Yorkshire

Cricket Factory Skills Set Used at Arches Holiday Camp

The Cricket Factory kit was used at the Arches Holiday Camp which took place on 24th/25th February 10am – 2pm at Wisewood School. Over 60 children attended the camps aged between 6-11 years old. 4 x seperate workstations were organised, each focusing on the Batting, Bowling & fielding aspect of Cricket and the children rotated around each one.

Workstation 1 - batting, hitting targets and spaces.
Workstation 2 - Bowling, Improving line and length.
Workstation 3 - fielding, throwing at targets.
Workstation 4 - catching, catching off rebound net.

“Children absolutely loved practising on the workstations and really developed their Cricket skills through the day. The Cricket Factory kit is a great way to engage younger children in cricket and the equipment helps the coaches with their delivery. By having the children rotate around different stations they were able to develop all of their skills as a young cricketer.”
Adam Fuller ( Partnership Development Manager)

BME/Inner City Development Centres Celebrate 10 year Partnership with Cricket Factory

Yorkshire Cricket’s BME/Inner City Development Centres facilitating the coaching, participation and development of budding cricketers from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are celebrating a 10 year partnership with new equipment supplied by the Cricket Factory.

The Development Centres offer annual coaching sessions for budding cricketers in Sheffield, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Dewsbury, Bradford, Batley and Middlesbrough. Supported by the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB) and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.  The Centres have been able to celebrate their 20^th anniversary and 10 year Partnership with Cricket Factory with new Cricket Factory Core Skills kit thanks to a very generous sponsor.

‘’The success of the Development Centres in providing an environment for young cricketers to develop their skills has been well received by the communities they serve’’ said Shiv Krishan (Vice Chairman of the YCB’s BME Forum), ‘‘they continue to go from strength to strength and welcome the input from Cricket Factory as well as the ongoing support from the Yorkshire Cricket Board. The financial support this year from the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation together with the Open Day the Centres attend supported by Yorkshire County Cricket Club demonstrates the support of all partners to the development of grass roots cricket. The youngsters certainly all enjoy their day out at Headingley!’’

Andrew Watson (YCB Director of Development) is absolutely delighted…”..Cricket Factory have supplied new cricket kit and training equipment for the centres to mark their 10^th year in partnership, the new kit being designed to be both fun to use and attractive to young players who are new to the game. Cricket Factory equipment allows participants of all ages and all abilities to perform a variety of cricket activities and challenge all the key skills: batting, bowling, throwing, catching and cricket related movements…”

Cricket Factory at Bradford University

Yorkshire Cricket Board presented us with the opportunity to operate a fun participatory session at Bradford University.

Taking across one of our Cricket Factory Core skill Sets, Cricket Factory Allrounder and Bannerzone we set up a cricket zone over just 2 badminton courts in the students sports club.

To show the flexibility of the Cricket Factory equipment we started with a circuit of skill based drills, moving to a fitness circuit then into a small sided quick fun game, see below the comments from some of those who attended.

“Everyone who attended had a really enjoyable afternoon of Cricket thanks to Cricket Factory, for an eye opening session of cricket skills . The whole purpose of the day was to put a cricket session on that would attract anyone and could cater for all abilities, including many non-cricketers. The drills set out using the Cricket Factory were simple and easy to understand, however we were very quickly able to make them harder for the more able cricketer who attended. By changing the drills and practices (many of which can be found on their website) we were able to create a circuit which not only looked at cricket skills but also worked on fitness. To show the complete versatility of the Cricket Factory equipment a member of Yorkshire County V.I. squad who came along to support on the day was suitably impressed on how the same drills and practices could be very easily adapted to suit VI and proceeded to work with students using both domestic and International VI Cricket Balls. Everyone, including myself participated in each drill with enjoyment and in the end came away with large smiles wanting to know when the next session was to be.” Shiv Krishan, Community Cricket Coach, Yorkshire Cricket Board

“Thank you so much for the session on Wednesday the students really enjoyed the it and are wanting more!” Ben Greaves, FE/HE Sports Co-ordinator, Bradford University

England Women have fun with ECB Cricket Factory

Cricket Factory at Snainton CC

Having spoken to our level 2 coaches, who take the lead roles at junior level, the general consensus of opinion is that the equipment is a great asset and a worthwhile addition, which benefits all the junior members.

The coaching programme now includes a Cricket Factory module which seems to be very well received at all age groups, indeed, having seen the equipment in action some of the senior players have commented on the potential benefits and we are receiving more requests from senior players who are looking to improve their skill and accuracy, particularly used as throwing practice aids.

Drawing from the coaching guides available with the equipment it has become apparent that there are many permutations of coaching opportunities which has enhanced the coaching programme over a much broader age spectrum than the club originally thought.

As the new season approaches we as a club are looking forward to practice sessions and are sure we will see improvements in our performance on the pitch and we are grateful to the Cricket Factory for the use of their equipment.

John Jennings

Leeds Interfaith Project

A Leeds based project, initiated by the Jewish Rep Council and supported by the Yorkshire Cricket Board has become yet another outstanding project. The project is a partnership between the Jewish Rep Council, the YCB, SportEd, Inter-Active and Together for Peace. The aim is to use cricket as a vehicle for brining communities of different faiths together in order to break down barriers, encourage friendships and community cohesion.

YCCC Project Day at the Bradford Mela

Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation have used the ECB Cricket Factory Skills Set at a range of events throughout the 2010 season including the Great Yorkshire Show reaching 150,000 people, the Bradford Mela and various local events and festivals.

The kit has been used with people of all ages from toddlers to ‘big kids’ and has been a popular attraction for all the family to get involved with.

Throughout the winter we will be using the kit at promotional events to raise awareness of the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and lending it to Clubs, Schools and local organisations for any activities they may have on.

The ECB Cricket Factory Skills Set has proved to be a valuable kit which allows everyone from all abilities, backgrounds and ages to improve their skills and have fun doing so. It’s easy to transport and set up and allows coaches and individuals the opportunity to use their imagination in creating new challenges and games.

Christmas Special with the YCCB at Westfield Sports College

The ECB Cricket Factory Christmas Special featured three areas of activity in a four badminton court sports hall:
Area 1 – the ‘ECB Roadshow Rig’
Area 2 – a ‘Fundamental Skills’ Zone
Area 3 – a Cricket Factory ‘Banner Zone’

A team of Young Sports Leaders were trained to deliver ‘fun’ activities relating to all the key skills of Cricket to the visiting pupils from five local primary schools – over 120 young people participated on the day.
Thanks to:
Gareth Davies CDM South Yorkshire
Ian Spooner PDM Points SSP
Dale Kerruish Points SSP
for their support in helping to organise the day.

Special thanks to Andrew Carder and his team of Young Sports Leaders, the Coaches and Staff at the Westfield Sports College in Sheffield and all the visiting primary school participants for contributing to a fantastic days cricket.

YCCC Headingly Indoor Centre

Cricket Factory has been an innovative addition to the way we have delivered the sport in the Indoor Centre over the last six years. The nature of the equipment and its colourful presentation has captured the imagination of many young people, of all ages and abilities, who have attended our courses and visited the Centre as part of our ‘Cricket in the Classroom’ Scheme.

Furthermore, with the considerable assistance of Factory Eleven, the Indoor Cricket Centre was able to receive Sportsmatch Funding to enhance the use of Cricket Factory throughout the County. Sixteen High Schools across Yorkshire with Sports College status received 50 Cricket Factory Equipment Sets to enhance the cricket delivery in feeder primary schools and local Focus Clubs. Cricket Factory was effectively introduced into curriculum delivery and ‘extended hours’ activity and is still available to tens of thousands of pupils each year, not just in summer programmes, but all year round.

Not only does this initiative encourage the development of specific skills it is also a tremendous tool for multi-sports use. Such is its nature it enhances agility, balance and co-ordination all motor skills which are vital in the game of cricket.

Of further significance ‘Cricket Factory’ generates a great sense of fun. Activities can be child centred as well as teacher/coach led. They are all attainable giving youngsters of all abilities a sense of achievement and enrichment thus producing self-confidence and hopefully a desire to participate in the game at higher levels.

Andy Rowsell
Head Coach – Emerging Players YCCC