BATTING and bowling are no longer the only skills needed to become a great cricketer according to Parramatta Cricket Academy head coach Paul Calvert.
As the game has evolved in the professional era, so too has the need for young players to learn about highperformance training, discipline and nutrition.
“You can’t get by the old way of having half a dozen beers and playing every week,” Calvert said.
“If people want to become a competitive cricketer, nutrition is a big part of it.”
Proper nutrition is just one of the subjects 50 young cricketers will be learning about during a 12-week course designed to bring out the best of young talent in the region.
As a former Parramatta first grader and Level 2 certifed coach, Paul is happy he is able to give back to his club by coaching the academy.
“I have an interest in junior cricket and I was looking at putting something back to my club,” he said.
“It’s about giving people the opportunity to become better players.
“In other words we’re putting them in a nursery and growing them into first graders.”
Each participant is hand-picked by the coaching staff — a difficult task.
“Parramatta is a massive district,” Mr Calvert said.
“We look at a lot of things in our players.
“We go through lots of statistics, watch a lot of cricket … it's hard and it’s really for people who want to take their game to the next level.”
Head Coach - Paul Calvert
What some have said about the Parramatta Cricket Academy:
Thanks again for all the support the PDCC have given these boys over the season and for all the time and effort Paul and Matt have put into the Academy, training and matches. Winning the grand final was a fitting reward. "
- Pete W.
"We appreciate your commitments and tireless effort to significantly improved the boys cricket skills during the last season."
- Siri W.
"All opposition coaches commented on the professionalism and sportsmanship of the Parramatta boys. All in all a great week for Parramatta cricket and the Parramatta Cricket Academy."
- Mark M.
Academy Director - Matt Roughan
PROFESSIONALISM and a holistic approach to coaching and player development are now integral to all talented development programs says Academy Director Matt Roughan
Success in elite sport is becoming less and less about skills and talent alone.
"At the Parramatta Cricket Academy, we had adopted a more holistic approach to delivering our program which means that a much smaller percentage of the time for participants is spent on the technical aspects of the game (e.g., batting and bowling)." he said.
"We put a lot of time into understanding the boys personally, providing personal development and self sufficiency skills."
"This includes a focus on the physical and mental side of the game, building effective communcation, leadership and personal management skills."
As a former grade cricketer and experienced coach of talented juniors, holding Level 2 National Coaching Accrediations in AFL and Cricket, Matt has seen how important it is to make sure talented juniors are developed in multiple dimensions.
"Whether they aspire to be professional sportsmen, or just reach their full potential, the principles are the same. Hard work, discipline, preparation, character and support play a massive part in sustainable success," Roughan said.
"Our program is unquie we believe, in that it addresses these aspects to a much higher degree and introduces the concepts much earlier."
Specialist Coaches
Supporting the Academy are a number of specialist coaches including:
-
Former Test Cricketer - Doug Walters
-
Current International - Sean Abbott
-
Former First Grade Cricketer - Greg Davidson
-
Current First Grade Cricketers - Nick Bertus, Scott Copperfield and Michael Castle
Background
The Parramatta District Cricket Club (PDCC) has been committed to junior development for many years. Now in its 10th year, the academy has helped many young players on their path to cricketing success, including Nick Bertus, Scott Copperfield and Australian representative Sean Abbott. The Parramatta Cricket Academy (PCA) was created to modernize and improve on that important legacy. The PCA aims to:
-
better prepare and retain talented Parramatta juniors;
-
improve club success in all grades; and
-
increase Parramatta representation in NSW representative and Talented Player Pathway (TPP) programs
The Parramatta Cricket Academy targets the 13 – 16 years age players and has an annual intake of approximately 50 participants. Participation is by invitation only.
