An important aspect of the Coach Development Programme is running high-quality coaching courses to upskill and educate coaches on both what to coach (the 'science') and how to coach (the 'art').

New Zealand Cricket has a clear Coach Pathway which is aligned to the Player Pathway.  We advise that coaches should only complete the coaching qualification that is matched to the level of cricketers they are coaching and just as players advance through the Player Pathway, so do the coaches through the Coach Pathway. The new pathway is about horizontal learning, as a result, a coach may become an expert at a particular level rather than progressing up the ladder.

Details of the coaching courses run by Auckland Cricket are below.  To register on a course or for more information, you can email Matt Blandford at Auckland Cricket.

FOUNDATION COACH

This is a free online and practical course covering the key aspects of coaching (coaching children for fun and success, managing a group, communication and behaviour, providing feedback, ages and stages of beginner players, coaching practice and basic cricket skills).

The online modules can be completed at any time from the comfort of your home.

Recommended for:

Mums and dads, grandparents, volunteers, teachers, beginner coaches or cricket development officers wanting to help young 5-15-year-olds mainly involved in modified games or formats (such as Superstar Cricket).  These could be run in schools, clubs or the community.  It is also useful for mums and dads wanting to help sons or daughters in the backyard, on the beach or in the park.

Length:

Online Module: Approximately 70 minutesPractical Module: Approximately 90 Minutes

Cost:

Free

Getting started:

Joining the online course is free and easy. Click HERE to register and get started

ADVANCED FOUNDATION

This course consists of online and practical modules.

The online modules cover many aspects of coaching (role of the coach, selecting a team, developing team values and culture, planning, how to run effective practices, match day routines and tactics, umpiring and scoring)

The practical module consists of skills and drills as well as coaching experience.

Recommended for:

Mums and dads, grandparents, volunteers, teachers, beginner coaches or cricket development officers coaching junior hardball cricket. This includes Age and Stage – Primary and Intermediate playing formats played in junior clubs, primary and intermediate schools or hardball cricket in junior secondary schools (Year 9 and 10).

Length:

Online – about 2 hours Practical – 3 hours

How to get started:

Register for a course by clicking on the button below. Complete the online modules at home and contact your local club about the practical module for this course.

Cost:

There is a cost involved in the Advanced Foundation Course, please contact your local club for specific costs.

Getting started:

Joining the online course is easy.  Click HERE to register and get started

DEVELOPMENT COURSE (FORMALLY LEVEL 1)

12-16 Hours (Non-examinable)

This is a blended course which combines online modules, practical modules and personal study and is intended for those coaches of Secondary School, Youth and Intermediate District teams who have some knowledge and/or playing experience of cricket. It is a minimum qualification for DA representative or secondary school 1stXI coaches. It focusses on planning, the role of the coach, skill acquisition, growth and maturation, umpiring, cricket skills and demonstrating an understanding of effective coaching.

ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT COACHING COURSE

This course is under construction and is intended to provide development coaches with ongoing learning and extension opportunities. Please contact Matt Blandford for more information.

NZC DEVELOPMENT COURSE

This course is targeted at coaches who have previously completed the Advanced Foundation Course and have coached hardball cricket for a minimum of 3 seasons. It is intended for coaches who are coaching secondary school level players or advanced Intermediate level players.

The course focusses on planning, the role of the coach, skill acquisition, growth and maturation, umpiring, cricket skills and demonstrating an understanding of effective coaching. The coaches are required to complete online modules before attending the Friday evening and Saturday (full day) practical sessions, a total of 12-15 hours learning.

Option 1:

Saturday 9 September, 2023 | 9am – 4:30pm, Eden ParkSunday 10 September, 2023 | 9am – 1pm, Eden Park

Option 2:

Saturday 16 September, 2023 | 9am - 4:30pm, Eden ParkSunday 17 September, 2023 | 12pm - 4, Colin Maiden Park Indoor Hall

To register for either course please click on the link below

https://form.jotform.com/212517563288865

As coaches, we are there for our players.  We strive to take an athlete-centred approach to coaching where the needs of each athlete come first.  As such the environment we create:

• Is challenging and fun
• Is safe and encourages a sense of belonging
• Encourages excellence in performance
• Fosters participation, skill development and teamwork.
• Develops well-rounded individuals who are confident, creative,  accountable, set personal goals and are good decision-makers
• Emphasizes fair play and upholds the ‘Spirit of Cricket’

This means that the coach is not judged on the result of the game.  The real test is if the players are enjoying themselves, looking forward to coming back next week, learning, and playing hard but fair.

In their approach to coaching, coaches can ask questions, set up situations which encourage players to solve problems and can share the ownership of the team by allowing players to have a role in decision making.  The result of such an approach will be players who feel valued and respected, are innovative, self-aware and less coach dependent.

Coaching is about developing better people, no matter what age or ability, not just better cricketers.

Below is the New Zealand Cricket Coaches Pathway, this pathway shows the progression from coaching course to coaching course.

This pathway shows the progression of coaching courses and the age groups and teams in which you could potentially coach at each level. Please note this has changed from the old pathway which was a vertical pathway. The new pathway is about horizontal learning, as a result a coach may become an expert at a particular level rather than progressing up the ladder.