Club and Community Coaches provide summer club support
Devon Cricket Boards Club and Community Coaches were out supporting clubs with returning to cricket this summer. With the depleted season and the adverse effects of Covid-19 it was important for clubs to restart activity where possible. The DCBs three Club and Community Coaches offered their services to clubs, supporting with delivery of junior coaching, women and girls coaching, and coach mentoring.
James Kemp was busy across his North Devon patch coaching All Stars up to U15s at summer camps and evening sessions. Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Fileigh, Hatherleigh and Heathcoat all took up the offer with 20+ kids at most sessions. Bideford CC stalwart and Chair of the North Devon Youth League, Andy Davies, was grateful for James’ support at the club “Our summer camps were more popular than ever with up to 30 children attend each day for almost 20 sessions. James threw himself into the coaching and was a great help”
Yealmpton took up the support of Jonny Varcoe in West Devon where he ran coaching sessions for their U13/15 squad of about 20 players, finishing with a mixed match. Jonny enjoying delivering at one of the smaller clubs in the Plymouth area “it was great to get out to Yealmpton and work with their juniors, it was particularly pleasing to see how the U15s helped with some of the less experienced U13 players, some of whom were using a hardball for the first time.” Jonny also observed a club night at Plymstock CC, providing feedback and advice to junior coaches.
In East Devon, Damian Price supported junior coaching at Kentisbeare, Bradninch and Clyst St George as well as a specific hardball transition session at Exmouth and ladies sessions at Budleigh Salterton. Kentisbeare CC were particularly pleased with the support – “We had lots of positive feedback from parents and players. It was great to be able to give the players more personalised coaching and more time for them to practise their skills.”
The coaches themselves were delighted to be back delivering after their Chance to Shine schools delivery was cut short back in March.
“After a long time not coaching (no I am not counting trying to teach the family to catch) it was great to be back out there, coaching, visiting and assisting clubs with the return of cricket. Every club had a special group of volunteers ready to go the extra mile to ensure cricket was back, safe and fun for all the children. Children smiling and having fun from what seemed like hundreds running around Kinightshayes in the evening at Heathcoat CC to thirty children of all ages turning up every time for Bideford CC's summer camp and everywhere in between, cricket was back." James Kemp, North Devon Club and Community Coach
The success of the summer club support offer is something that will be replicated in the future as clubs are encouraged to continue their cricket offer through the summer holidays.
If your club wants support or advice then please get in touch.
