Our Annual Report

2002 was a typical year but we continue to expand our coach education programme with an increasing demand for places on all courses. This winter we have run four development workshops (Net/Video and two first aid) and are running a further five workshops before the 2003 season commences. Three Level I course have been necessary, a record, in Okehampton, Exeter and Ashburton. Our annual Level II was held at West Exe College, Exeter. The County had three candidates on the regional Level III – Matt Wood, David Court and Will Hughes. We are very fortunate in a first rate team of Staff Coaches – Matt Evans, Jonathan Mears, Stuart Priscott, Alan Swift, Tim Western who carry out the coach education programme in Devon. From November the Level I course will include a first aid workshop and a Child protection course in line with ECB changes.

This winter we held our first Coaches Conference at Exeter University. This proved to be very successful occasion with John Bracewell dealing entertainingly with spin bowling, Trevor Penney, expertly helping us with his thoughts on fielding and Mark Garaway concluding with an excellent afternoon session looking at the Somerset Academy and the changes brought about by greater involvement of bio mechanics in coaching. There will be a National Conference in November 2003 but we hope to repeat the exercise in 2004.

Active Sports has been bedded in just below county level and despite hiccups has proven to be very beneficial. The funding has proved to be vital with cut backs from the centre. We will be commencing a small mentoring programme with a view to expansion in the future. We thank Matt Evans, in his role at Active Sports, for the close cooperation we enjoy with this organisation.

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