ECB coaching figures hit record high
Mike Gatting lauded the coaching partnership between the ECB and Sky Sports, which has "far exceeded" the original target
The England and Wales Cricket Board today announced that 33,000 coaches have graduated from the Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme since the scheme was launched four years ago - a figure which would exceed the capacity of Lord’s cricket ground.
The latest figures, which include 10,000 coaches who qualified in the last year alone, were revealed as ECB announced that Sky Sports will continue its sponsorship of the programme for a further three years.
Mike Gatting, ECB managing director cricket partnerships, said: “It’s enormously encouraging to see so many newly-qualified coaches and we are delighted that we have far exceeded our original target number of 10,000 when we first launched the scheme four years ago.
“Coaching is vitally important to the future of the game and we are grateful to Sky Sports for their investment in the programme, which enables ECB to cater for the ever increasing number of boys and girls wanting to take up the game in England and Wales.”
Andy Flower, England team director, commented: “Whether you are coaching a team of under-11s at grass roots level or working with professional cricketers at the elite level, acquiring the right skills is absolutely essential.
“The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme is very comprehensive, offers something for everyone and it has my full endorsement.”
Former England coach and Sky Sports commentator David Lloyd said: “This is a fantastic programme and I’m not surprised it’s delivering such impressive results.
“There are teaching modules to suit all ages and abilities and the quality of training gets better and better. Everyone at Sky Sports is proud of the association and I’m pleased this will continue for another three years.”
The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme aims to attract and train coaches at all levels of grassroots cricket.
In the last four years more than 33,000 coaches have qualified across a number of different coaching categories:
- Coaching assistants and coaches - Enhancing coaching at club, district and county level.
- Coach education for teachers - Training coaches and teachers to work together to deliver cricket in schools.
- Cricket young leaders - Providing 14-18-year-olds with the opportunity to assist with coaching primary schools and Kwik Cricket tournaments throughout the UK.
Sky Sports has a year-round commitment to live cricket, including England home and away and over 60 live domestic matches, and each county at least three times.
Its coverage also includes under-19s and women’s internationals plus live club cricket with the Cockspur Club Twenty20.
Sky Sports will show live ball-by-ball coverage of this winter’s Ashes series, the first England tour of Australia to be screened in HD.
It will also be the 20th anniversary of the first Ashes tour to be screened live in the UK and Ireland.
Live coverage will also be available online through Sky Player and mobile with Sky Mobile TV.
Highlights of each day's play will be also screened regularly on Sky Sports and skysports.com with news and reports on Sky Sports News HD.
To find out more on the Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme, please visit www.skysports.com/coaching.
