ECB Coaches Association links Hitting the Seam Issue 37 | Page 11

understand the type of game we
play, so it’s helpful to pass that
on to young girls. We can talk to
them about things they might
come up against, being female in
a male-dominated sport. Even
though it’s changing, there still
might be girls playing in boys’
teams at school or in club teams.
They might come up against
different challenges – that’s
certainly something we’ve all
been through.’
‘If I had to single one of my
coaches out, it would be Jack
Birkenshaw,’ says Marsh, naming
the former England all-rounder,
who later became a respected
umpire as well as a coach. ‘He
developed me as a spinner and
we worked really closely together
for a number of years and had a
really good relationship, which I
think is important with coaches
and players. To have the backing
of a coach, to see it in their eyes
that they want you to do well, is
something that’s quite special.’
When Greenway was a child, she
watched her father play cricket
for their local club, and he went
through practices with her. In
fact, she wonders whether it was
him who began to hone her
now-legendary fielding abilities.
‘I practised fielding a lot because
I enjoyed it, so my dad would just
throw tennis balls at me in the
evening – I had to catch them or
I’d get one in between the eyes!’
she laughs.
Looking back and reflecting on
her own experiences, she says:
‘Don’t specialise too early. One
thing that really helped me was
playing a lot of different sports at
a young age. I think that
generally helps children’s
athleticism and agility, and all the
basic movements.’
If you’re coaching just girls or in a
mixed group, get female coaches
on–board if you can. ‘Having
coached all over the country in
schools, clubs and counties, I
now realise how important it is
She does, however, pay tribute to
a man who she says was her best
coach ever.
Laura Marsh in the nets with former England Women’s coach Mark Lane
for young girls to have female
role models. It helps break down
the barrier and perception that
cricket is a boy’s game.’
As her career developed, she got
that England call-up – and
started to meet the colleagues
and coaches who shaped the rest
of her career. Former captain
Charlotte Edwards was one of
her inspirations, along with ex-
coach Mark Lane.
‘I was lucky enough to work
with him on a one-to-one basis,’
she recalls. ‘I liked how simple
he kept it, so that’s something I
want to take into my own
coaching.’
Meanwhile, she continues to
balance her coaching with her
continuing domestic playing
career.
‘During discussions with Mark
Robinson about his focus on
developing new players, it
became clear that my
This feature was written by Carrie Dunn and previously published in Coaching Edge magazine
involvement with the England
team might be limited moving
forwards,’ she said at the time.
‘Whilst in the past I have been in
a similar position and have
fought for my place, I now feel
that at this stage in my life, it’s
time to take a step back and
retire from international cricket
with immediate effect, allowing
the next generation of players to
develop on the world stage.’
Now, some time later, Greenway
is looking to the future and
planning her next moves.
‘I think I’m in a transition period
at the moment, to be honest,’ she
admits. ‘I’m probably half and
half, trying to make that
transition from playing into
coaching – and developing
Cricket for Girls alongside that.’
Summer 2017 will no doubt prove
to be a busy season for Lydia.
Lydia will feature at the National
Conference in October.
A New Chapter
11