The school introduced cricket in 2010 with an intake of 16 boys. This number has grown to 37 in 2015, with 3 teams competing in the u15, u17 and u19 Premier division of the WP Schools League. In addition, the school collaborates with United CC to give additional playing opportunities to the boys. In 2014 the school was designated as Cricket Focus School by SRSA.
In addition to playing in the schools league, the u19 team has performed well in the Coca-Cola Schools T20 competition – reaching the regional quarter-finals in 2014 and the semi-finals in 2015.
Over the last few years the school has provided an increasing number of players to the WP and Boland provincial schools teams, and is the leading provider of Black African players in the Western Cape. The provincial representation since 2010 is as follows:
YEAR | COLOURED | BLACK | TOTAL |
2010 | 1 | 1 | |
2011 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
2012 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
2013 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
2014 | 8 | 11 | 19 |
2015 | 6 | 11 | 17 |
In 2014 the school produced its first SA Schools (Colts) representative and in 2015 its first SA u19 player.
In 2015, 4 of the school’s 2014 team was included in the WP and Boland Academy squads.
The school currently employs 2x level 3 coaches, with the third volunteer coach having a level 2.
The school has a single-strip turf wicket and 3 x concrete nets.
We follow a comprehensive cricket curriculum as outlined in the following section.
Structure of Activities
The annual curriculum is based on tried and tested activities used in the past with suitable adjustments and additions in the overall schedule. In the following sub sections is a brief analysis of stages an athlete will pass through in their skills development.
Analysis of Players
In this part of the curriculum, athletes will be required to take a self critical stance to their skills development. In addition it tries to profile individuals on their skills which will form the basis for further skills development in the latter stages. Below are the areas covered in this section of the curriculum:
- Skills Questionnaire
- Video Analysis
- Physical Evaluation
- Visual Assessment
- Psychological Profiling/Testing
- Individual Interviews
- Personal Cricket Projects
- Improving Strengths and Reducing Weaknesses
One of the most critical issues for sports athletes to identify is their strengths. Once an athlete identifies their strengths it provides a platform for them to develop these areas further. However this is only really effective when a player is able to reduce their weaknesses. Below are the areas covered in the curriculum which aim to bring out a players strengths and reduce their weaknesses:
- Skills Work and Drills
- Cricket Awareness
- Scheduled Individual Programmes
- Guest Speakers/Coaches
- Professional Services/Specialists
- ‘Cricket Awareness’
‘Cricket Awareness’ aspects are essential in the grooming of future 1st class cricketers. Lectures, discussion sessions and practical workshops form the basis of how the topics are covered. The subjects included in these would be the following:
- Dynamics of the Game
- Cricket Creed
- Tactics and Strategy – Planning and Plotting
- Bio-Mechanics of Batting and Bowling
- Game Plans
- Success and Strike Rates
- Basic Disciplines of 1-Day and All-Day Cricket
- Psychological Aspects of the Game
- Team Cohesion
- Codes of Behaviour
- Role Definition
- Captaincy
A range of former and current sports personalities are invited to address the athletes during the school year, not only touching on the issues mentioned above, but also on topical and significant matters such as leadership and injury management.
Nutrition Intervention
- Lectures in Basic Sport Nutrition – Topics Included:
- Glycogen Storage in Relation to Cricket
- The Role of Fat
- High Fat/Fat Free Foods
- Carbohydrate Portions
- Pre-Match Meal
- Intake During Matches
- Post-Exercise Carbohydrate Intake
- The Role of the Coach
- The Role of Alcohol
- Eating Out
- Ergogenic Aids Common to Cricket
The above factors are all important to the athlete in terms of their food intake and helping them maintain a healthy, balanced diet which subsequently, affects their performance. Therefore this area of the curriculum is very important to an athletes overall development.
- One-on-One Intervention
The coach/medical staff and the athlete will discuss the athlete’s requirements and establish whether the athlete is consuming the correct level and balance of nutrients. If the athlete’s requirements are not being met for whatever reason, a form of dietary intervention will take place to ensure the athlete gains all the nutrients they need to match their requirements.
- Physiological Aspects
Regular physical testing throughout the year supplements the full physical evaluation and assessment at the start of the year. Both, field and iso-kinetic tests are conducted and progress is monitored closely using the following techniques:
- Body Fat Percentage
- Flexibility
- Body Mass
- Height
- Pull-Ups (shoulder strength)
- Push-Ups (chest strength)
- Sit-Ups (abdominal endurance)
- Explosive Power
- Bleep Test (speed)
- 4km (cardiovascular/stamina)
- Knee Extension/Flexion
- Shoulder Extension/Flexion
The above exercise techniques ensure the athlete exercises all parts of the body to develop their overall level of aerobic fitness as well as strength, power and stamina. Essentially an individual athlete will concentrate on the exercise techniques that develop the specific parts of their body depending on what is required in their position. For example, an opening bowler in cricket will do more aerobic fitness and less power training than an opening batsman and vice versa.
Furthermore the above techniques are all applied within the total time schedule of the programme and throughout the post-off and in-season periods.
- Physiology ‘Learning’
In addition to the physical aspect of training, athletes are required to learn about various components of sports physiology. These components are covered in a series of lectures and workshops throughout the programme during which athletes l learn about the importance of factors such as:
- Terms and Definitions (of sports physiology)
- Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Principles of Training
- Exercise Routines
- Components of Fitness
- Stretching
- Injury Prevention
- Exercise Evaluation
- Exercise and Medication – Use of Drugs
- Psychology Application in Cricket
Sports psychology is increasingly becoming a central topic in sports skills development. In an increasingly competitive sporting world, the demands placed on athletes from supporters and the press are large and therefore it is important for athletes to be able to cope with these demands. In addition it is often noted that the best performers are those who are able to deal with media pressure as well as competitive/game pressure.
At WCSS, we are committed to giving athletes a diverse programme which incorporates many factors to their skills development which includes psychological development; indeed, this is a skill in its own right.
Self Knowledge/Awareness
The following concepts/questions are raised by the athletes to establish self-awareness:
- Who am I? (Stakeholders Assessment)
- Body-Mind Relationship
- Self Concept
- Me in a Team
- Self Image
- Self Talk
- Attitude in the Game
- Concentration and Focus
- Goal Setting
- Attending Skills
- Physic Energy
- Habit/Automatic Practice
- Imagery
- Discipline in Training
Life Skills
Sports development does not only focus solely on developing an individual’s sporting ability, but it attempts moreover to create a more ‘rounded’ individual through the teaching of life skills. Once an individual has learnt these basic disciplines, they are able to transfer these to their sport, in this case cricket which can assist them in becoming a more effective team player, for example. The following life skills are promoted at WCSS:
- Leadership
- Ethics and Drugs Taking
- Communication Skills
- Stress Management
Structure of the Cricket Training Year
Below is a table detailing the stages of the cricket training year and the type of activity used to develop a player’s skills and fitness at each stage. On the following page is a table detailing the schedule of the cricket training year and the type of training a player should undertake during these periods.
Period | Description | Duration | Type of Activity |
Off Season | This is described as an “active rest” period. Athletes take a break from cricket or cricket specific training and engage in pleasure activities or hobbies. If the player is injured, operations or recovery procedures should be done and a rehabilitation program established. |
12 Weeks (March, April, May) |
Squash, Tennis, Hiking, Jogging, Surfing etc…
|
Early Pre-Season | Here we address any weaknesses or any injuries that are revealed through iso-kinetic testing e.g. cybex machine. During this period a fitness base should be established in terms of flexibility, endurance and strength. Rehabilitation programs and weight training programs should be implemented e.g. ‘overload’ principle. |
8 Weeks (June, July) |
Continuous running, Fartlek and Long Slow Interval Training |
Pre-Season | At this point there is an increase in intensity. The introduction of shorter sharpening shuttles and drills. The training becomes ‘position-specific’ in terms of strength, speed and power work. This takes less training time than the aforementioned periods and builds into specific skills practice. |
8 Weeks (August, September) |
Short Fast Interval Training combined with Net Practice |
In Season | During the season it is imperative to maintain strength, flexibility and agility as well as ones overall fitness. NB, a high level of pre-season fitness is required in order to maintain an in-season training programme |
24 Weeks (October-March) |
Short agility, flexibility and strength work combined with net practice on inactive match days. |
- Conclusion
From the details disclosed in this report it is evident that the curriculum WCSS intends to incorporate into its school programme is comprehensive. It incorporates a physical approach to skills development with a learning one and examines many important factors which athletes need to take into account today.
Coupled with excellent facilities, the curriculum and learning program will develop an athletes knowledge of sport as well as their sporting ability.
WCSS aims to get the best out of people and help them reach their full potential. The curriculum programme is one aspect that helps us to achieve that aim.