach appointments will provide important job opportunities for
local coaches with the talents to excite children young people's interest
in playing cricket.
Arrangements for recruiting the community coaching team
are well under way. Details have been distributed to cricket clubs in the Angus
and Dundee areas. Local clubs are working hard to ensure that all of their
amateur and aspiring sports coaches are aware of the jobs and have the opportunity
to apply.
According to the Angus Cricket Development Group
spokesperson, the group is keen to get the best person for the job. “Obviously
we want to recruit coaches with the right coaching skills and experiences”, he
said, “but we also want people with a passion for developing cricket in our
Angus communities. The game has given a great deal to generations of cricketers
in the county and this might be an opportunity to give something back. We would
like to recruit people with a strong commitment to the area who can motivate
and enthuse. Anyone looking for more information can email acdg12@btinternet.com
for more details”
Applications for the post close in February and if all
goes according to plan, the first coaching activities will take place in late
March.
This is an exciting initiative to develop a sport that has
made an important contribution to community life in Angus for many years