Training / Coaching Update

Since the end of the 2009 season, we are pleased and proud to announce that our coaching team has increased and improved in readiness for the start of the 2010 season:
· Steve Watkins, Cricket Development Officer for SE Wales, has agreed to head up the coaching of all Junior cricket in Usk for 2010
· Huw Waters is in the process of completing UKCC Level 3 Coaching and will assist with Junior coaching in the Winter and whenever possible during the Summer (subject to his Glamorgan commitments) 
· Richard ‘Albert’ Hall, Neil ‘Freddy’ Perrett and Robert Kerby have all undertaken the training modules for UKCC Level 2 Coaches and expect to qualify following ‘exams’ in March
· Kate Jones has qualified as UKCC Level 1 Coach
· We await confirmation about an Overseas cricketer/coach from the Club’s Committee

Indoor Winter training
Pre-season indoor training starts on Sunday 7th February 2010 at Monmouth Boys School Sports Centre from 5pm until 6:30pm.
We have booked the Sports Hall every Sunday evening until mid-April.
There is no charge for the training/coaching.
Albert, Freddy and Rob will be running the sessions (supervised by Huw and assisted by Kate) and need you to make every possible effort to attend, particularly as they need ‘coaching hours’ under their belts before their exams in March.
The sessions will include aspects of fitness (agility, balance and coordination), as well as coaching of basic batting, bowling and fielding skills and techniques ready for the start of the season.
We welcome all cricketers – current Usk players, new players, boys and girls, all ages from 9 – 15 years.
Please, please, please try and attend and bring any new/potential cricketers with you too!
 
We have also booked Usk Junior School Hall for a couple of days during the half term break and plan on running some coaching sessions for any under 11 and under 13 cricketers.
Dates: Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th February
Times: 10am – 2pm
Again, these sessions will be free of charge and open to any cricketers, whether affiliated to Usk CC or not.
It’s important that we have a good attendance to warrant having 4 Coaches present, and so that the prospective Level 2 Coaches can get their ‘coaching hours’ in.
So, don’t spend half term in front of the TV, or absorbed in computer games, come and learn and improve your cricket skills and techniques and have a bit of FUN.................please!

Parents
We were very fortunate last year to have a keen, willing and very capable volunteer (Kate Jones) to help with the scoring for the under 13’s. Kate enjoyed it SO much that she went on to do the UKCC 1 Coaches course in November.
This season, we are hoping to find another couple of parents to volunteer to help out with the under 11’s and under 13’s teams by offering to do the scoring........please!
Some of you may recall that the under 11’s lost a very close Cup match because we didn’t have a responsible parent to help with the scoring.
Having an adult/parent to help with the scoring is a great help to the Coaches and the players. If you would be prepared to volunteer and want to learn how easy it is to score and play a part in supporting our Juniors, please let us know at the start of the season. You don’t need any previous cricketing knowledge or experience. Kate and ‘Albert’ will happily explain it all and show you how it’s done.
We are also hoping that more parents will follow Kate’s lead and put themselves forward for the UKCC 1 Coaches qualification.
This award enables you to assist any Level 2/3 Coaches and teach basic cricket skills. You don’t need to be an ex-cricketer. Just have an interest in helping to coach and develop Junior cricketers. Have a word with Kate about what the course entails and she thinks it will benefit her and our Juniors. Please speak to Steve Watkins, Kay or ‘Albert’ if you would like to take this qualification. Usk CC is prepared to fund the full costs of the course. You need only to commit a couple of Saturdays to attending the course. Please think about it.

Structure
As already mentioned, we are very lucky to have the services of Steve Watkins as Coach again this year. He will be supported fully by Huw, Albert, Freddy, Rob and Kate whenever possible, and also by some of the Senior players (hopefully).
Kay Peacock will once again be coordinating all the organisation and administration for the Juniors.
We plan to have a ‘Team Manager’ / Coach for each team too. Subject to confirmation, it is planned as follows:
Under 11’s – Rob and ‘Albert’
Under 13’s – ‘Albert’
Under 15’s – awaiting confirmation of numbers to see if viable to enter a team this year
Under 17’s – ‘Freddy’
So, in conclusion, let’s hope and pray for a full season of uninterrupted, competitive and fun cricket this Summer!
‘Albert’ and Kay
 
Contact numbers:
Kay Peacock –  01291 672847 (home) or 07931 523651 (mobile)
‘Albert’ -  01291 675479 (home) or 07971 369697 (mobile)
‘Freddy’ -   07766 745809 (mobile)