Participant Requirements
This programme requires all participants to be fit and able to join a project of this nature.
Programme Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum age decided upon potential participant’s health
Cricket Training Programme
The programme has been designed to offer a unique cricketing experience, for someone looking to learn from those who have played and achieved at the highest level of the sport. With an ACB (Australia Cricket Board) Level 3 coach, you will have daily training and practise sessions, with opportunities to have mentoring sessions with other cricketing greats.
Coach and Guest Coaches
Peter Philpot is the head coach for the programme, responsible for coordinating your training sessions and meetings with the guest coaches. He is an ACB Level 3 accredited coach and has coached or been part of the coaching set up for Australia, Sri Lanka and at County Cricket level in England. He played a number of tests for Australia as a leg-spin bowler, taking 5 for 90 on his debut against England. Having coached and played at the highest level, there are few coaches with his coaching experience and skills.
The guest coaches include:
Doug Walters – a legend of Australian cricket, Doug Walters was reputed to be a player who could drink all night and score test centuries the following day, sometimes double centuries! He played for Australia in 74 test matches, scoring 15 centuries, 33 50’s and a highest of 250.
Bob Simpson – he played for Australia in 62 test matches that spanned a 21 year period from 1957 to 1978. He managed to captain Australia before eventually becoming their coach, winning the World Cup and the Ashes under his management. He was the Australia coach for 10 years!
Brian Booth – a former international for Australia, Brian Booth played a number of tests in the early 60’s, captaining Australia on a couple of occasions.
Barry Knight – a former England international, Barry Knight played for England from 1961 to 1969. He played in 29 test matches and played his County Cricket for Essex. After moving to Australia, he became a successful coach and nurtured talents like Alan Border.
You will have mentoring seminars with each of these coaches (some may not be present for all sessions) on the Wednesday of weeks 1, 3 and 5.
Individual Programme
Over the 5-week programme, academy members will be responsible for sticking to their own training programme. Working with the coach, each player has a training logbook in order for their development to be more measurable and their progress realistic. The training will cover the following areas:
- Cricket specific fitness training
- Spin bowling skills focusing on target and ball revolution
- Bowling machine sessions to improve batting and wicket keeping
- Fielding skills and fielding practice drills
- Pace bowling development – looking at bowling action, run up etc
- Video analysis of player’s techniques – there will be at least one video session during the programme
- Group net sessions with other academy players
Local Cricket Club
During your programme, you will represent a local cricket club in Sydney, playing in the open grade level or for Manly 1st or 2nd team, depending on your ability and current form. Tuesdays and Thursdays are club-training nights, so you will have every opportunity to show your skills in time for selection. Sundays are rest or personal training days. A mid-week friendly will be arranged each week in order to increase your match experience.
After the Programme
If you wish to stay in Sydney and play the remainder of the cricket season in Australia, this is possible. Our local coordinator can place you with a local team (team is dependant on your level) and help you to arrange accommodation. Accommodation typically costs UAD$1500/month (approx. £600).
Extra Activities
Included in your programme are a number of free time activities to keep you occupied and to help you experience the many things Australia can offer. These are scheduled trips that you and other members of the academy programme will be part of and include:
- Pura Cup Matches, ING Cup Matches and Sydney Premium grade cricket. (Dates and number of tickets to be advised once the itineraries of these tournaments are available.)
- Self-drive boat fishing trip
- Entrance to Ocean World
- Sea Kayaking There are many other tourist activities you can partake in during your time in Sydney, including trips to the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley (famous for its wine), the many beaches (such as Bondi, Coogee and Bronte), surf lessons and so much more.
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation facilities includine:
- Bathroom/shower
- TV lounge/communal area with a DVD player, Sky television, broadband internet and a telephone
- BBQ area
The college, a former Catholic school, is considered to be one of the most remarkable buildings in Sydney, behind the Opera House. Today, the building is used as the International College of Management and receives hundreds of students each year. It will act as a great base to the academy players, with lots of space and other facilities for you to enjoy.
Some meals are provided during the programme. On training days, a light lunch will be provided before the afternoon session. On days when players have the cricket seminars with the guest coaches, a BBQ will be provided. Students will need to cater for themselves for the remaining meals, which can be done cheaply from the nearby supermarkets and restaurants.
Orientation
All players at the start of their programme will have a full orientation with the head coach, to give them a breakdown of the programme itinerary and to introduce important details regarding the local area i.e. location of banks, shops, free-time activities etc. If the students have any important questions or further requirements, the orientation is a great opportunity to ask the academy coach.
You will also receive a Sydney Discover travel pass, which will give you unlimited access to the ferries, buses and local rail services for a whole week. The transportation system is very good in Sydney and it’s a great way to get around and see what this amazing city has to offer.
Programme Support
Throughout your programme, you will have the support and supervision of our Academy Coach. He is fully qualified and experienced, and able to provide you with all the instructional and safety support necessary on a programme like this. He will also provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
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