England Indoor Cricket

Youth Development and Coaching

Best Practice

In order to create a template for best practice, ICE has canvassed the following professionals who are involved in cricket on a daily basis, either as players or administrators.

Jon Lewis – Gloucestershire and England fast bowler – Jon believes that the spatial awareness of indoor cricket teaches outdoor cricketers to think faster and move faster. Indoor cricket is also suitable to help bowlers iron out problems with their action, front foot no-balls, and rehabilitation with injuries, while bowling off a reduced run up.

Andrew Moulding – Director of Development, Somerset County Cricket Club – Andrew commented that indoor cricket teaches players to play the ball later, and improves running between the wickets. He also commented that SCCC are 100% behind the growth of indoor cricket, as it gives junior cricketers the chance to stay sharp and improve during the winter season. It also improves the concentration of young cricketers, as there is constant activity adjacent to the courts, which will make them less likely to ‘choke’ during the tension and expectation associated with the final stages of a closely fought outdoor game.

Luke Sutton – Lancashire wicketkeeper and MD of Activate Sport – Luke thinks that indoor cricket is ‘manna from heaven’ for wicket keepers and close fielders. He believes that indoor cricket arenas will be a major benefit to cricket academies such as the Freddie Flintoff Cricket Academy, and that he could easily increase the number of FFCA graduates, including the participation of more girls, who would play as the weather does not matter.

Andrew Wheeler – Former ECB South West Manager for Ladies Cricket – Andrew has already introduced 6 ladies outdoor teams to indoor cricket at a 6-a-side tournament at Action Indoor Sports on 7 December 2008. Bath Cricket Club beat a select 8, who were effectively the Wales Ladies Indoor Cricket Team in the final, which shows the potential for talented outdoor cricketers to succeed indoors. Andy and all the girls feel that indoor cricket is a useful addition to the cricket calendar, as they have limited opportunities to play outdoors on good pitches.

The Lady Taverners – AW holds various U13 and U15 girls’ cricket events on behalf of the Lady Taverners, and is hosted a very successful 8-a-side tournament for 20 x 8-a-side U13 and U15 girl’s teams at Action Indoor Sports in Bristol on 23 – 24 April 2009. 

Please see “Let’s Play” for further information on ICE Indoor Cricket Development and Coaching.

On 20 April 2009, Mike Gatting authorised ICE to implement the Marketing Sport Limited “Let’s Play”  8-a-side Indoor Cricket Development Program for Primary and Secondary schools.

The ‘Let’s Play’ Indoor Cricket Programme is an introductory Indoor Cricket programme for primary schools.  The emphasis is on fun, active participation and the development of basic skills.  The basic fundamentals of Indoor Cricket will be taught by a variety of activities and modified games.

‘Let’s Play Indoor Cricket’ handbook is the second, more comprehension version of the ‘Let’s Play Indoor Sports’ Programme.  It has been produced to assist Affiliated Indoor Sports Centres to introduce 7-12 year old boys and girls to Indoor Cricket, with the view of providing children with a future sporting opportunity.

Our Commitment

Indoor Cricket England, each of the member associations and their affiliated centres are committed to providing a quality physical activity experience to active young people.

We will achieve this by providing:

• a safe and healthy centre
• quality equipment
• fully trained staff
• professional management

The ‘Let’s Play’ Indoor Cricket Programme is all about young people having fun together while developing important skills.

Benefits of Indoor Cricket include:

• Indoor Cricket can be played in any weather
• Indoor Cricket is low impact and non contact
• Indoor Cricket is sun safe
• Indoor Cricket promotes a healthy, active lifestyle
• Indoor Cricket can be enjoyed by both boys and girls of all ages
• Indoor Cricket can be played at night or during the day
• Indoor Cricket can be structured to suit the needs of the group

Objectives of the ‘Let’s Play’ Indoor Cricket Programme

The main objectives are:

1. To create awareness and an interest in different Indoor Sport games and to encourage children to play at their local centre.
2. To experience the fun and enjoyment of participating in a team environment while developing social skills and self-confidence.
3. To teach children the basic skills involved in different Indoor Sports through planned programmes of activities and modified games.
4. To promote a healthy, active lifestyle through participation in Indoor Sports.
5. To provide a positive Indoor Sport experience for boys and girls, of all ages.

Indoor Sports Centres

Indoor Sports Centres are Centres that organise and run the ‘Let’s Play’ Indoor Sports Programme for children aged 7-12 at primary schools. These Centres are affiliated to Indoor Cricket England and are located throughout England.

Player Pathways to Representative Level

This is a phenomenally successful program for children from the U11 to U19 age groups, which allows children to experience the joy of indoor cricket, whether playing for fun with family or friends, or joining the Age Group National League, which focuses on International recognition.

In excess of 14 000 children took part in the 2007/2008 “Let’s Play” Program in New Zealand, and the SPARC accredited “Let’s Play” Program is now an integral part of the school curriculum in New Zealand. (SPARC – Sport and Recreation New Zealand)