Cricket coaching catches on in Bavaria

Cricket coaching in Germany is attracting a new following with sports teachers from schools in upper and lower Bavaria and one from Schwerin in Mechlenburg attending an introductory course on cricket held at the Realschule in Beilngries.

The idea for the ICC Europe Introduction to Cricket Course came from the deputy-head of the Realschule, Kurt Wink, and implemented by Keith Thompson, the German national coach, and DCB president, Brian Fell.

Some of the 16 sports teachers had seen cricket in action while on holidays in cricket-playing countries, or had caught glimpses of the game on TV, but most were getting their first insight into the game.

The emphasis was on a practical introduction to the game and after a quick demonstration from the two coaches, the teachers formed two teams and had a game in the school’s sports hall.

The laws of cricket were introduced and by way of question and answer made clear, as was the scoring system. By the end of the course the teachers were in a position to play the game themselves.