Performance Pathway Coaches help to organise and administer Devon's County Age Group and Youth Development Cricket teams.
The coach's role is a crucial one in ensuring that players have a positive experience of playing for their county.
Coaches are role models for young players, and all aspects of their behaviour need to reflect this responsibility. Below is a list of characteristics that we believe are crucial to the role of a Performance Pathway Coach:
- Good communicator
- Player-focused
- Punctual
- Well-mannered
- Approachable
- Trustworthy
What you will get out of it?
Our aim is to help produce not only good cricketers, but also good people. We hope that all coaches get a feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction by playing a major part in enabling young people to experience something special and helping them to develop as players and people during the process.
You will feel part of two teams: your own pathway team and also the Devon Cricket family, where we all try to develop players to be the best they can be whilst enjoying themselves at the same time.
You will become part of a highly respected Performance Pathway that has produced some outstanding professional cricketers and will play your part in creating the star cricketers of the future.
Job Description
The role of a Performance Pathway Coach includes the following:
- Attending all winter training sessions and matches.
- Liaising with other coaches to select winter and summer squads as well as teams throughout the summer match programme.
- Manage the team on matchdays, including liaising with the opposition, umpires and the host venue.
- Be the main point of contact for parents throughout the summer, sending and receiving relevant information to/from players (and parents).
- Confirm pre-arranged fixtures with other counties and communicate match and travel information to parents, umpires and venues in advance of any fixture.
- Attend the relevant performance camps (three days long), ensuring players/parents know travel arrangements and full camp details. Act as the guardian of the players at the camp, with assistance from other pathway coaches.
- Attend occasional meetings and relevant training events set up by the Performance Pathway team.
- Produce a report for our annual Awards evening, as well attend the Awards evening.
Matchday
Pre-match
- Responsible for the appearance of your players.
- Responsible for equipment, including first aid kit.
- Responsible for checking the pitch and giving advice to team captain on toss.
- Leading the team warmup ahead of the match.
- Sorting batting order and naming 12th player (to field, bowl, but not bat)
- Briefing team in aims of the game and any short-term targets.
During matches
- Responsible for the appearance of your players.
- Ongoing communication with players, including batters knowing their roles, 12th player being included and rotation of fielders.
- Observe fielders' angles, depth of wicket-keeper, and overall shape and feel of the team.
- Assign roles to team members, e.g.: vice-captain, ball shiner and encouragement.
Post-match
- Post-match debrief with the team.
- Thank the appropriate people.
- Ensure players are returned safely to parents/guardians.
- Make any notes necessary for future reference.
Approximate time commitment
- 8x Sunday winter age group sessions in the following time slots:
- 9am-12pm
- 12pm-3pm
- 3pm-6pm
- Attendance at Youth Development Cricket training and matches to observe potential players for summer squad.
- Approximately 12 to 15 County Age Group matches through the summer - these are T20 days, 40/50 overs per side, either midweek or Sundays depending on the age group.
- An annual camp with a maximum of three nights away (Under 13 Boys and Girls County Age Groups only).
- Maximum of three to four hours administration per week during the season, significantly less in the winter.
Qualifications and checks required
Coaches must currently possess the following or commit to completing shortly after appointment:
- ECB Core Coach (Level 2) or equivalent.
- A valid ECB DBS certificate.
- A valid First Aid certificate (completed within three years).
- A valid Safeguarding for Specialist Roles certificate (completed within three years).
- An active membership of the ECB Coaches Association.
- Sign relevant Codes of Conduct and Policies.
- Not have a child in the team you wish to coach.
Desirable qualifications and experience
Desirable but not necessarily required qualifications and experience for the role are:
- Experience coaching/managing a youth squad at club level.
If you are interested in coaching for the Devon Cricket Performance Pathway, please fill in our Expression of Interest Form.
If you have any queries or questions about the role, please contact Sandy Allen.
