It is one of the hardest and, often, most thankless tasks around. You sacrifice time away from loved ones in the pursuit of doing the best for everyone else, plan and arrange sessions, arrive early and leave late. You will beat yourself up over every little mistake, your car boot will always be full of […]
You might think that marketing is something that only businesses and professional sports clubs do, but you would be wrong. A lot of the success of a grassroots club is based on how well it is marketed. Marketing your grassroots club correctly is important, and it requires more thought than posting something on your personal […]
Among cricket fans, the debate between test and limited overs cricket fans can be a contentious one – and that was before the introduction of twenty20 cricket in 2003. So-called ‘traditional’ cricket fans will always point to test matches as being the pinnacle for any cricketer. Test cricket, otherwise known as first-class cricket, is the […]
A good coach has a clear objective and plan in place before every training session, understanding what it is they want their players to come away with. Whatever sport it is that you coach, it is important that your training sessions are planned. That means understanding the abilities of your players, where they are in […]
Batsman Jason van Dyk told Fen Regis Trophies that he is aiming to play professional cricket in England following his record-breaking 220 innings for Nonington Cricket Club. Van Dyk joined the Kent Cricket League Division Two side this summer from South Africa as the club’s designated overseas player. He made headlines earlier this summer as […]
Often, grassroots coaches take a team that their son/daughter plays for, but many coaches are apprehensive to reward their children through fear of accusations of favouritism. Typically, it is the reason why they volunteered in the first place – to ensure that their child has a team to play for. With no one else raising […]
The country is set to see record temperatures this week with forecasts over 40°C in some parts, which means that clubs and coaches must consider cancelling scheduled training and matches. The government has issued a first-ever red heat warning for Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 July), meaning that the weather poses a risk to […]
Grassroots coaches have what can feel like an impossible and thankless job at times – dedicating hours of unpaid work and sacrificing time away from friends and family. Local clubs across the country rely on willing volunteers to step up to give their time. Initially advertised as a couple of hours a week, seasoned coaches […]
Children playing both football and cricket wasn’t just unheard of, it was the norm for many years, with one season starting as one ends. Has that changed and are children being forced to choose between the two sports? Traditionally, the cricket season begins in mid-April, around the time that grassroots football ends, and runs through […]
In 2018, the ECB released new recommendations for junior cricket pitch sizes to enhance the enjoyment of the game following “extensive research and trialling”. The biggest changes to pitch sizes came with the Under-9s to Under-13s age groups, with the recommended length dropping by as many as three yards. These changes, which came into effect […]
