SPORT

As seen in COACHINGLIFE Magazine

By Matthew Betsey

o achieve this, Australia The Australian Cricket Pathway is has a whole of pathway focus based on the Australian Institute ’S FOCUS IS Tto increase participation. This of Sport FTEM model (Foundation TO BE AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE will be achieved by inspiring kids and Talent Elite Mastery) to create a clear, SPORT – A SPORT FOR ALL engaging communities as well as attractive and aligned pathway for AUSTRALIANS! OVER 1.2 producing the best teams, players, players and coaches at all levels to competitions, coaches and officials in MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR PLAY future proof cricket. The model is built the world. From the Backyard to the on skills & capabilities that align to AND Baggy Green, coaching is a key area to competition formats, coaching and BENEFIT FROM THE BUZZ OF ensure cricket can attract young players talent identification to ensure positive HITTING THE BALL, TAKING A to the game, retain players in the and enjoyable cricket experiences. OR GRABBING A CATCH, pathway and stretch the best cricketers so that being No.1 is inevitable! This is a National Approach with Local AS WELL AS ENJOYING THE Implementation that encourages Local CAMARADERIE OF BEING PART From a coaching perspective, Cricket Innovation. OF A TEAM. Australia has focused on the following five areas to bring the vision to life. Guiding principles of the Australian Cricket Pathway: THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET • FOUNDATION SKILLS ARE CRITICAL PATHWAY We want all cricketers to maximise their • INDIVIDUAL’S SKILL IS ASSESSED cricketing skills and enjoy a successful THROUGHOUT career. Beginning with our great MILOin2CRICKET and MILO T20BLAST • PROGRESSION IS BASED ON SKILL programs for children and working LEVEL through different representative levels • HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT to state and national teams. It is clear to all players that if they are good • LEARNING IS NOT LINEAR enough, there is a clear pathway for them to succeed. • PREMIER CRICKET IS CRITICAL

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The Australian Cricket Pathway is easy to communicate to players and parents through consistent game formats and provides coaches with an understanding of what players need to progress through developmental stages. Coaches are supported through resources and tools provided at each level.

To further support coaches across Australia, we are training coaching facilitators, connecting with past players through a partnership with the Australian Cricketers Association, locally delivered community workshops - SUCCEED and recognition through Coach of the - COMPETE Year initiatives. - DEVELOP ENJOY THE AUSTRALIAN WAY COACHING PHILOSOPHY UNDER THE SOUTHERN The Australian Way Coaching Philosophy has been developed to unite and inspire coaches across Australia CROSS I STAND to focus on all players being able to ENJOY, DEVELOP, COMPETE and COACH APPROACH SUCCEED at every level. The Australian A CLEAR, ATTRACTIVE AND ALIGNED PLAYER AND COACH PATHWAY Way is best summarised by Sir Donald WITH LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE FUN, SAFE AND HIGH QUALITY. Bradman in his book “THE ART OF ATTRACT, RETAIN AND DEVELOP CRICKETERS AT ALL LEVELS WITH A FOCUS ON THE BASICS TO DEVELOP CRICKETERS HOLISTICALLY. CRICKET” (1958) where he suggests CLICK FOR VIDEO when coaching (and developing players more naturally), we should tell players 4. PREPARING TO PERFORM - e.g. “Introduction To Cricket” courses for what we want them to do, not how to Physical, Mental & Nutrition junior club cricket coaches and mobile do it. preparation applications to deliver support direct to coaches mobile phones. We want coaches to foster game based 5. LEADING THE GAME - e.g. decision learning that is underpinned by the making, game awareness, strategy This support includes developing basic basics. The basics are important and and tactics skills for mums and dads to manage we need to get them right early as each a group of kids and is the starting player will have their own way of scoring Ultimately, coaches are encouraged point for coaches. Cricket Australia runs and taking . to coach the basics in the context of SCORING RUNS and TAKING WICKETS also works with State and Territory The Australian Way philosophy links Associations to deliver Community all components of the Australian COMMUNITY COACH SUPPORT (Level 1) and Representative (Level 2) Cricket pathway through five (5) key Community coaches have significant coaching courses. areas; responsibility and influence the lives and sporting development of our cricket 1. COACH APPROACH - e.g. Role of the FEMALE COACH ENGAGEMENT community and are the face of our Coach 2015/16 will see the inaugural great game at every oval on a Saturday Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). morning in the city or in the country! 2. SCORE RUNS - e.g. & Running This will provide a visible pathway for Between the Wickets At a local level, coach support females and more opportunities for 3. TAKING WICKETS - e.g. Pace bowling, includes in-services to support MILO young talent to connect to our national Spin bowling, wicket-keeping, in2CRICKET and MILO T20 Blast programs through the National u15 and catching & throwing program coordinators, the online u18 carnivals.

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We are very committed to providing female role models in the coaching pathway and arguably the most important coaching happens at the community level.

(male & female) across both the male and female pathway to ensure being world class is inevitable!

Elite Coach Development The Australian Cricket Elite Coach Development Program aims to identify and develop future elite coaches in Cricket is focused on ensuring that who will be Assistant Australia so that Australian Men’s and the game reflects the community Coach to Ryan Harris for the Women’s teams, supported by the most and provides opportunity for the Cricket Australia XI Male u17 team comprehensive Coach Development development of female coaches which competing in the U19 Male National system in the world, can be number is a key “game changer” in terms of Championships. one in the world in all formats. how cricket is opening the doors and 2. Ensure females are provided The program will; being inclusive across Australia. opportunities to deliver coach • identify and develop the best Two key focus areas are; education coaches • provide a clear pathway for elite 1. Increase the number of female As part of our Coach Development coaches cricket coaches in Australia Program, we ensured that leaders • develop world class cricketers across Australian Cricket are facilitating … and has four key areas for developing In 2015, Cricket Australia is conducting learning with our coaches including coaches; a number of initiatives to increase (Senior Manager of the the number of females coaching National Cricket Centre) and Christina COACH PROFILING AND including providing the opportunity for Matthews (CEO of the WACA) Further, 500 females to attend fully funded, we have set aggressive targets to EVALUATION Community (Level 1) courses as ensure more females are engaged in As a part of being a coach in national well as High Performance Coaching Community Coach Development - we or state High Performance programs, opportunities including aim to be World Best! Cricket Australia has developed a Coach Profile and Evaluation tool Ashleigh Barty (former International We are very committed to providing through its Athlete Management Tennis player – Junior Wimbledon female role models in the coaching System (AMS). Each coach is able champion) who will coach the u15 pathway and arguably the most to complete a profile of themselves Cricket Australia XI team (with important coaching happens at the so that they can reflect on their ) in the Female National community level. We strongly believe own coaching, they are then able to Championships and in developing our players and coaches complete a 360-degree evaluation.

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THE ELITE COACH (LEVEL 4) DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM This targeted program is for current elite coaches who are employed within the Australian Cricket system as full-time employees and already have High Performance (Level 3) coach accreditation. The program is driven by national program staff and engages the best coaches to share their knowledge and experience e.g. Ric Charlesworth coaching diary, regular mentor sessions Indigenous Cricket Championships, and Wayne Bennett in 2015. culminating with an exit job interview. National Indoor Cricket championships and for the National All abilities THE HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH MENTOR PROGRAM teams. COACHING PROGRAM In support of coaches who are working While not everyone can fulfil the dream The Cricket Australia (CA) High in the High Performance pathway in their states, CA are providing coaching of representing Australia, it’s good to Performance Coaching Program is mentors that work with coaches based know there is a clear route from the registered with the Australian Sports on their coaching profile and their backyard to the baggy green. Commission as part of the National development plan. Coach Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) So even if you’ve never held a bat, are and is facilitated over a 12-month Cricket Australia provides this support desperate to get back into it or have a period including pre-residential tasks, at ALL National Championships (male & passing interest, there’s never been a a one-week residential course and female) and for the Australian Country better time to start playing Australia’s post residential tasks including a Cricket Championships, the National Favourite Sport.

Matthew Betsey - National Coaching Manager, Cricket Australia (@MattBetsey)

Matthew is currently engaged by Cricket Australia in the capacity of National Coaching Manager. Matthew leads the National Coach Development team to ensure Cricket can attract, retain and develop coaches who help instil The Australian Way to unite and inspire the nation - from Backyard to the BaggyGreen!

During his time with Cricket Australia, Matthew has completed secondments to the Champions League tournament as an Operations Manager in 2010 (South Africa) and 2011 (India). He also managed the inaugural National Indigenous team tour to India in 2012 and has delivered programs on the sub-continent, UAE, the West Indies and America’s region and across Asia. In 2015, he completed the prestigious Business of Entertainment Media and Sport program at Harvard Business School.

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