Torquay create head of junior pathway post as investment in youth cricket

Torquay Recreation Ground

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TORQUAY CC want to invest in their future by recruiting a paid head for their junior performance pathway.

Youth cricket coaching has been running for more than 50 years at the Recreation Ground, dating back to the first colts’ sides run by Mike Osborne and Mike Rowse.

Half a century later the club has a fenced practice area that’s the envy of club all over Devon, eager youngsters and connections with nearby schools that help keep numbers healthy in the youth section.

What the club needs now is someone to keep the colts machine running smoothly.

Tim Western, the director of cricket at the Recreation Ground, said: ‘This vacancy presents a wonderful opportunity for a suitable individual to become a fulcrum in the strong tradition of junior cricket at Torquay. 

“The club has a proud heritage of both elite and entry-level cricket for young people and 2021 will herald the return of girls’ and women’s cricket, alongside the male equivalent age-group representations.’

“The holder of this new position will be able to work in some of the best training facilities in the region and be supported by other ECB level two and level three coaches.”

Western said the successful candidate will:

•          Create a coaching provision programme in local primary schools to raise the profile of both the club and the sport.

•          To develop and enhance junior member player pool at the club.

•          Host a weekly Torbay Primary Schools’ Festival at the Recreation Ground.

•          Coordinate ‘Friday Junior Training Night’ to encourage boys and girls to turn up and enjoy playing at whatever level suits their individual needs. This should include a range of focuses from softball, participation and enjoyment through to more elite, tactical and technical coaching.

•          Promote the integration of All Stars and Dynamos cricket programmes into the club’s pathway.

•          Pioneer the successful introduction of cricket weeks and/or camps in August to provide members, and other local young cricketers, with opportunities to extend their cricketing experience.

Western added: ‘The suitable applicant should hold an ECB UKCC level-two qualification or above.”

Torquay envisage the job taking up 40 hour a month, a proportion of which will include visiting feeder primary schools to energise young boys and girls to take up the sport

“This is an investment the club made in previous years through the Chance to Shine programme,” said Western.

“Remuneration will be commensurate with a role of this responsibility.”

Interested candidates should apply to: secretary@torquaycricketclub.co.ukfor further information.’