NCU

The NCU has recently secured investment from Department for Communities as part of a Sport Development Legacy programme.  An element of the investment will support coach development across NCU pathway and grassroots programmes, with some emphasis on developing girls and women's cricket.  As a result of the investment, 5 pathway coaches and 5 grassroots coaches as well as Simon Johnston, Northern Knights Head Coach and NCU Pathway Coach, will travel to Surrey County Cricket Club this weekend.

The pathway coaches, Stephen Dyer, Steven Crothers, Andrew Cowden, Tim Simmonite and Regan West will spend Sunday at the George Abbott School in Guildford, one of Surrey CCC pathway venues, observing and being involved in Surrey CCC Elite Player Programme junior training sessions, having the opportunity to get involved and gain further insight which they can bring back to NCU Pathway programmes they currently lead.

On Monday and Tuesday of next week, Callum Atkinson, Wayne Hughes, Staci Maxwell, Charlotte Lyons and Mike Grossett will visit three venues, the Ben Hollioake Learning Centre at the Kia Oval, St Andrews School in Cobham and Kings Oak School in New Malden to observe and be involved in key sessions as part of Surrey CCC's participation programme.  An excellent opportunity to gain new ideas that they can take into their grassroots development and coaching programmes across clubs and schools within the NCU.

Uel Graham, NCU Operations Manager is leading the co-ordination and delivery of the visit.  Uel will be engaging with the grassroots and pathway coaches to ensure they share their learning throughout the NCU grassroots development and pathway environments.  This will enable the NCU to provide a longer-term legacy for development following this brilliant investment opportunity. 

The NCU will also seek to continually improve the Regional Development Programme for girls and boys, building upon the success of the recent Regional Camps in October and November which saw record numbers of boys and girls participating.

Commenting on this initiative, Angela Platt, NCU General Manager said 'we are deeply indebted to Department for Communities for their support in this ground-breaking opportunity for the NCU.

In December 2019, we were delighted this DfC investment enabled Stephen Frost (Lancashire CCC) and Matthew Spriegel (Surrey CCC) to facilitate Specialist Workshops for our boys and girls Academy programmes and our coaches at UUJ. These knowledge development visits to Surrey for some of our grassroots and pathway coaches are the next step in our coach development journey.

The NCU are also thankful to Matthew Spriegel (Performance Manager, Surrey CCC) for arranging the Pathway sessions and to Kim Price (Cricket Participation Manager, Surrey CCC) for their collaboration to put this opportunity in place.

Undoubtedly the coaches will gain further insight at one of the best youth programmes in England and share that knowledge when they return as the NCU deliver more programmes for schools and clubs than ever before.

In addition to the trip, the DfC investment has also contributed to new coaching equipment and clothing for those delivering across DfC funded initiatives.'