Richard O'Sullivan

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Italy

Over two bright and sunny October days teachers from the Bologna area were the second group of Italians in a month to attend an ICC Introduction to Cricket Course. In late September Italian National Coach Joe Scuderi an ICC/ECC introductory course tutor conducted a course for seven teachers and club members during a visit to Rome. Therefore with the ten participants in the Bologna course the FCrI hopes to makes further strides in their school/club Kwik Cricket program in these areas.

During both courses the participants had the opportunity to try the game for themselves which during the Bologna course (tutored by ECC Coach Richard O’Sullivan) culminated in a pairs Kwik Cricket Match at Pianoro CC. Participants also received information on basic scoring and umpiring. The important ‘Spirit of Cricket’ message was well received with the recent Ashes series providing obvious examples and it was commented on how Calcio (soccer) could benefit from some of the same attitude.

On day two the course even provided the chance for the participants to share their newly acquired skills with some pupils at one of the local schools and it proved yet again that if given the opportunity children worldwide can have fun playing our great game. During the two days Richard was also able to attend the FCrI Development Committee which hopes to utilise all this new found enthusiasm from the teachers to give even more children the opportunity to take up the game at club level.

Belgium

Following their recent election as Associate members key Belgium Cricket Federation (BCF) personnel organised a two day October development meeting. The meeting was also attended by ECC Coach Richard O’Sullivan who has a great deal of experience in grass roots development in the UK and across Europe. An honest analysis of ‘Where the BCF Are Now’ and the strengths and weaknesses of cricket in Belgium began the forum and from that a plan for the future was formulated to hopefully use the new found resources in the most efficient way possible.

The focus of discussions following a successful hosting of the Affiliates Championship in August 2005 where an ageing National Side performed admirably was on creating a sustainable school program that can feed players into the local clubs. The aim is to run a series of introductory sessions in schools for U11 and at U13 and interested children will then have a ten week program of coaching and pairs matches provided by their local club. The program all culminates with all four clubs across Belgium offering the scheme bringing their young players together for a pairs cricket festival. Following this spring-time activity the clubs will offer the opportunity for players to compete for their club in the already established national competitions at their appropriate age groups. The aim is then to repeat the scheme annually at the same schools to a new crop of youngsters and eventually involving more schools and clubs. If the scheme works it will bring young people and their parents to the game and they will hopefully bring further human and financial investment to the clubs in Belgium.

Jersey

Over the weekend of 28-30 October players and teachers from Jersey, Guernsey and Sark had the opportunity to undertake Level 1 & Level 2 ECB Coaching qualifications.

With their newly gained ICC Affiliate member status ECC Coach Richard O’Sullivan was able to visit to assist Jersey Development Officer Chris Minty in delivering the Level 1 course to eighteen candidates whilst delivering the Level 2 course to five previously qualified and experienced Level 1 coaches. All the participants were extremely enthusiastic and worked tirelessly from the Friday evening to the Sunday late afternoon.

Victoria College near the Jersey capital of St. Helier provided and excellent facility and during his visit Richard was also able to view some of the excellent grass and artificial facilities that Jersey and the Islands as a whole will bring to their membership of ICC. The hope of the Islands is that with all the new coaches, the momentum of the Ashes series and the good facilities available that Island cricket will continue to develop at a healthy rate.