Cricket Diary: ECB Coaching Foundation Course

Back in November 2020, on the 1st to be exact, I attended Day One of the ECB Coaching Foundation Course. Pretty much the first thing they told us was that Day Two scheduled for the 15th was ‘on hold’ due to the latest Government COVID-19 restrictions.

At the time I was a little surprised as I thought (and said) that the ECB Coaching Foundation Course was educational and under the restrictions in place at the time could still go ahead.

Was a little ironic, but hugely welcome, to receive this email last week:

Just to let you know that the ECB have given us permission to run Coach Development courses indoors as it is classed as education and therefore we will be running Day 2 of the course on Sunday 18th April at Clayton Sports Centre, Newcastle Under Lyme, commencing at 10am. This will enable the course to be completed and can only apologise for the delay, which has been outside of our control.

ECB Coaching Foundation Course Email

It does make you wonder how many other ‘things’ got delayed or postponed unnecessarily because of the ambiguity of the Governments guidelines throughout this pandemic.

But joyful times are on the brink of returning and the timing is great: although the County Season will have started neither Warwickshire or Yorkshire are at home that weekend (I am still optimistic that members will be allowed in on a trial basis subject to being vaccinated – which ‘we’ i.e. parents, Sands and myself have been, and negative COVID-19 tests – I have a supply at home so we can do these as required as we look at reentry to the world!), and neither Penkridge or Barlaston have a game scheduled that day – although I can’t assume I will be selected for either for some time as I need to establish myself.

I have no specific plans as yet as to what I will do with the ‘qualification’ once I have it: Penkridge offered to pay for the course if I coached the juniors which I am interested in, but I do not need them to pay for the course. I am keen to see if I can get something going with the YMCA and Merit PRU, but will have to wait until COVID-19 is under control and we can start to plan things like that.

I enjoyed the first day of the course: so far everything has been well presented, well thought through and relevant. I will certainly look to do the Level 2 and First Aid courses as soon as possible. I have done my preparation for Day Two, but need to go over it again nearer the course date, and I already have my eye on (yet more) merchandise!!!

For now though everything seems to be heading in the right direction and momentum (as well as anticipation) is rising.

Thank You

Gray-Nicolls are generously providing financial support to this diary and my return to cricket for the 2021 Season.