Club Captain's Comments

Last season was highly successful, but that only makes this season even more of a challenge. On taking over the Club Captain’s chair my first thought was how we could help you as players to meet these challenges in the best possible way.

Consequently the team captains have met and agreed to a number of initiatives designed to help. We are fortunate this year to have the brand new function of the ECB sponsored Cricket Development Officer (Richard Myers), which will help us deliver in the preparation area.

Broadly speaking we all believe that we need to get smarter, more focused and more prepared which has led to the following main activities:

• Selection Policy and guidelines are made transparent and clear to all, in a fair manner
• We will use technology to manage Selection – everyone with Web access will be able to see their own selection each Tuesday morning and also post their own availabilities – Voice and Text remains for those who do not use the Web.
• Additional Net practice sessions have been booked – we need you there otherwise they cost the club in monetary and playing ability terms.
• Unlike previous years these Net sessions will be organised in terms of basic skills and separated into ability groups. Outdoor Nets will work the same way.
• Club coaches will be organised to help on a group and on an individual basis – Individual Mentors are intended to be available for anyone who wants them

This new page is intended to give everyone all the information that they need when playing for Alton – please also see the individual Captains’ pages – and comments and suggestions to improve themare welcomed.

Remember, we need to prepare to win, not fail to prepare – just warm up slowly.

The Old ‘UN

ACC – From the Captains’ table - February 2007

Last season was an extremely successful season in terms of results, league status and promotions that we should all be very proud of contributing to.

1.Challenges

However Season 2007 will, because of that and the generally higher standards we face, be a very much harder challenge and need us all to be at the very height of our games as well as concentrating on gaining every last point.

When faced with better competition it is worth looking at last years performance as a guide – the following table explains that:

• Only 14 of our players got into the league averages overall
• 6 Batsmen – a worryingly low number that badly needs improving on.
• 8 Bowlers – a pretty good performance, but needs to be matched this year
• Only 1 batsman exceeded the par performance levels of the top 20 - Damage
• Only two other top order batsmen averaged over 30 – 3 with me I suppose, but over 50’s can only be a bonus really.
• 5 bowlers exceeded the par performance levels of the top 20 – slow is beautiful!

------!!!!!!------Insert table in here------!!!!!------

What this really means is that we are generally under the performance levels of our peer group LY and facing higher standards this year.

We have no need to panic – Alton CC has the talent of that there is no doubt – it simply means we need to address the following.

• To be better prepared
• To commit as much as much as you are able to continuous improvement.
• To start preparation earlier
• To make the most of what resources we have
• To get organised
• To focus on specific skills and roles in the team
• To continue to work on our games all season
• To concentrate on applying those skills in every game.

2.Two Major Initiatives:

To help us with this we have two major initiatives organised as follows.

A.Strategic Planning and individual Roles

Your Captains have agreed to a plan where we will work to establish and agree individual roles for everyone within each team – this is intended to:

1. Enable everyone to know exactly how they contribute
2. Enable everyone to practice specific skills
3. Get maximum performance levels
4. Make selection more transparent and predictable.
5. Enable Team Captains to create the right strategic plans.

As an example there are many types of Batsmen (Attacking, Assertive, Accumulating, Defending) and we seek the right mix of each for each team.

Likewise there are several types of Bowlers (Fast, Medium, Slow, Right / Left Arm) and the right mix is necessary here also.

Each Team Captain should know what to expect from each team member, so that he can plan or re-act to meet each situation in the best way possible – also to ensure that each player is properly used and gets best value from their subscription!

B.Practice – Pre-season Nets and Outdoor practice

This year we have a new Club Officer – the Cricket Development Officer (CDO) who is part of an ECB sponsored programme that the Hampshire Crocket Board subscribe to. We are fortunate that Richard Myers has taken this post.

We are doubly fortunate in that this allows the Cricket Committee to set up the initiatives above with a good chance of success – main items in this area being:

• Focussed and formatted net practice – main points of benefit being:
  • Ten Thursday evening Nets are set aside for the he 1st XI squad and will be separate to other players’ practice, so they will get the focus they need. 22nd Feb – 26th April.
  • Seven Tuesday evening Nets are set aside for other players who will get the practice they need at their own levels 27th March – 8th May.
  • Net lanes will be separated into various disciplines and abilities i.e. a “Fast” lane, a “Slow” lane and a “Bowling Machine” .
  • The fourth lane may be used for individual coaching sessions.
• Best use of coaches and other resources:
  • Richard will allocate all qualified coaches to both sessions
  • He will also use other experienced people for coaching and advice
  • Fitness and fielding coaching will be available
  • External coaches may be used where necessary
• In this way we seek to provide both Individual and/or Team focussed training at appropriate levels and in an effective way
• Gone are the days of a quick bash and mixed abilities being used / abused in the same nets.
• Practice will have a purpose and a focus
• The above approach and focus continues during Outdoor Nets from mid April throughout the season

Please note: the Net bookings cost the Club a good deal of money – we need you to commit in numbers and contribute towards the cost, albeit pretty small sums.

3.What we need from you

What we have in mind is a more professional mind set and focussed approach – always keeping in mind that this is a hobby. However, we would hope that everyone wants to do their best and is not over keen on losing.

Consequently we are asking for support in a few key and simple areas, as follows:

• Understand the rationale behind “Roles in the Team” and buy into agreeing what is the best for you with your Team Captain. Your Captains have committed to properly using players in their agreed roles
• Practice your role(s) as assiduously and as often as possible
• Get prepared - start early.
• Prepare for the season starting with Indoor Nets – commit to them by buying a block of sessions on a pre-pay basis – between £2 / £3 per session.
• Work with your Captain and the CDO to establish what precise practice you need – and when.
• Keep it going during the season.
• Play as often as you can
• When you play concentrate on the detail and skills learnt. Every point counts.

4.What we will do for you:

If you are prepared to commit to Alton CC, the Cricket Committee will commit likewise and will provide an open and transparent set of guidelines covering what we do and how we do it.

In this way every club member can see where they fit in and how they will be treated. The main items are covered here