Introduction

 

The creation of the Emerging Players Programe (EPP) within each County Cricket Board has given us the opportunity to enhance the development of those 'talented' male or female players who have been selected as having greater athleticism, attitude and aptitude between the ages of 13-16.

 

The EPP revolves around a player centered approach and requires us to consider how we can best support the development of selected young cricketers with elite performance potential, on every step of the pathway (See figure below).

 

Therefore the purpose of the EPP is to further develop talented players for the future through creating a support structure that integrates with the individual needs of the identified talented players. This is aided by applying long term principles in all key development areas, to help create a consistent framework.

 

By building on your existing system, creating enhancements or developing new programmes the aims of the EPP would be;

 

• To underpin and support the First Class County Academy programme and our own Development X1 and Minor Counties.
• To link the player pathway between County age group cricket and the County Academies Development X1 and Minor Counties.
• To provide an enhanced ‘talented’ player pool with the appropriate skills and knowledge to progress to the First Class Academies Development X1 and Minor Counties.
• To develop the appropriate Talent Development Environment for the 13-16 age group.
• To use the three year time frame as a Talent Confirmation Period, which allows counties to invest in their players before potentially selecting them on the respective 1^st Class Academies?
• To run the EPP nationally across all 39 counties.
• To create an integrated player centred development pathway.
• To share knowledge amongst all stakeholders.
• To develop, educate and support coaches with the specialist skills and expertise to manage and deliver the EPP programme.
• To provide guidance on Talent Identification, Selection, Confirmation and Development.
• To provide clearer communication and develop better relationships between all relevant stakeholders.

 

It is important to understand that there will be unique demands on the development of players within the Emerging Players Programme i.e. maturation and adolescent growth spurt variations. Therefore it is vital that the appropriate programmes are developed specific to needs of each player as they progress through this stage in their life and that these are linked to long term principles.   

 

  

 

ECB Player Pathway

 

EPP and the link to LTAD

 

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) provides the framework that can be used as a basis on which to build a cohesive system for the overall development of the EPP.  LTAD recognises that development is a multi-staged progression, with each age and stage relating to the important biological, psychological and social development periods in a young person's life.

 

More specifically, the EPP focuses on the ‘Training to Train’ stage of the ECB LTAD model – Planning for Long Term Success. Training to Train is a key developmental phase whereby the core cricket specific skills are enhanced in conjunction with the physical conditioning for sports performance or ‘building the engine’ and the development of mental skills. Therefore emphasis is about providing the individual with the right training and practice, competition and recovery over the course of this stage, with particular relevance to the important early growth and development years of young people.

 

The key principles of the Training to Train stage are;

 

• Introduce Individualised Training Programmes dependent on specific needs associated with roles within the game and stage of growth and development.
• Emphasis on general physical conditioning including the key fitness components of endurance, flexibility, strength and speed.
• Special window of opportunity for developing speed and strength.
• Increased technical work and tactical awareness on; front foot and back foot offensive and defensive shots; pace and spin bowling techniques; enhanced keeping and fielding skills; effective practice techniques; raising awareness and increasing responsibility.
• Fitness protocols established to benchmark and monitor development of physical capacities.
• Extension of mental skills and mental toughness training.
• Monitoring of growth and development including regular height checks to identify key periods for appropriate training.
• Reinforce positive attitudes and behaviours on and off the pitch.
• Teaching of Performance Lifestyle Skills including the important ancillary areas such as health and nutrition, communication skills, media, balancing study and play, time management etc.
• Continued participation in complementary sports although towards end of phase moving towards specialisation.

 

The most talented players are likely to be selected to play regional cricket as well as being asked to play for their school, club junior and adult, district, and county board.

It is vital that levels of competition and involvement in other sports are monitored, if the right balance to assist peak performance is reached. Players should aim for a minimum 1:1:1 ratio of play:practice:rest during the season with aspirations towards a 1:2:1 ratio. The EPP Head Coach should work with the player to plan and monitor the individual match play programme and effectively communicate between the different interested bodies to ensure the system remains ‘player centred’. Please refer to the relevant resources provided:

 

-          Match play programme

-          Monthly planner

-          Partnership agreement

-          School introductory letter

 

 
Emerging Players Programme Head Coach

 

The main purpose of the Emerging Players Programme Head Coach (EPPHC) is to oversee the management of those players at County Cricket Board level who have been selected as part of the EPP. The aim will be to match the needs of the players with the skills and qualities of the EPPHC’s with a view that the EPPHC will become specialists in the development of Emerging Players during the Training to Train stage of their development.

 

The primary roles and responsibilities of the EPPHC will be;

 

• To manage the EPP across the whole County.
• To work with the Regional Performance Managers in the design and delivery of Individual Development Programmes (IDPs) for each of the players in the Emerging Players Programme.
• To develop and monitor individual preparation and competitive programmes for Emerging Players.
• To notify the ECB of all Emerging Players and provide evidence of IDPs linked to the individual player’s goals and long term development. This evidence will be used to support the County Cricket Board Improvement Planning Process for Player Development.
• To attend all ECB EPP conferences, workshops and meetings.
• To act as the main point of contact within the County Cricket Board for the Regional Performance Managers and Regional/ National Coaches.

 

In order to match the coach skills with the players needs the aim will be to support coaches in their own personal development. This will primarily be through conferences and workshops which will focus on the following areas;

 

• Talent Identification, Selection, Confirmation and Development.
• Creating the appropriate learning environments for players.
• Individual Development Programmes – planning and monitoring.
• Skill Acquisition.
• Mental Skills for 13-16 year olds.
• Physical Preparation for 13-16 year olds.
• Adolescent growth spurts and the implications for coaches and players.
• Technical and tactical guidance from ECB skill set leads.
• Managing relationships with players, parents, coaches, schools and clubs.
• Lifestyle principles.

 

 

• Carla Wood
• Linsey Smith
• Curtly Slatter
• Niall Devanney
• Tom Dingwall
• Tom Smith