I started playing cricket at junior school in the early 1970s, when I attended the Ilford Cricket School under Bill Morris. Now, some 50 years later, I still play when I can, but I spend a lot more time coaching than playing.
My first experience of coaching others was at University, where I was “volunteered” to help the newly formed Ladies’ section, but it was not until 2009 that I started out on the formal coaching pathway, taking the old Level 1 qualification and coaching as a volunteer with the Colts’ section at the Oakfield Parkonians CC.
In 2013 I was made redundant from my marketing job in online publishing, and took the decision to become a full-time cricket coach.
I coached at the MCC Cricket Academy (now the Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre) for 6 years (until the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns), specialising in group coaching with younger players from three years of age upwards. Post-lockdown, I have returned to Lord’s, working with the U13 Performance and Development squads.
I also worked for the Essex County Cricket Board at the Essex Indoor Cricket Centre, Chelmsford, delivering 1-to-1 sessions with aspiring Pathway players.
I have coached the junior sections at both Oakfield Parkonians CC and Regent’s Park CC, and also worked with the men’s Cricket Club at Queen Mary University for two seasons, as well as delivering 1-to-1 programmes for players of all ages.
More recently, I became an All Stars Cricket Activator, and Chance to Shine coach, and deliver sessions to support the Team Up initiative, taking cricket for girls into secondary schools.
I am a Tutor to All Stars and Dynamos Cricket Activators, and am qualified as an ECB Coach Developer, to deliver Coach Education programmes & workshops.
Andrew Beaven, Better Cricket
Qualifications
- ECB “Coach” Award – UKCC 2
- ECB Coaching in Primary Schools
- ECB Disability Inclusion
- Post-level 2 Workshops
- ECB Coaching Children: Creating the Learning Climate for Children
- ECB Coaching Children: Skill Development for Children
- ECB Coaching Children: Game Based Learning for Children
- ECB Coaching YPA: Performance & Video Analysis
- ECB Coaching YPA: Training Interventions & Methods
- ECB Coach Developer
- National Programmes (All Stars & Dynamos Cricket) Activator Tutor
ECB Coaches Association member
The Teesra 