Newsletter
2011 SEASON NEWS
Liked a recent comment made by a senior sportsman – who said –
“Let your attitude influence your game – not the game your attitude”
Thinking about mindset – do we believe it is possible to raise judgement skills? That should raise a keen debate!
And so: FANTASTIC NEWS – Virtually all current and previous coaching participants have moved toward achieving their personal goals.
Amongst these there are now
3 previously or currently appearing at England Age Group level.
1 who has gone forward to Regional England trials.
4 now appearing at either full or County 2nd XI level.
1 who has shown full commitment since last autumn and has been rewarded with County Youth selection – celebrating with a match half century. Since then a number of important scores have culminated in a match winning 93.
Another younger South London player has achieved his dream of 1st team selection at three levels of school, club and now county area.
1 Youth player with powerful credentials has just posted a League record of 160*
One of our teenage participants has just posted yet another not out 100. This one ‘en France’. “Il a frappe l’equipe francais avec des grand coupe hors du parc. Formidable n’est pas?”
One of our adult participants has been hitting his straps early with big scores resulting in important wins getting his team to the top of his County Premier League.
Finally how about a League score of 180 from the opening slot – batting right through the innings.
One popular and enjoyable Club holiday coaching week completed. The next is under way, with one to come.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE WITH YOUR GAME?
More good news will undoubtedly follow. . . . . . . . . .
Well the good news is an opening bowler who has won recognition with an England age group trial. We are pretty confident in his chances as not only is he technically gifted but importantly he has bags of mental strength, resilience and especially fiery fast bowler’s character.
Bowler’s are performing well. One ‘teenage’ County age group player has been sending the senior opposition batsmen packing in his League performances for a Premier Division club. Another who spent the winter re-modelling his action has had pain free cricket, moreover with good results.
The Batters are all going well also. The weather’s been kind hasn’t it! 3 more Centurions including one at top County level and a 16yr old who emulated his Ashes winning heroes with a Century against an Aussie side.
They’ve been flying, this past week – a County century – a teenager’s Kent League hundred – a great 160 by one of our adult (20 something) participants – a match saving Premier League 114 – a match winning school 1st team performance on a rain affected wicket followed by 3 for 23 of match winning spin – and 2 consecutive half centuries by a junior league player. A real step up for this youngster’s development together with his step up to county representative levels.
We’re always delighted with the regular updates from all our current (and former also) coaching participants. Keep the performance news coming everybody.
There’s very rarely any substitute for technical excellence
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL YOUNG LADY CRICKETERS
FEEDBACK EMPHASISES THE FOCUS, THE DEDICATION AND AMBITION NECESSARY TRULY TO ENJOY OUR WONDERFUL GAME. THE FUTURE IS EXCITING. WHY NOT BECOME AN INFLUENCING PART OF IT
The game of cricket is well suited to the technical and mental aptitudes shown by young lady cricketers and we are pleased to be working with an increasing number. One is playing at Senior County level and working hard in her ambition to move up to full England National Level
Worth a thought! Worth the Investment.
Here is a thought which we are coming across more and more often. Do you have a young cricketer who belongs to a Club Section, but does not seem to get as much opportunity as you (or he/she) would like. Important to respect the excellent work put in by all those Clubs around the South East with dozens of cricketers being coached in age groups one evening a week.
Yet with the best will in the world there is a finite amount of time which can be given to each individual within a group. In fact during a 1 to 2 hour practice session this may amount only to barely more than a few seconds of individual instruction as attention has to remain focused on the overall group.
We have calculated, for example, that in a tutoring style Willowmasters one to one batting session, the individual can easily bat for the equivalent of a 45 over innings. How much speed of development does that create.
Worth a thought! Worth the Investment.
THE 2010 SEASON
WITH SOME DECENT WEATHER THIS SEASON’S START HAS BEEN GOOD
The start included 4 hundreds + useful UCCE contributions.
The development phase has seen 3 more centuries and to date 18 half centuries, with one player already past his 1,000 for the season (that’s a 2nd).
How are you going?
In the current week of matches, can be added to the above a match winning 83 by a quality No 3 batsman. A young bowler making his way into 1st team cricket provides an influential match winning 3 – 18 spell. Finally one of our current crop of Uni players takes 4 good keeper catches.
The Autumn Glow!!
We are proud to report a wide rangeing group of keen cricketers who prepared themselves well and have played confidently during the seasons happy with the beneficial improvements to their game. Our coaching programmes have been carefully geared to suit each player level and devised alike for those ambitious for Representative County honours at both Junior and Professional level, those enjoying the game at either a League or a Leisure level, and to all colts age groups.
Give yourself the extra benefits with time available to work with our between-season programme as many are currently doing. Fine Tune for that crucial technical difference to enhance an enjoyably successful season.
Coaching Courses
Check out our Course Details page to keep yourself posted of our timetabled courses (and others which we believe relevant and compatible with our direction and your aspirations).
More and more people are booking up their coaching programmes. Get yourself a head start as well.
Success
Our Coaching Programmes and Courses across 5 clubs have all been extremely well received with good results and feedback. We have been indebted to the top coaching work from our level III coaches and our keen young county representative players. While reading this, consider the benefits which we could bring to your club, and phone or email us.
Note to Clubs
If you are a club looking to run a coaching programme for your seniors or a holiday course for juniors, give us a call. We can plan it with you or provide coaching staff at the appropriate level.
Alternatively – Give us a call if you are seeking extra coaches or coach cover.
Season’s Achievements
The honours diary for those who have engaged in Willowmasters Cricket Coaching personal talent development:
Batting
August 2009 Update
We’ve now had 4 centurions and a good collection of 50+ scores. So going well there.
July 2009 Update
So July has started with a bang for the batters. A quality match winning 100 against tough opposition and a big 80. A well paced quality 68 from a cultured young batsman against the top premier league side secures a good win last week. This week with the wicket affected by rain a captain’s fighting 50 secures an important win. Worthwhile to Reflect on the cricketer who despite scores of a hundred & several over 80s has committed himself to increase shot range and improve his current technique still further.
June 2009 Update
Another 100 – this time a big one. One guy has hit four 50’s. He now wants to go on so we’re working on that. One representative player has managed over 180 in three knocks – out once. Go on have a guess. Yep – run out. And our young player with the big average now has an even bigger one – his recent best being 79 not out. Oh and how about 97 not out – just losing strike off the last ball. Happy though. Wouldn’t we all take that at the beginning of the day!
May 2009 Update
Well we can now applaud two (league) century makers – always a strong ability indicator; an inaugural Half Century which was hugely pleasing to all concerned; and one young cricketer who has disciplined himself and concentrated sufficiently well as to earn and merit his batting average above 60
Early Season 2009
produced a big 80 and a 65 — both not outs and both match winning. We also had in reports of several not out 40’s — always a good way to begin the season. You know you can get to that point, so a touch more discipline + concentration and the milestones can begin to clock up. Keep up the good work and continue to benefit from your winter diligence.
Achievements
Of those batsmen passing through the Willowmasters coaching experience last year:
- There were 9 centuries (three being inaugural — do you also recall that great feeling of your first? — or perhaps better still was the one which gave you most pride or mattered the most — accomplished under pressure of conditions or match situation).
- There were 45 half centuries or more, with 12 in the 80’s and 90’s and — whisper it quietly — one 98 and a 99. OK, it’s only a run or two in the averages but the ultimate of three figures is irreplaceable.
Bowling
August 2009 Update
Better than a 5fer — one of our players has just completed a 6fer. Congratulations on a bowler able to move it off the pitch both ways.
Good progress is being made currently with a big left arm quick, a not quite so big but still quick left armer, and a left arm spinner. Interesting – all this Left handedness!
June 2009 Update
Not too much to report except that economy rates have mostly been decent with a consistency of wicket taking. But no “Michelle’s” or any other dishy figures! Hot Sun – Decent Pitches – Harder Work!
May 2009 Update
No ’5 fers’ yet, but a number of useful ’4 fers’
Season 2009
has produced a best of 6 for 28 which put the skids under & then bowled out the chasing side.
Last year’s bowlers enjoyed nine instances of ’5 fers’ There were three 6’s and one ’7 fer’
Keepers
Of course we all know they’re the hub of the wheel with the gift of the g_b and the sharpest spanners in the bag. Yes they’re working well and we’re enjoying working with them.