On Tuesday the 25th of February, the NCU launched its newest programme, the NCU Coaches Association (NCUCA), with 35 coaches from 18 clubs in attendance. This programme has been set up in association with Cricket Ireland and is being run in conjunction with the Cricket Ireland Coaches Association (CICA), which means that you will receive dual membership between the NCUCA and the CICA.

The purpose of the NCUCA is to support and raise the profile of the coaches within the union and provide them with as many opportunities to gain knowledge, experience and confidence through some of the many programmes that we are running, whilst also being a part of the larger support network through CICA as well. Members of the NCUCA will receive Coaches Insurance, key ECBCA and CICA resources and also be invited to specific workshops/events geared towards coaches in the NCU area.

On the evening itself, Nigel Jones (Cricket Ireland's Regional Development Officer in the NCU) and Stephen Moreton (Cricket Ireland's Coach Education Officer) provided the attendees with an overview of both CA's and Michael Hingston spoke about what resources will be specifically available to NCUCA Coaches. The coaches also filled out a feedback form to provide us with information on what information they would like to receive and what form they would like it to come in as well.

Finally, the evening was completed with a workshop session, which was organised by Andy McCrea (NCU Elite Coach) and Eugene Moleon (NCU Northern Knights Head Coach), for which the coaches took part and got to dissect "What a good coach looks like". The evening was a great success and we would like to thank all those who came along and were involved in the organising of the event as well.

Cost to become a member of the NCUCA/CICA, is a yearly annual fee of £35 and this is paid directly to Cricket Ireland. Membership forms and more information can be found by clicking on this link http://www.cricketireland.ie/get-involved/coaching/CICA and scrolling to the bottom of the page under the 'Download' section.

To find out more information on the NCUCA or becoming a member, please contact Michael Hingston via email at michael.hingston@cricketireland.ie or by phone on 07595 382 115.

Other Photos from the Launch Event: