2
Chairman’s Welcome
CHAIRMAN’S
WELCOME
W
elcome to the 2018 issue of
Coaching Insight. As you will
see, 2017 has been significant for the
ECB Coaches Association.
The well attended round of Regional
Forums in March focused on the
continuing delivery of the minimum
activity by local associations to their
members. The strategy is now in its
fourth year, and has increased the
support to CAs, from active ones to
those that were on the verge of
disappearing. The impact has been
positive and rewarding for all
concerned and has given the local
associations a very clear purpose in
supporting their members, as well as
identifying areas where help is
needed.
July saw the appointment of John
Neal as Head of Coach Development –
welcome progress, but overdue. I
believe that coaching has not been
served well by a long, drawn out ECB
restructure. However, we are indebted
to the staff and to the volunteers who
support them, that have kept things
going, especially over the last two
years. I make particular mention of
David Gallagher, who, as ECB CA
Manager, has both helped devise
strategy and worked to deliver it, as
well as support all CA activity and
resources to members. He has been
invaluable to us.
We also gathered at St George’s Park
in October for our National
Conference. A change of venue, timing
and flexibility of attendance were a
welcome refreshment of format, and
although it was well attended, it was
disappointing that it wasn’t sold out.
The quality of speakers and venue,
along with the cherished “fellowship”
of coaches that this event brings,
means that it is both an inspiration to
attend and an ongoing resource for
coaches. I thought it one of the best
conferences that we’ve staged and
unless these events are better
supported there may not be any
others. I am very grateful to David
Gallagher and Martyn Kiel for
organising it, and to all those who
helped with the weekend. I would also
like to thank those CAs and boards
who supported their coaches in
attending – recognition that an event
like this has a positive impact on both
the playing and performance of
cricket in the counties. An investment
in coaching and coaches is an
investment in the playing of the game.
I must also express my gratitude to
Gordon Lord who left ECB in April
after more than 25 years. He has been
an enthusiastic supporter of and wise
friend to the CA, along with so many
people in coaching. He laid strong
foundations for coach education and
coach development, and cricket was
fortunate to have someone whose
standing across sport in general is
formidable. Like so many others, I am
forever grateful for both his personal
and professional support over many
years, and he has our most sincere