Coaching Insight Volume 8 | Page 43

Developing Players long-term development and success of teams and organisations. One of the main drawbacks to this type of approach is time and facilities, which is a complex issue for coaches everywhere. If the main comments from coaches are that they do not have the time, then their role and player-centred outlook must be questioned. If we are spending time developing more players, and in appropriate environments, this is surely time well spent. Ensuring that we’re developing all the cricketers within our programmes will have greater long-term benefits to not only the success of the individual’s team but also the involvement these players will have in the game at all levels. We must ensure that players arrive to training sessions and matches looking forward to the challenges ahead and not dreading the experience that they believe they are about to have. Cricket should be enjoyed by those taking part and it is our responsibility to ensure this happens. “It is essential to give young players the opportunities to learn new skills, practise them in a safe and fun environment and then, when the time is right, give them an opportunity to practise these in the pressurised environment of a match.” 41