Outcome: Deliver a breadth of supplementary player development programmes and workshops to provide access to coaching and additional support to a range of players.

We deliver a breadth of supplementary programmes that provide access to coaching and additional support to a range of players or targeted support for state school individuals who may not receive the same level of opportunity to develop their talent as their peers within the independent sector.

OXFORDSHIRE BULLS

Summary 

A programme of support for state schoolboys within our Pathway to bridge the opportunity gap between independent and state sectors.

Background

The Oxfordshire Bulls programme aims to bridge the opportunity gap between independent and state school sectors by providing targeted support for state school players across the Pathway who may not receive the same level of support, or opportunity to develop their talent as their peers within the independent sector.

The idea of the “Oxfordshire Bulls” was conceived in the summer of 2016, the offshoot of a series of conversations over the summer, with the idea of increasing competitive match-play opportunities for children attending state primary schools. Whilst the Chance to Shine programme has been a superb initiative in preserving cricket in state schools, for those children with a real passion for the game, the typical cricket offering in a primary school is far removed from the regular hardball fixtures that make up summer term for most prep schoolboys.

The initial principle of the Oxfordshire Bulls was to select a team of Year 6 (Under 11) children involved in the Pathway and to arrange summer term fixtures against a selection of local independent schools, offering the state-educated boys additional longer-format cricket, and starting to close the opportunity gap. The first fixture, organised at St Edward’s School against a Dragon School XI, was unfortunately cancelled due to rain, but the programme has since grown with fixtures with a number of other local schools, involvement in tournaments and coaching sessions at Wellington College, Abingdon School and St Edward’s School.

The summer of 2019 saw “Bulls” sides compete in fixtures at Under 10 and Under 12 level, as well as in the original Under 11 age group and in February of 2020, we integrated an indoor component of the Bulls programme for the very first time. The winter training programme was unfortunately met with the first wave of Covid-19 and national restrictions that curtailed our activity, but after a two year period of absence, we are delighted to recommence the Bulls programme with an enhanced offering from 2022 and beyond.

To increase the accessibility of the programme, and to help remove cost as a barrier for talent inclusion, we have committed to heavily subsidising the cost of the winter programme and to making the fixture programme free of charge to all those involved in 2022. We are very thankful to Abingdon School and St Edward’s School who have hosted activities this winter and to those Schools who will support us this summer – Dragon School, Cothill House, Magdalen College School, St Edward’s and Abingdon.

FALCONS

Summary

A programme of support for state school girls within our Pathway to bridge the opportunity gap between independent and state sectors.

Background

We are delighted to announce the commencement of a brand new programme of support for State School girls within our Pathway – The Oxfordshire Falcons.

The Oxfordshire Falcons is a targeted programme that provides support for State School Girls who may not receive the same level of support as their peers within the independent sector. The newly formed programme in 2022 will aim to bridge the opportunity gap between independent and state school environments, specifically for our Girls Pathway.

The Oxfordshire Falcons programme prioritises specific age groups where the gap between state and independent school cricket offering is most prevalent, and we deliver greater activity at these age groups across the winter and summer, whilst still offering something for those age groups at the start of their journey through our Pathway (Girls Under 11).

The additional player development opportunities provide an environment for players to develop their talent over time, with the support of pathway coaches and fellow peers. Our ambition is to provide regular (weekly/fortnightly) coaching sessions at selected time-points to augment our Pathway programme, as well as additional playing opportunities during the summer. 

To increase the accessibility of the programme, and to help remove cost as a barrier for talent inclusion, we have committed to heavily subsidising the cost of the winter programme and to making the fixture programme free of charge to all those involved in 2022. We are very thankful to St Helen and St Katharine School who hosted the recent Falcons Training Camp during the Easter of 2022, in addition to St Edwards School who will also support the programme through the summer.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Summary

Opportunities to access additional coaching and support to a range of players.

Background

The Player Development Workshops provide Boys and Girls with the opportunity to access additional coaching and support to further develop their talent and enjoy playing cricket. We deliver a varied programme of workshops annually that explore a range of performance areas and target specific skill disciplines or themes within the game.

The workshops are delivered across multiple academic half term weeks and School holiday periods to increase the accessibility of the workshops for those in the independent and state school sector and are specifically designed for Representative, Club or School players who have or currently play hardball cricket. Our player development workshops are led by the Performance team, alongside Pathway Coaches and specialist guest coaches from time to time.

Information and booking details for the Player Development Workshops are made available throughout the year at various time points via our communication platforms.