Introduction

The shift to a Coach-Led Team Model offers a more sustainable, professional, and effective approach to the delivery of coaching in both training and match environments. The new structure will balance roles, empower players, and raise standards across all levels of the club.

This evolution reflects best practice in player development and will strengthen the foundations of Ealing CC’s culture and performance. In turn, this will reinforce our junior playing membership and also attract more, better-committed junior players to Ealing CC.

Please click on the attached pdf at the bottom of the page for details of our coaching team for Summer 2026!

Background

Ealing CC has long operated under a volunteer parent/carer manager-led team structure for junior cricket. This approach has provided some structure and oversight and we have been fortunate enough to have some fantastic volunteer parents and carers, but it also concentrates too much responsibility on a single individual and can unintentionally limit player development.

Volunteer Managers have been expected to:

• Handle logistics and organisation of matches
• Manage team selection, including batting and bowling orders and player roles
• Manage parent communication
• Provide match day coaching and player performance advice

While effective in some respects, this has led to a number of limitations and issues:

• Player development can be restricted when decision-making and performance oversight rests with one person.
• Risk of actual and/or perceived bias in team selection and player order – even if most Managers do the right thing, there can still be a perception of bias (even if this is not actual) - on any view, the impartiality needed when selecting a team (and batting/bowling orders) can be challenging for Managers, as can communicating this to parents.
• Managers are not always qualified Coaches, leading to mixed messages and a lack of growth of their playing squads.
• A lack of differentiation between different game types and scenarios. For example, some Managers understandably want to ensure that every player bats and bowls, but this is not always possible – particularly in non-pairs cricket and/or the knock-out phases of competitions.

We need to make a strategic transition to a Coach-led model. The proposed change will rebalance responsibilities, whilst recognising the vital role volunteer Managers do and will continue to play. This is also in line with the new MJCA approach for the 2026 season, which effectively requires three adults from each club to be present for each game (umpire, scorer and responsible adult).

Rationale

The rationale for this shift is supported by both evidence and experience.

Evidence from Research

Coaches are cricketing experts who:

• Observe deeply – carefully noting how individuals learn, adapt, and struggle.
• Target feedback precisely – offering specific, timely cues that enable immediate improvement.
• Adapt to the “sweet spot” – recognising the balance between challenge and ability, guiding learners just beyond their comfort zone.

Crucially, Coaches do not dominate. They design environments where players are nudged toward growth. This contrasts with a traditional manager-led environment, where instruction and oversight tend to be more direct.

The feedback from our coaching staff for the winter term shows how well the coaches know the players as evidenced by the parental comments regarding the accuracy and precision of the feedback given in the reports.

Benefits of a Coach-Led Structure

The move toward a Coach-led model brings multiple benefits:

• Player development and accountability – Players receive consistent, personalised coaching that helps them evolve, not just perform. This extends from coaching sessions to the match environment. It is therefore essential that Coaches are able to attend all home games to continue player development.
• High-Level Expertise – the majority of our Coaches have played 1st XI cricket, bringing firsthand knowledge of what it takes to perform at a competitive level. They understand game situations, pressure, and the nuances of high-level play — not just in theory, but in practice.
• Tactical & Game Awareness – 1st XI experience means Coaches can teach more than just technique — they develop your cricketing brain. Expect insights into field placement, match strategy, reading the game, and adapting tactics in real time.
• Real-Time Match Scenario Coaching – In nets or game simulations, Coaches replicate match scenarios and guide players through decision-making in real time — just as it happens at the 1st XI level. From setting up a bowler for a scoring shot to rotating strike under pressure — you'll be coached through it all.
• Fairness and impartiality – Coaches ensure more objective player development and selection, reducing bias and easing parental concerns.
• Support for Managers – Managers are freed from developmental burdens, focusing instead on logistics and welfare. They can also learn themselves from observing how Coaches run home games.
• Stronger relationships between Coaches and Managers – Shared leadership creates stability and sustained improvement.

Implementation

Implementation will follow these steps:

1. Integration of a designated Lead Coach into each age group – Each age group will have a designated qualified Lead Coach.
2. Every team has a Parent Manager and Assistant Parent Manager – Regular communication with Coaches and clear pre-match briefs to ensure role clarity.
3. Consistent feedback – Establish feedback loops between Coaches, Managers and Players, embedding reflective practice. This should take place after each game.
4. Monitoring and evaluation – Ongoing review by the Director of Cricket to ensure consistency of development and selection and impact across age groups.

Key Roles

Director of Cricket (reports to Trustees)

• Holds strategic oversight for junior cricket at ECC, in line with the club’s long-term vision
• Ensures adherence to Cricket governing bodies’ regulations, fostering a culture of fair play and respect
• Creates a positive, enjoyable and safe playing environment for all players
• Designs, plans and manages a coaching program for summer and winter training
• Recruits and allocates Lead Coaches to ECC age groups
• Plans and runs trials for selection to MJCA summer squads
• Allocates Lead Coaches and Coaches to MJCA home games
• Allocates Lead Coaches and Coaches to all summer and winter training sessions
• Plays an active part in Junior Cricket coaching and attends all summer and winter training sessions (and some MJCA home games, where allocated)
• Regularly communicates with Lead Coaches and Coaches
• Reviews and oversees squad and team selections for each MJCA team (boys and girls)
• Attends IFL Festival and IFL Finals days
• Co-ordinates ECC Awards day
• Oversees ECC’s Pathway activities
• Is the contact point for all cricket related matters

Lead Coach (reports to Director of Cricket)

• Each age group at ECC will be allocated a Lead Coach. The Lead Coach will be responsible for all cricketing matters relating to their designated ECC age group: skill development, tactical planning, and performance strategy.

• The Lead Coach will lead the mid-week training sessions for their age group.

• The Lead Coach will be responsible for player selection for:

■ Girls MJCA and girls Spirit teams

■ Boys MJCA “A” teams and “playing up” teams (i.e. “Phoenix” and “Scorchers” named teams)

• The Lead Coach will be responsible for deciding designated player roles for all 11-a-side non-pairs games, batting/bowling orders and match strategy (home and away games). The Lead Coach will involve Captains where appropriate in these decisions and (see below) and will communicate this information to Managers, for onward communication to parents.

■ The aim is for all team selection to be communicated to Managers who will then upload to Pitchero 7 days before each match

■ The aim is for designated player roles and batting/bowling order to be communicated to Managers 2 days before each match, for onward communication to parents via WhatsApp.

• The Lead Coach will attend all home MJCA matches played by their age group, where possible (e.g. the U10 Lead Coach will attend all U10A, U10C and U11D Phoenix home MJCA matches, as those are the teams ECC is entering for its U10 age group players: please see separate list of teams for more information).

• At home MJCA matches, the Lead Coach (or allocated Coach, if the Lead Coach is unavailable) will arrive 30 minutes before the start of play, will run the warm up, do the team talk (with the Manager listening in) and will umpire and run the game from the middle.

• The Lead Coach will regularly communicate with Managers (and vice versa).

• The Lead Coach will decide the winners for ECC awards day for each ECC team within their age group.

Assistant Coach (reports to Lead Coach)

• Assists Lead Coach with skill development and training sessions.
• May assist with various age groups.
• May attend some home games where Lead Coach is not available.

Manager (Volunteer)

o Each MJCA team at ECC will have a Manager and an Assistant Manager. Please see attached team sheet. The Manager and Assistant Manager will together be responsible for all administrative matters relating to their designated MJCA Team.

o It is expected that the Manager and Assistant Manager will agree how best to split up the administrative workload for the MJCA team for which they are responsible. This may involve allocating a number of matches ‘each’ or it may involve a ‘joint’ approach to overall team administration.

o Managers must ensure that they have a valid, current DBS Certificate in relation to Ealing Cricket Club. Each Manager must contact Penny Lewis to confirm this prior to being involved in any ECC activities this season: penny.lewis@pearson.com

o Managers will administer Pitchero for their MJCA team, via the Pitchero Manager app. Managers will obtain the team selection from the Lead Coach and ensure this is published on Pitchero 7 days before each match. Managers will monitor player availability and responses to team selection on Pitchero; and discuss with the Lead Coach replacement selections (and make those selections via Pitchero) where players decline. Managers are responsible for ensuring that each team fields a full side of eligible players for each MJCA match.

o Managers will set up and administer a WhatsApp group for their MJCA team. They will ensure that all parents/carers of players allocated to that MJCA team squad are added to the WhatsApp group and that the group has the title in the format “ECC Boys U10A Summer 2026”. Managers will use WhatsApp to communicate general match information and designated player roles and batting/bowling orders, where appropriate.

o Managers will communicate with their opposite number for all MJCA games to confirm all match arrangements and ensure that Pitchero is updated as necessary.

o For home matches, Managers will be responsible for all logistics and administrative matters, including:

i. Arranging to meet the Lead Coach at the match venue at least 30 minutes before the designated start time.
ii. Arriving at the venue at least 30 minutes before the designated start time and opening the ground and ensuring that the playing area is safe / clear.
iii. Setting up the ground: boundary, scoreboard, wickets, pitch (including collecting and returning equipment bag where needed).
iv. Scoring the match via Play Cricket Scorer and ensuring the scorecard is submitted immediately following the game (or making sure that there is a designated scorer from ECC who does this).
v. Safeguarding and acting as the responsible adult.
vi. The Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all ECC parents, carers, spectators and players adhere to the MJCA rules and code of conduct.
vii. Closing, cleaning up and securing the venue at the end of each match.

○ For away matches and friendly matches, Managers will be responsible for all logistics and administrative matters as above (where applicable for away matches), in addition:
i. The Manager will run and umpire away matches, following the example set by the Lead Coach at home games.
ii. The Manager will be responsible for ensuring there is a designated scorer present from ECC who will score the match via Play Cricket Scorer. Note this cannot be the same person as the umpire.
iii. The Manager will be responsible for finding a third person to as the responsible adult. Note the responsible adult must have a valid DBS certificate.
iv. The Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all ECC parents, carers, spectators and players adhere to the MJCA rules and code of conduct.
v. The Manager will provide feedback to the Lead Coach following each away MJCA match.

On Field Captain (reports to Lead Coach / Parent Manager)

• Leads the team on the field, executing the game strategy as discussed with the team and Lead Coach before each game.

• Leads by example on discipline, teamwork, and communication.

• Acts as the player liaison with the Coach and Manager during matches.

• Not every junior player has the skills or leadership aptitude needed to captain a game on-field. It is likely that the role of “On Field Captain” will be shared between two players per team, each season, as decided by the Director of Cricket.

• However, all players will be given an opportunity to act as a “Team Captain” for at least one game, which will involve conducting the Toss and leading handshakes at the end of the game. It is hoped that this will strike the right balance between ensuring every player has some experience of “leading”.

• We hope to run a session on Captaining Junior Cricket at the start of the season.

Expected Outcomes

• Managers are supported and relieved of technical burdens.

• Coaches provide expertise-driven development.

• Captains emerge as strong, on-field leaders.

• Players benefit from fairness, consistency, and preparation for higher-level cricket.

• The overall quality, consistency, and culture of Ealing CC cricket improve