Practice is traditionally conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30pm at the Harker Oval practice facility with all players encouraged to attend to participate in fielding drills and work on batting, bowling and/or wicket-keeping skills. There’s plenty of equipment provided and we encourage players to drive fielding activities.
2021/22 will bring it’s own set of unique challenges due to COVID-19 return-to-play guidelines and there are a couple of options the coaching staff are looking at to provide maximum involvement in a short amount of time.
These include:-
- Setting a ‘core’ and ‘optional’ training day depending on the Grade you are playing. For example, if you are playing in Second Grade, the core training day may be Tuesday with an option to attend on Thursday. On Tuesday you will have full access to competitive and throwdown nets, fielding and bowling. You are also encouraged to attend on Thursday however preference for nets and specialist activity will be given to those expected to train on that day.
- We encourage players to practice away from training. Fitness, repetitive work on technique and fielding can be done in small groups with a variety of equipment, anywhere, anytime.
- The club will implement a buddy system to bring players closer together. The idea being that all players should know each other, their skills and take an interest in their performance during the season – more to come on this one!
- We encourage all members to go out of their way to show support for juniors or new members to give them encouragement to enhance a feeling of belonging, and most importantly to enjoy the sessions.
Cricket is very casual about training attendance and times which makes it hard for coaching staff to provide quality sessions not knowing the number of players in each grade turning up and at what time. Please try to attend your training day(s) from beginning to end.
Wests is committed to developing and supporting our players, both on the field, but equally off the field. In additional to our coaching staff, there are numerous initiatives to support and provide development opportunities for players away from training:
- Above the shoulders mental support
- HSC advice and guidance
- Coach Accreditation Courses
- Leadership program for current and prospective Captains
- Mentoring Programmes
