Coaches are crucial to the growth and development of cricket at all levels with in the Club. HPCC is committed to providing better and more qualified coaches through a support programme at all levels with high quality programmes of education and guidance.
In line with the ACA's objectives quality coaching at all levels will ensure:
• That all players have an enjoyable and rewarding cricketing experience and are retained in the game
• That talented players are developed to their potential
T• hat champion teams are produced
• The main aspects of HPCC's Coach Development Programme are:
• Coach the Coaches
• Coaching conferences
• Coach Mentors
• NZC Coaches Association
• Coaches Tips/Letters/Ask the Coach
• Director tips
• Resources
COACHES PATHWAY
An important aspect of the Coach Development Programme is running high quality coaching courses to up skill and educate coaches on both what to coach (the ‘science’) and how to coach (the ‘art’). New Zealand Cricket has a clear Coach Pathway which is aligned to the Player Pathway. We strongly advise that coaches complete the coaching qualification that is matched to the level of cricketers they are coaching and just as players advance through the Player Pathway, so do the coaches through the Coach Pathway.
At HPCC we encourage parents and volunteer supporters to become involved in coaching. To do this we recognise and support the efforts of our coaches and give them every opportunity to attend appropriate coach education courses. This will ensure that they are qualified to confidently and effectively deliver a high quality coaching programme to all players.
MILO Have-A-Go Cricket Coaching Course (2 hours, non-examinable)
This course is designed for the parents and coaches of children involved in the MILO Have-a-Go Cricket programme. This is the programme run primarily by clubs for 5-7 year olds, introducing these first-time cricketers to the game with an emphasis on fun, participation and skill development. The coaching course teaches the coaches how to run the programme effectively and comes with a free MILO Have-a-Go coaching manual.
MILO Kiwi Cricket Coaching Course (2 hours, non-examinable)
This course is designed for the parents and coaches of children involved in the MILO Kiwi Cricket programme. This is the programme run primarily by clubs for 7-10 year olds which reinforces and adds to the skills learned in the Have-a-Go programme as well as introducing young cricketers to the game of Kiwi Cricket. The coaching course teaches coaches how to run the programme effectively and comes with a free MILO Kiwi Cricket coaching manual.
Coaching a Cricket Team – (6 hours, non-examinable)
This course is the foundation coaching course for cricket in New Zealand. It is designed for the coach, parent, teacher or volunteer involved with organising and coaching junior and youth cricketers. It is particularly focused on the junior level with the introduction into hardball cricket but also caters for the beginner coach of older age groups. The course covers the science of coaching - basic techniques of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping - as well as the art of coaching - how to effectively communicate, plan and set up an environment that fosters the development of your players as both cricketers and people. The course cost is $20 which includes a copy of the NZ Cricket 'Coaching a Cricket Team' manual.
Level One Coaching Course – (17.5 hours, examinable)
This course combines practical sessions and personal study and is intended for those coaches committed to coaching. From October 2006 there will be a new curriculum introduced which will have a greater focus on the art of coaching (the how and the why), in particular an emphasis on an athlete-centred philosophy. As well, the course will be offering nationally recognised unit standards. Coaches will be able to cross credit the units they receive during the course with other tertiary studies as well as receiving a NZ Cricket certification.
Level Two Coaching Course – (35 hours, examinable)
This course is intended for serious coaches of 11-a-side teams who have an active coaching record and a commitment to coaching. It concentrates on detailed planning and evaluation, understanding and using the principles of biomechanics to coach, analyse and improve skills, and demonstrating an understanding of the coaching process and effective team coaching, including game tactics.
Level Three Coaching Course – (100 hours, examinable)
This course is by invitation only and is intended for elite coaches who have had a considerable period of successful coaching experience and a commitment to coaching at a high level.
Note
Level One, Two and Three coach qualifications require coaches to complete a minimum number of hours of active coaching. Level Two and Three coach qualifications are subject to regular updating. Updating activities include a practical coaching component, attendance and/or presentation at an appropriate level coaching or refresher course, membership of the New Zealand Cricket Coaches Association and regular attendance at their seminars and conferences.
PLAYER PATHWAY
From NZC website
Junior cricket is about fun, enjoyment, friendship, participation, skill development and competition. It is the foundation for New Zealand's main summer game.
Schools and clubs should provide appropriate opportunities for boys and girls to participate and enjoy cricket at their level of interest, ability and maturity. To do this schools and clubs need to implement and deliver cricket programmes which offer young cricketers a progression of clearly identifiable steps in terms of play, skill development and competitive challenge.
The player development pathway is a guide for best practice in schools and clubs - something to strive for and work towards. It focuses on putting children and young people first, on preparing them for the transition to youth cricket, and later adult cricket. They are cricket's grassroots, they are it's future.
To meet the needs of children and young people as they play and progress along the pathway, schools and clubs need to provide adequate facilities and encourage the involvement of teachers, parents and volunteer supporters as coaches and officials. Coaches in cricket are vital to the growth of the game and the development of our young cricketers.
PLAYER PATHWAY- STEPS
There are FIVE steps in the player development pathway that allow young cricketers to progressively acquire the skills and values of the game and to make the transition through youth to adult cricket. Young players progress along the pathway at varying rates.
• STEP 1 MILO HAVE-A-GO CRICKET
MILO have-A-Go Cricket is for beginners. It is pre-competition or nursery programme designed to introduce 6-8 year old boys and girls to the basic skills of cricket. The emphasis is on fun, participation and the learning of the essential skills of the game through a variety of activities, skill drills and minor games using safe, plastic equipment.
• STEP 2 MILO KIWI CRICKET
MILO Kiwi Cricket is for learners. It is a transition programme that provides an elementary competition and is designed to introduce 7-10 year old boys and girls to a simple modified version of the game. The emphasis is again on enjoyment, participation and the acquisition of further basic skills. Participants play with safe, plastic equipment and gain an awareness of the rudiments of the game of cricket.
• STEP 3 JUNIOR CRICKET
Junior Cricket is designed to introduce 9-13 year old cricketers to conventional ‘hard ball’ cricket. Opportunities are provided for participants who want to specialise in the game and require more intense, competitive challenges as well as those looking for more social and recreational experiences. The emphasis is still on enjoyment, participation and cricket skill acquisition as well as tactical awareness and a knowledge of scoring and umpiring. Improved facilities, structured competitions, talent identification and development, and representative opportunities have their beginnings at this level.
• STEPS 4/5 YOUTH and ADULT CRICKET
Youth and Adult Cricket are designed to meet the varied needs, interests and abilities of young people and adults. Opportunities are provided through secondary school and club competitions for participants who want to specialise in the game and require more intense, competitive challenges as well as those looking for more social and recreational experiences. Enjoyment, participation and more advanced skill development are still the emphasis along with the further development of tactical awareness, umpiring and scoring involvement and leadership possibilities. Better quality facilities, structured competitions, talent identification and extension, and district to international high performance opportunities are available at these levels.
Dipak our Director of Coaching has a pool of extremely talented coaches ranging from Level 1 through to Level 3, with a wide range of skills and experience. These coaches are always available to assist all club coaches with the view of improving the skills of our members. It is encouraged that coaches look for feedback and assistance from these more experienced coaches within the club.
Club coaches can get in contact with these specialist coaches through Dipak or your Grade Liaison Officer for any assistance or queries regarding coaching.