Cricket Sports Academy Report 09

Scottish Borders Sports Academy

 

Introduction
Though not taken lightly the decision was made in the planning stages for the 2009 Academy cricketers to remain in Galashiels.

This decision was based on the following reasons:
• Gala CC’s practise and playing facilities had recently undergone a massive improvement, not least with the installation of a two-lane full-length (actually 30 metres) net facility and purchase of new ground maintenance equipment
• Gala CC had been designated the home of the Sports Academy since the academy’s inception but was now also the summer home of the Border’s Area Development Squads
• Though not outweighing the above, cost was also an important factor; not least because from 2009 the cricket squad would increase from 16 places to 22 (and this time 6 girls too).

All three factors reflected the increasing importance of cricket, and in particular the strength of junior cricket, in the clubs in the Borders and also the Eastern Region.

The Programme
Not going to Largs and ‘depriving’ the Academies cricketers the opportunity to mix and interact with the region’s other successful and up and coming youth cricketers - and all that that entails – was the hardest decision that I have certainly had to come to terms with in my time in post. However, and to an extent to compensate this, what I intended to put in place for these young cricketers was a quality coaching experience that would reinforce the view that the annual Sports Academy was indeed an elite athletes programme and that these were not only the region’s brightest future hopes but that they would work hard and be exposed to top quality coaching.

The programme included:
• (Monday) a batting masterclass and batting drills from Michael Powell (former captain  Warwickshire CCC and an England A tourist)
• (Tuesday) a fast bowling masterclass from Steve Paige (current Scotland Under-15s Head Coach; they won the 2009 European Championships) and a fielding and fitness masterclass from Gordon Drummond (current Scotland Captain)
• (Wednesday) middle practise and Twenty20 match day
• (Friday) a 40-over game against the Scotland Women’s Under-17s (the third year this fixture has been played)
All of these guest coaches hold a Level 3 coaching qualification and between them a wealth of playing top grade club cricket, English county cricket and international cricket.

Other ‘staff’ on hand were:
• Head Coach – Neil Cameron
• Auxiliary (Boys) Coach – Mark Williamson (former Academy athlete and current Borders Area Under-13s Inter Area Championship winning coach)
• Auxiliary (Girls) Coach – Lea Tsui (current Cricket Scotland National Girls and Women’s Development Manager)
• (all of these hold current Level 2 or above coaching qualifications)
• Ancillaries – Graeme Ormiston (former Academy athlete) and Ross Paterson, both of whom will start posts as Modern Cricket Apprentices fro Cricket Scotland in the Borders in September 2009.

Reflections
The two previous trips to Largs have been marred by the weather; this year, although Monday’s programme was moved to the Queens Centre, more outdoor practise and training was possible in 2009 than in both trips to Largs! This undoubtedly contributed to the success of the week!

Nevertheless, the shear quantity (very small groups with a dedicated coach who also gained valuable coaching knowledge and experience) and quality of the programme more than compensated for not going to Largs. However, the residential experience is an invaluable part of the performance athletes pathway and developmental experiences as both sportsperson and individual. Many of the cricketers had already experienced the residential aspect so they have not been ‘deprived’ and I am confident that of those that didn’t (particularly the girls) will experience this in the future.

What we have to decide is whether the previous model of bringing different squads/sports together is the right or indeed relevant one for the development of our young sports men and women. I am convinced that there needs to be a residential element in the performance pathway and an openness to other sports but the former can be achieved by siting either residential camps at appropriate times (for each sport) or supporting a touring programme. How the latter is achieved is probably as much to do with the coaches as it is with the players and I would suggest that the Coaching Conference has a vital role to play in this; the youngsters of course will always mix whatever adults try to do!

Conclusions
The programme worked. The athletes were properly rested after each day. The week was a success; the survey forms did reflect this and despite some commenting that the improvement that they would make would be to go to Largs, I have already witnessed the benefits the week – and the overall annual cricket programme of which the Sports Academy is an integral part – has had on both players and coaches. By the way the food was excellent (and plentiful) too.

2009 (& previous) Success Stories
Cricket is a unique sport in many ways but among those is its relationship to the Institute of Sport! Whilst the national team has a physio supplied to them by the Institute no player is linked to that august body of Scottish performance sport. Club cricket, for most Scots, is almost entirely recreational and of those that represent the National team only a few are full-time paid cricketers.

The player pathway from junior club to National team is littered with those who have fallen by the way side (either given up, chosen another sport or remain content with their ‘amateur’ status) for lack of financial support. Despite this then, perhaps because of it, Borders cricketers continue to strive to reach the top of their sport; many of those that have achieved national recognition have been Sports Academy alumni. Here are these:

National Honours
Ross Paxton (formerly of Kelso CC) Scotland A, Scotland Under-19s and Scotland Under-17s (as captain),
Rebecca Waldie (Kelso CC) Scotland Wildcats (3 caps in 2009), Scotland Women’s Under-17s (2009 ECB County Championships and 2009 ICC European Under-17s Championships),
Eilidh Dickson (Kelso CC)   2008 Scotland Under-17s
Joanna Dickson (Manderston CC)  2009 Scotland Under-17s
Caitlin Ormiston (Gala CC)   2009 Scotland Under-15s Development Squad
Ellie Savage (Biggar CC)   2009 Scotland Under-15s Development Squad

Regional Honours
Keith Fingland (Kelso CC)   2008/9 Eastern Regional Academy intake
Andrew Harrison (Peebles County CC) 2007/8 Eastern Regional Academy intake (having only taken up cricket two years before!)
Alec Sim (Manderston CC)   2008/9 & 2009/10 Eastern Regional Academy intake
Ian Sim (Manderston CC)    2008/9 & 2009/10 Eastern Regional Academy intake
Richard Taylor (Manderston CC)  2008/9 & 2009/10 Eastern Regional Academy intake