RICK'S DIARY

With the support of Cricket NSW, Rick McCarthy has been travelling around rural NSW and conducting coaching clinics for children. One of the highlights of the clinics has been the Speedball Speedgun. To read more about Rick's travels, check out Rick's diary below...

Yass Trial - Cricket NSW Junior Country Development Program (24 March 2006)

Yass was the fourth and final trial for the Cricket NSW Country Cricket Development Program and was just as successful and enjoyable as the previous trials at Bourke, Cootamundra, and Young.

The schools catering for the influx of promotional visits of the four football codes and the swimming trials and carnivals this term, we were very encouraged at the enthusiastic response and support for our GALA DAY. 140  Primary school children only, expected from a town that has but 45 junior cricketers on their books.

 Evan, Dave Babbage and myself drove into town a day later than usual as the Level "O" evening was cancelled due to the time in the season and the inability of most interested people to return home from work in Canberra in time for a Coaching Forum. Our first introduction was the radio station 100.3 YASS FM giving a detailed plug for the Gala Day taking place tomorrow, which we then heard a number of times leading up to Friday. We booked in to the accommodation and met the local representatives (led by Mark Garland) at Victoria Park, a suitable Sports Complex for our Gala Day. Their excitement was evident with the response from the town and surrounding schools. We took note of all facilities for Evan to draw up the ground plan for the activities and timed schedule as done in each town previously - this time with a request for all drill type activities, not competitive games, i.e. Super 8's etc. We decided on 14 Stations of fun skill drills including the Bowling Machine, Speedgun, Batting Boards, Crazy Catch nets, Wazza Balls and the Bradman Display.

We went back to the motel to draw up the schedule and have it printed for all teams and assistants to receive a copy the next day. Then back into town to meet with some of those assisting and to hold a general discussion on local cricket which took the place of the Admin.Forum.

Friday morning was an early start setting up the oval and briefing the Station assistants. I was again impressed as seven talented high school Yass cricketers, by selection, gave their time to put back into their sport and run a Station each.

Councillor Michael McMannis officially opened the day after expressing the importance to all children of sport in their daily life. The ability of playing cricket from their age to sixty odd and beyond, and mentioned some of the Yass past players both male and female that had gone on to represent their State and Country, Ian Craig to mention one. The day went like clockwork with every child having 15 mins on each activity and sufficient time for water breaks and lunch. The key was the enthusiastic helpers who were prepared to stay with their station and make it interesting for each group. The Speedgun issued 150 Penalty Notices. A number of things were highlighted throughout the day, for example, some games at each station could be scored for an overall team or individual winner (eg fastest bowler, furthest throw),and a page of questions, answers to be found by those reading the Bradman Display.

During the day many queries came from schools, coaches, parents and Association members regarding skill drills and modified games and we distributed literature such as Orientation to Coaching, Level "O" Umpiring and Scoring, 12 Week Milo program, Cricket NSW Skill Drills and others.

At the end of the day praises were flowing of its success with many requests for a re-visit in September '06. There were many(8) inquiries from Schools and the Association for the information to purchase, in particular the Crazy Catch nets and Batting Boards while two schools wish to purchase Milo Starter Kits. Another good positive from the day.

The day closed with us thanking them all for their participation in such good spirits, the teacher/parent helpers being given a poster of Sir Donald Bradman "Cover Drive" donated by Evan and Rick, the talented cricketer helpers a Cap, donated by Northern Districts (Sydney), Bowning School a tin of Milo for their efforts in travelling and the last of the Helmets donated by Cricket NSW were given to Yass Junior Cricket for their rep. kit. All children received a Milo sticker, and three brochures from- Bradman Museum, Friends of Bradman and the Bradman Clinics.

A rewarding finish to 4 very successful Country Town Visits.

Young Trial - Cricket NSW Junior Country Development Program (13.14.15 March 2006)

Setting off from Bowral Monday morning with renewed enthusiasm, Young was the town that had the least follow up required since my initial visit a couple of weeks ago to make contact with the Young Cricket Association. Graham Marshall (President) couldn't have been more accommodating with this trial. As we passed through Harden/Murrumburrah we noticed a junior game in progress so we stopped to stretch the legs.  It was a PSSA round between Cootamundra and Murrumburrah; some children who had attended the Cootamundra GALA DAY last Friday were keen to tell us how their new acquired skills were working. Good positive feedback was expressed from the parents and school teachers.

We arrived in Young and were met at the motel by Graham Marshall. After booking in we were given a tour of the town and facilities we would be using over the next couple of days. First, the coaching forum at the Rugby League Club house and ground. We set up early (the drills, classroom handouts and the Mobile Bradman Display, which has created an interest at each coaching and administration forums), a little unsure of the response due to the time in the cricket season. We were very encouraged when ending up with fourteen, including representation from Boorowa. They were all very impressed with Evan's presentation both theory and practical which prompted requests for a Level"1" Coaching Course and a Umpires Course during the off season. This request has also been passed on to Max Shepherd (Cricket NSW Regional Officer).

Thursday was a day to draw up the planned schedule for the 180 senior and juniors expected for the GALA DAY, to incorporate Super 8's, Modified Games and the Special Training equipment (Bowling Machine, Speedgun , Crazy Catch Nets and Batting Tiles), then setup the portable net frame and plan the oval layout. While we were doing this we heard Radio 2 Triple Y for the second day in a row announce the full three day program in detail which didn't surprise me after seeing how the whole town were behind our visit. Steve Brill (Junior President) rang and requested us to attend the U12 and U16 final training session pre Finals, this coming weekend.  Again Evan ran their sessions with drills they (coaches and children alike) had never seen, so we gave them booklets on the 12 week MILO Program, Cricket NSW Skill Drills and Slater Drills.

A quick clean up and off to the Serviceman's Club for the Administration Forum. This again was well attended by nine keen members. Max Sheperd had arrived so we passed over the Chair to him. Two solid hours of constructive discussion took place covering the following topics: Club structure, explanation of the new admin. kits, similar to Victoria, soon to be distributed by Cricket Australia, inter association pathway for juniors to seniors, essential senior registrations to be covered by insurance, Child Protection Act, Funding available to all Associations, Joint data base for all Associations direct to Cricket NSW for registrations, Balls used for juniors and helmets(decided - local issue), Talented Pathway for boys and girls Western Region and Cricket NSW, the Girls Pathway getting a special mention, and finally volunteers issue was discussed. The Night closing, all with the opinion that it was very productive to be able to discuss many issues that arise during the season but individually don't warrant a phone call.

Gala Day setup commenced at 6.30. Marquees, and a vast amount of equipment, on and off the field, in the canteen, displays and sponsors banners to be in place by 9.15 before the arrival of the children, would only ensue smooth running of the day. This was accomplished by again the support from an appreciative group. Another Radio announcement was heard promoting the day’s event.

Mayor Gerry Bailey (a keen but ex-cricketer himself) opened the Day with a message in thanking Cricket NSW for this concept and its continued success and reminded all participants of the importance of sport in our lives and the possibility of a future State or Australian player in our midst to continue the percentages of Country Players in our Representative sides.

The day went on without a hic-up with every boy and girl getting a chance to bat against the bowling machine, be booked by the NSW Police Officer who was excellent in his banter while writing each one a "TICKET". The Crazy Catch nets had them stretching while the Batting Board had most of them bluffed against its turn. The senior four groups played a Super 8's competition while the junior ten teams rotated around the Modified games (Diamond cricket, Four Bowler cricket, Baseball reverse return, Tee Driving cricket and Driving cricket). Plenty of breaks built into the day due to the heat.

Final count for the day 219 smiling faces!

A quick few words of thanks were expressed to all schools, volunteers, canteen staff, NSW Police, local sponsors and Young Cricket Association for their complete support for this program, while the Helmets were awarded to the Junior Association for their rep. kit. Grenfell and Boorowa were given a small token of appreciation for their travel and support.

A memorable visit for 219 children and an enthusiastic town!

Next week being our last Trial I invite representatives from Cricket NSW (Sydney), Tourism Sport and Rec. (Sydney) and SPEEDBALL to come to YASS Friday 24 March starting 9.30am, to experience what a benefit this program is. Those interested please contact Rick 0408670812.

Cootamundra Trial – Cricket NSW Junior Country Development Program (8.9.10 March 2006)

A huge success for all concerned. Evan and I arrived in Cootamundra Wednesday lunch time. Upon contacting the Junior President Lyal Twyford we were met and taken on a familiarisation tour of the town, the schools and the sporting facilities. We went to the motel to book in and were met by the Senior President Mark Elia, together they gave us a run down of their preparation and the format of the three days.We left to set up for the Coaching Clinic at the Frank Smith Grandstand, Fisher Park. We were met by Prime TV media where we were interviewed and footage taken of the Level "O" clinic, in the class room and on the field. The attendance was good considering it is the end of the season. Comments were "if we knew it was going to be this informative we would have had more," can we have one at the start of the season and we will include more schools and the junior coaches." Interest was shown in the Bradman Display and discussion followed over finger food dinner that was supplied.

The following morning we were met again by Lyal and he asked would we go to Elourea, the Special Needs School, We agreed arriving to a class of smiling faces. They had just been writing about our visit so we sat with them in the classroom and listened to the expectations before going outside for some basic drills and a game. They had endless energy and would have been happy for us to stay all day. We presented them with some giveaways, a memento of our visit. The Cootamundra Herald were there to capture the moment, and had it front page the next morning, Friday, the day of the GALA DAY.

Lyal then asked if we could set up the Speedgun at Coota High nets during the lunch break, which we did and proved to be a great draw card. 58 boys and girls were given penalty notices of their bowling and throwing speeds. Evan and I then went to Nicholson Park, where the GALA DAY was being held the next day, to set up the portable net and set out on paper the ground plan of activities for the expected 180 children.

Back at the motel while preparing for the Admin. forum night at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club we were given about 2.5mins on Prime news, footage taken the previous evening and interviews covering extensively the three day visit by Cricket NSW.

A poor turn up for the Admin. forum mainly put down to the time of the season and all other codes commencing training. A positive highlighted, was to send out a more detailed format of what can be or will be covered on this evening (maybe rename). Early season preparation also a key as Regional Cricket NSW Officers have covered most issues during the season.

The following morning we had an early start to the day. We were set up and ready to role by the time children arrived at 7.30 – Thanks to Martin Garoni who arrived last night t help with the set up. The senior children playing Super 8's, three groups of three teams on three fields with one team each group on the special equipment 15min. rotation (Bowling Machine, Speedgun, Crazy Catch Nets, and Batting Boards). The juniors playing Diamond cricket two teams on three fields and one team on the special equipment rotation.

The Mayor Clr Paul Braybrook gave a good opening address acknowledging Cricket NSW, The Bradman Foundation Display and all the sponsors individually and explained to the children how lucky they were to be selected for this trial. He did mention to me afterwards that he was in Sydney for meetings and flew back for the opening and was now leaving for the airport to return to his commitments in Sydney. A true indication of the importance and hospitality shown by Cootamundra to this program.

The Cootamundra Herald and Prime News mingled all day amongst the children and volunteers, interviewing Martin Garoni, Evan McCarthy and Pat Kerin. Lunch time break came and while everyone was enjoying a sausage sizzle and free flavoured milk (donated locally), Sacred Heart Secondary School arrived with 25 students in their bus for a bowl and throw against the Speedgun. By the end of the day everyone was raving on how good and successful the day had been.

The closing speeches were very positive and full of invitations to return leading up to the season. A few minor presentations were made to the local association of helmets for their rep. kit and one to Stockinbingal Primary for theirs. Harden was also acknowledged for their participation and distance travelled. We packed up and denied the temptation to stay the night, due to Evan's commitments to playing Sydney grade, Saturday.

Young next Monday.