THE ALLEYNIAN 708 | OUT OF THE ORDINARY
THE ALLEYNIAN 708 | OUT OF THE ORDINARY
SPORT
CRICKET RICHARD COUGHTRIE
I write this report on a warm Saturday morning in late spring which, in normal times, would be the day of our first competitive block fixture against Tonbridge School. However, the lockdown has challenged us to deliver a programme that allows boys to engage in cricket, notwithstanding these very different circumstances. When it became apparent over the Easter holidays that we were heading for a prolonged period of distance learning, we embarked on putting together a cricket programme with which boys would be able to engage no matter what their skills level or what facilities were available to them. James Clark and Adam Riley (on whom more below) produced a number of innovative training videos containing a variety of exercises that boys could use to help improve their skills, with a different focus each week. We also created a quiz for boys who wanted to test their cricketing knowledge, and encouraged them to watch, and reflect on, a number of classic cricket matches. In addition, we were very fortunate to be joined for two fascinating Q and A sessions by top-level cricketers: Chris Jordan (OA), who plays cricket for England and has featured in both the IPL and Australia’s Big Bash League, and England One Day International Captain, Eoin Morgan, who spent a brief period at Dulwich College in 2001. Eoin shared his thoughts on how to balance sporting and academic aspirations, as well as giving an insight into what life is like in a World Cup Final dressing room during a super over. Engagement from the boys was nothing short of superb; I hope that they are able to get out onto the beautifully manicured fields at Dulwich College soon, and play the game that we all enjoy so much. Looking back to the Michaelmas term, boys throughout the College were involved in the winter training programme in impressive numbers. Junior School boys attended ‘Cricket Nation’, led by the enthusiastic James Clark. This programme aims to increase players’ skills in the hope that they will develop a lifelong enjoyment of cricket as well as becoming successful cricketers for the College. Boys in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools have been able to take part in weekly training sessions after school, as well as taking part in small group sessions led by Adam Riley. Adam was appointed to the College in November as Head of Player Development, replacing Bill Athey, who left the College last July, and I would
W E E M B A R K E D O N P U T T I N G T O G E T H E R A C R I C K E T P R O G R A M M E W I T H W H I C H B O Y S W O U L D B E A B L E T O E N G A G E N O M A T T E R W H A T T H E I R S K I L L S L E V E L O R W H A T F A C I L I T I E S W E R E A V A I L A B L E T O T H E M
like to say my own personal thanks to Bill for his significant contribution to Dulwich College Cricket. Adam joins us having recently come to the end of a professional cricket career with Kent County Cricket Club, where he represented the 1st XI on 124 occasions over all formats of the game; he is currently completing his ECB Level 3 coaching qualification.
A number of boys at the College are currently involved with county age-group programmes: Robbie Keaton (Year 10), Eddie Ronay (Year 8), Edward Brydon (Year 7) and Roan Kennedy (Year 6) with Surrey County Cricket Club’s programme, and Lucas Brown (Year 9) with Kent County Cricket Club’s programme. There has already been a substantial decrease in the number of fixtures that were due to take place, as representative and touring sides have understandably had to cancel matches. However, with luck, the guidance that we receive from the ECB will allow recreational cricket to return as soon as the school lockdown has finished.
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