ECB Coaches Association links Inside Edge 6 May 2018 | Page 72

70
TA K E T H R E E C OAC H E S
71
Arran Brindle
I currently coach at Greenwich House School, where
I also teach. We set up “First Cricket” through school
to coach those who were keen to start the sport
about three years ago. This group included my son
Harry, who was then six years old, and is now playing
in a fantastic team of U11’s. Eight of that group have
now been selected for county or regional cricket. We
still invite youngsters from as young as four and the
next group are starting to come through. I also coach
Louth CC U11 and U13 teams.
W H Y D I D YO U G E T I N TO C OAC H I N G ?
I got into coachin g because I think sport in general,
and especially cricket, has a massive amount to offer
youngsters. Physical that is obvious, but even the
scoring and numbers aspects involved really can help
academically too, for example. The friendships that
sport allows you to make are also invaluable. I just
think if you can help a child fall in love with sport they
benefit through the rest of their life!
KEY LEARNING ON THE
P E R F O R M A N C E C OAC H C OU RS E ?
My biggest learning from the course was that
the way you coach players at every level should
always be to give them a greater understanding of
themselves and the team around them. In that way
even when you are not there to coach they can still
keep progressing.
FA V O U R I T E M O M E N T O N T H E
COURSE?
My favourite moment /part on the course has to be
working with the mix of different people you meet.
Obviously mixing with other high level players and
tapping into their thoughts, but also the enthusiasm
shown by the whole group makes it a fun process.
We certainly had some laughs while we were
learning.
R A N D O M FA C T A B O U T YO U ?
Bizarrely, my worst fear as a child going through
school was having to stand up in front of people
and having to speak. I hated that. It seems odd
now, because I love teaching and coaching, and
speaking in front of a group is what I do all the time
by choice!!
W H E R E D O YO U C OAC H ?