Six schools in the Amble area are taking part in a 10-week cricket coaching programme, which is part of a partnership aiming to offer cricket coaching to over 30,000 children in the North East and Cumbria over three years.
As part of this programme, staff from the schools have taken part in a “Cricket for teachers” session aimed at developing the cricket activity delivered by school staff in the future. The session, delivered by Northumberland Cricket Board, develops cricket coaching technique, but also gives teachers hints and tips about coaching cricket. Teachers were also given resources to take back to their schools to spread the game of cricket.
The programme focuses on teaching the basics of cricket as well as developing technical skills, such as batting, bowling and fielding over a 10-week period. At the end of the scheme a cricket festival is held, where participating schools visit a local Cricket Club to compete in a kwik-cricket tournament. All participants are then invited to a Durham Dynamos FLt20 match in the summer to receive their certificate from a Durham player on the Emirates Durham ICG pitch.
Richard Hopper, Manager of the Durham County Cricket Foundation, said: “The cricket coaching sessions have been a real success with the young people, but the cricket for teachers element to the programme gives a real lasting impact. By giving school staff skills and resources we have been able to give many more young people a quality cricket experience that will hopefully engage them in the sport for years to come”
As well as this activity with schools in Amble, Durham County Cricket Foundation’s Grassroots Sport cricket coaching programme in partnership with Tesco is delivering these “Cricket for Teachers” modules in Gateshead, Washington and Crook. This project is part of Durham County Cricket Foundation’s core activity as the Foundation aims to provide inspiration, motivation and raised self-esteem to children in local communities using the power of sport, and to emphasise the importance of healthy living and being involved in physical activity.
Tesco corporate affairs manager, Doug Wilson, said: “Tesco is proud to sponsor the Grassroots Sports Programme to encourage children to lead an active lifestyle. By delivering the Cricket for Teachers modules we hope to raise the standards of cricket coaching in schools to enhance the long term cricket provision in schools, giving many more young people the positive experience of cricket and giving a lasting legacy to schools.”
If you would like any further information on the Foundations Tesco-Grassroots Sport Programme or about Durham County Cricket Foundation please contact Richard Hopper on e-mail: richard.hopper@durhamccc.co.uk or (0191) 387 2816.