Current Information
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Letter confirming current details and practice
arrangements |
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Guidance Notes for Academy players |
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Running
order for winter nets |
The Academy so far...
Click
here for a detailed record of the performances and progress of all those who
have taken part in the BCC Junior Academy up to 2006. (This is a large file
which may take some time to load).
2007 Season Report
October 2006 saw the 6th intake into the Brooklands Junior
Cricket Academy. The Academy still remains the pinnacle of achievement for lads
in the junior set up at Brooklands and selection brings with it a recognition of
a players ability from the coaches as well as an expectancy that the lads will
commit to cricket and look to develop their game and push on up the senior
ranks. In future seasons the Academy will respond to the changing needs of the
club and will be trimmed to just 12 boys this coming winter.
When the season begins every year, all of the Academy lads have had a winter
working on their game and their fitness. They will all have expectations of
themselves and us of them. Those targets might be to ‘establish myself in the
2nd XI’ or ‘make tentative steps in to the senior game through the 5th XI’. It
might be to score a senior 50 or take a senior 5 for, whatever it is each
individual player has a target in mind when the season begins. Striving to
achieve or better these targets is a major driving force in the concept of the
Academy. From our coaching perspective our targets are more about improvement in
technique demonstrated by better performances and hopefully performing at a
higher level than previously. We look to see if boys are working on weaknesses
in their game and showing the essential improvements to be successful at higher
standards and with that goes the strength of character which is also vital.
Bowling against higher quality batsmen who hit poor bowling ruthlessly tests a
player’s heart as well as technique and both are needed to be successful.
Similarly batting against good bowlers who bowl length and line all the time
(and with good fielders) also tests more than just technical ability.
This season has been a difficult one due to bad weather and also exam
commitments for many which has hindered playing and training but there have been
some notable successes. A J Hart and Mike Roberts have established themselves as
1st XI cricketers, joining the already well established ex academy boys Dave
Madden, Tom Holloway, Rob Wood and Chris Hart (Chris and Dave also captained the
team). In the 2nd XI Elliot Woodage, Steve Johnson, John Pearson and Rob
Holloway have all been fundamental to the success of the team. Will Pidgeon, Dan
Darbyshire, Paul Clowes, Ollie Bristowe and Sean Zurawski have also figured. In
the 3rds Ollie Bowden has established himself and performed alongside many of
the lads mentioned above. A good number of boys have played the odd 3rd team and
more frequent 4th and 5th team games. There are some very good signs for the
future, this combined with continued commitment and drive by the lads should
ensure more consistent performances that have not necessarily come to fruition
this season.
A number of notable milestones have been reached. Elliot Woodage, Doug Whyley
and Mike Roberts have all achieved that rarest of things – a century in senior
cricket. Well done to you 3. John Pearson also came agonisingly close a couple
of times. There have also been 5 for’s for Mike Roberts and Steve Johnson.
Steve’s in particular being of the highest order as it came in a cup semi final.
It has been said by many, within the club and outside, that the success of a
club is determined by its first team and whether that is 100% true or not it is
true that the ultimate aim of the academy is to produce first team cricketers.
Since the academy started a number have come through and undoubtedly more are
emerging who will make that step up. However, it does not just happen and anyone
with 1st team aspirations needs to be aware of the commitment and application
needed to get there. Even those with lesser expectations still need to put
effort in to achieve the best they can. Many have shown those qualities but not
all, a handful need to look at their own commitment and decide just what they
want to achieve in playing cricket. Missing half the practice nights and being
unavailable for 6 or more weekends does not demonstrate the keenness and
commitment we are looking for.
In summary, whilst there are learning points for both coaches and players, we’ve
had another successful year for Academy players. Finally, we look forward to
working on producing cricketers that can help put the club back where it
belongs.
Pete Staley, Roy Higginbottom & Jim Harper
2007
The 6th cycle of the Brooklands Junior Cricket Academy scheme
began again on November 3rd 2006.
For 5 sessions (10 hours) before Christmas the squad found themselves in the
‘technical phase’ of preparations. Each player was videoed, either batting or
bowling, or in some cases both. They would have there game analysed, and from
this analysis some key areas of improvement would come to light. The players
would then be encouraged to work on these areas of improvement during the
following 4 net practices.
After Christmas the squad continue in the ‘technical phase’ for a few weeks. The
squad re convenes on Tuesday January 30th. The group will be videoed again
February 6th and 13th, video analysis will again take place and the ‘technical
phase’ will finish until Tuesday 27th of February.
The ‘preparation’ phase of cycle begins Tuesday March 6th and continues until
the indoor sessions end on March 27th. During this phase the emphasis shifts
from working on individual techniques and improving your game to making sure
that each individual is ready for the next stage of the season which is the
‘performance phase’.
Over the Easter break on the weekend of 14th of April the squad will get
together outside and finish the ‘preparation phase’ with a session at Brooklands.
The ‘performance phase’ i.e. the season begins in earnest on April 21st and runs
all the way through to the end of the season.
Towards the end of the ‘performance phase’ in August there is an under 15s tour
which the appropriate Academy lads are invited and in late August there is the
annual 2 day test match that all Academy lads are invited to play in.
Every other year the ‘preparation’ phase ends with the tour to Malta. The tour
provides the chance to finalise preparations in sunny weather, on good pitches
in anticipation of the season.
Since the Academy concept was launched 51 players have been in the squad. Of
those 51, as I write only 9 have stopped playing for Brooklands CC. All those 9
played senior cricket so the Academy has produced 51 players that have played
senior cricket since inception.
2007 Squad
R Daley
S Johnson
M Lloyd
W Mitchell
J Pearson
M Roberts
D Whyley
E Woodage
D Darbyshire
W Pidgeon
G Drakonakis
S Zurawski
O Bowden
P Clowes
L Maitra
A J Hart
R Holloway
M King
C Canning
D Halkon
(subject to acceptance of place).
About the Academy
2006 Squad
Chris Canning
Will Cooper
Richard Daley
Paul Garnett
Dan Halkon
A J Hart
Rob Holloway
Tom Holloway
Steven Johnson
Matthew King
Max Lloyd
Wills Mitchell
John Pearson
Mike Roberts
Pat Roberts
Doug Whyley
Lewis Windebank
Elliot Woodage
Sean Zurawski
Dan Darbyshire
Joe Burgis
Will Pidgeon
George Drakonakis
Congratulations to the new players
selected in the squad and well done and thank you to the six academy
‘graduates’.
2005 squad
Will Cooper
Richard Daley
Alex Etherington
Paul Garnett
Matthew Guy
Daniel Halkon
A J Hart
Chris Hart
Tom Holloway
Rob Holloway
Steven Johnson
Matthew King
Tom Mitchell
Wills Mitchell
Jonathan Pearson
Antony Platt
Mike Roberts
Pat Roberts
Doug Whyley
Rob Wood
Elliott Woodage
The reserve squad, made up of players likely to play senior cricket in 2005 is
(5):
Lewis Windebank
Chris Canning
Max Lloyd
Sean Zurawski
Joe Burgis
Selection into the academy is a huge honour and brings with it
responsibilities and expectations. All players in the academy squad are asked to
abide by the ‘minimum criteria’ which can be found below.
Academy minimum criteria
Selection into the Brooklands Cricket Academy brings with it many
responsibilities and commitments. By accepting your place you are telling us
that you want to show a:
• significant commitment to the development of your game.
• desire to play senior cricket.
• commitment to Brooklands Cricket Club as a whole.
The Academy is an all-year-round scheme. This year however, some boys who
haven’t had a break from Academy cricket for 3 years will be rested from the pre
Christmas nets. For those invited, and eventually for every one involved, the
items listed below should be viewed as minimum criteria. If you do not feel that
you can realistically meet some of the criteria below then you must discuss
these problems with Pete or Roy ASAP.
OUT OF SEASON
1) Attendance at practice is compulsory unless previously agreed with
Pete or Roy. Attendance at practice is likely to be used as a ‘tie breaker’ when
selecting teams during the season.
2) Attitude to practice also plays a major part in the Academy. The
reason you have been selected for the Academy is because you want to develop
your game in senior cricket. Success in junior cricket is taken as a ‘given’.
What makes you successful in junior cricket will not necessarily make you
successful in senior cricket, so you have to agree to work hard at putting in
place the tools you will need to equip you for senior cricket.
3) Once the pre season age group nets have started Academy practice
should take preference over age group practice. If a player chooses to practice
in their age group they must carry on practicing what they are being asked to
work on with the Academy. It’s an essential part of the scheme that you practice
good habits at ALL times during the winter. There is no point in us identifying
a weakness and working on it, if when the player appears at age group nets he
decides to adopt a ‘slog fest’ approach or practices something different i.e.
slow bowler bowls medium pace.
Pre Christmas nets will be at Sale Grammar School on Friday evenings (dates
and times to follow). Pre-season nets will be on a Wednesday evening 6 – 7 at
Old Trafford Indoor Centre from early February. Fitness training on Tuesday
nights will also be in the programme.
DURING THE SEASON
4) Every academy cricketer is considered available for ALL senior games
(Saturdays and Sundays), holidays and school work aside about which you must let
us know in advance. Ideally we would want you to be available for Saturday
cricket so, if you do have a weekend job and it is possible to choose between
Saturday and Sunday we would hope that you would opt for the Sunday Job.
5) Team selection takes place every Monday (except bank holidays) during
the season @ 7.30pm.
6) COMMUNICATION IS VITAL. If you cannot play for any reason please make
Pete or Roy aware of this BEFORE teams are selected for the weekend your
unavailability relates to.
7) We understand that the Cricket season falls during the summer holidays
and exam season, and exams/school work clearly is of fundamental importance, but
we do hope that you will not miss too many weekends as a result. Ideally we
would prefer that academy cricketers miss no more than 4 full weekends a season.
We are hopeful that boys will try their best to continue to play during exam
time. If you have the time to play only once a week this should be in a
competitive game.
8) If you are selected to play you will receive confirmation from Pete
telling you which team you are playing on and any further details relating to
the game by Wednesday evening. If you have not had a text by Wednesday evening
and you are unsure if you are playing or not it is YOUR responsibility to find
out.
9) Attendance at practice is compulsory unless previously agreed with
Pete or Roy. Attendance at practice will be used as a ‘tie breaker’ when
selecting teams during the season, as will willingness to play at short notice.
I.e. if player 1 and 2 are vying for the final place in a side the player who
has the better attendance record will usually get the nod.
10) If you cry off a game that you have been picked for you will
automatically be considered not available for the following weekend’s games. We
have in the past had to enforce this suspension but happily if anyone has fallen
foul of it doesn’t seem to happen again! At times it may seem tough if the
change is parent related or totally unforeseen but we feel it is necessary to
avoid the problems late cry offs can bring. Players who repeatedly ‘no show’ at
practice without informing Pete or Roy may also be suspended from senior
cricket.
11) Please re read criteria 2 and 3 as both these will apply during the
season.
12) Overplaying is a potentially important issue to be aware of. Where
this is deemed an issue for an individual, solutions would be agreed jointly by
the player, his parents and the age group manager in conjunction with Pete and
Roy. As we see it the player’s priorities would usually be:
A) Senior game will take priority over all other Brooklands Cricket.
‘The senior game should take priority as this is the highest possible standard
available to the cricketer’.
B) Age group junior game will always take priority over out of age group game OR
junior development team game.
For example if player A was selected to play in a Sunday senior game, an age
group Sunday morning game and a junior development team game and due to
overplaying issues he had to ‘drop’ a game he would prioritise the games:
1) Senior game
2) Age group junior game
3) Junior development team/out of age group game
The player in this case would ‘drop’ the development team/out of age group game.
This still means player A plays 2 games in one day, but, if player and players
parents are happy with this then there is no problem.
If 2 games in one day is a problem for player and parent then player A would
‘drop’ his age group junior game and play in the senior game. There may be
instances later in the junior season i.e. after the CCCL zone stage, where this
may not be appropriate dependent on the junior teams position in the league
standings.
13) Practice will take place EVERY Thursday evening from 6.00 – 8.30 and
even if its raining you should turn up.
Please remember selection for the Brooklands Junior Cricket Academy is a huge
honour and brings with it a lot of responsibilities and commitments, if you feel
you cannot give the time and dedication to the scheme (as detailed above) then
you should not accept your place on the scheme.
A lot of people put a lot of work in to ensure the smooth running of not only
the Academy but the club as a whole from planning practices through to team
selections and match days. We appreciate there will be some unusual situations
to deal with which don’t seem to fit easily in all the above but, all it takes
is a phone call or a simple chat with either Pete or Roy to sort things out.
‘COMMUNICATION IS VITAL’
IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE ABOVE DON’T HESITATE TO SPEAK WITH
PETE OR ROY.
Pete Staley and Roy Higginbottom, September 04.
Mark Chilton at Nets
Below are some pictures of Mark Chilton's visit to Brooklands Junior
nets in December 2004. Click on each picture to open a larger version in a new
window.
