Return to Emirates Old Trafford - Week Commencing 8th March
We are pleased to be returning to our Campus, in line with Government guidance, Week Commencing 8th March.
Timetables will be sent out to students early next week so that they can plan their return to college to start face to face learning again.
letters have been sent out to all students who attend college and the details can be found below.
we are looking forward to seeing students again and resuming teaching in the classroom.
If you have any questions or queries please get In touch with a member of our staff.
Dear Student,
We hope you remain safe, well and engaged in your studies. We write to update you about arrangements regarding your return to College campuses following the recent Government announcement on the return to education on 8th March as part of the Government roadmap out of Covid.
In line with the Government advice, all students will be able to return to College campuses on or after 8 March 2021, unless clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), in which case CEV students are not expected to return until 31 March 2021. On line delivery will continue to support your studies.
Your Course
The delivery of your course will revert to the model that we used in Term 1 with the majority of timetabled sessions delivered face to face. Where appropriate, some large group lectures or theory-based modules may continue to include online sessions. The subject ‘bubbles’ for on campus delivery proved successful in Term 1 and we will continue to maintain this approach for the return to campus on and after 8 March.
Additionally, we have reviewed where we need to re-organise our timetables to maximise delivery of the practical aspects of your course and use of campus spaces for the remainder of the academic year. This may mean timetable changes for some courses to allow more blocks of practical time for the remainder of the academic year. Our Course Teams will be in touch with you to provide further information on this.
Further Education and 14-16 Provision
In order to accelerate any catch up for practical aspects of courses, Term 2 will be extended to include an additional week (22/3 to 26/3/21) before the Easter break.
With regards to examinations and assessments, we await an update from Government and will communicate this directly when received.
University Centre/Higher Education No Detriment Policy and May Exams
As detailed in our previous letters, the University (UCLan) No Detriment Policy is being applied for the whole year for those of you on University Centre Myerscough Higher Education programmes.
To ensure that your exams can be delivered in a Covid-safe way, any examinations for your course for the May exam period will be delivered locally by the Course Teams. This may include the use of alternative forms of assessment such as those used in the January exam period. Your tutors will be in touch to provide you with further details on this. If you do have circumstances that are affecting your studies, and in particular your assessments, please contact your tutors who will be extremely happy to help.
Residential Students
All residential students will be able to return to their residential accommodation on or after 7th March. The residential team will write to you separately with further details on the arrangements for your return to your residential accommodation. The restaurants, shop, Library, IT Drop In etc will be open as usual. The Gym and Stumble Inn will remain closed in line with Government guidance. Sports students will be able to engage in tutor supervised sports instruction and coaching.
Work Placements
Work placements will continue where placement providers are in agreement, and are able to ensure a Covid safe environment.
Transport
College bus services will resume as normal from Monday 8th March. Please adhere to social distancing and mask wearing in order to protect yourselves and others.
Laptop Loan Scheme
Whilst we are returning to site, the scheme will continue through to the end of the academic year at which point you will be required to return any devices. Students who have accessed the scheme may need to bring the devices to on site sessions.
Students at Croxteth, Warrington, Witton and Manchester Centres must bring devices. Elsewhere, tutors will advise where this is necessary. When transporting the devices, please ensure they are suitably protected in an appropriate bag.
Covid-19 Arrangements
The safety of our students and staff is paramount. The Covid-safety plans that we implemented in Term 1 proved highly effective in creating an environment which is safe for both our staff and students and we are very proud of our record in this regard. We will continue with those arrangements from 8th March including:
To support the maintenance of the curriculum bubbles, staggered breaks and lunches will continue and these will be detailed on your timetable.
Our restaurants and eateries will be open, and space will also be provided if you prefer to bring a packed lunch and refreshments.
One-way systems will continue to be in operation in some buildings.
Our Library, Student Support Centre’s (The Core) and HE Centre will be open as usual with safety and social distancing measures in place.
Our classrooms will continue to be set up to maintain social distancing.
Those of you who have already got your own devices (laptops etc.) will be encouraged to bring them in to use on-campus to help reduce the demand for computers in the drop-in study areas.
Sanitisation stations will continue to be available in all curriculum buildings and cross-college areas, including the bus stops. However, we also recommend that you also bring your own personal hand sanitiser.
These measures are kept under constant review and with that in mind the following additional requirements will be in place for the return to campus on 8 March 2021:
Wearing of face coverings in all areas of College including in classrooms – We have extended the wearing of face coverings to everywhere on campus including during outdoor practical activities even when two metres can be maintained. The only exceptions to this rule will be for any strenuous physical activities.
Regular lateral flow tests for all staff and students currently on site - There will be an expectation that all students will have at least one lateral flow test a week, whether that be at home or on campus, full details of this testing will be shared with you on your return to campus.
If you are one of our 14-16 students and attend school you should complete your lateral flow test at school. For home educated 14-16 students you will be required to provide consent for testing (documentation will be provided).
Students attending our Warrington and Old Trafford, Manchester sites will commence directly with home testing - your teams will advise you accordingly.
Financial Support
We have a number of bursaries and hardship funds specifically to support all students with their studies. These funds are there to help you:
Additionally, we also have a new ‘Covid Hardship’ and ‘Digital’ Bursaries for Higher Education students. Please do not hesitate to contact your tutor to discuss your needs.
Further Support
Our continuing priority throughout Covid-19 has been to ensure that our students and staff are kept safe and that we can provide support to assist their wellbeing. Coming back onto Campus may provoke a variety of emotions for individuals and we want to assure you that we are here to support during what could be a difficult return to campus for some. If you have any questions, or you are concerned about your own health and wellbeing (or that of your friends), please feel free to talk to The Core’s team of Student Support and Welfare Officers. We can provide counselling sessions from our team of qualified College Counsellor or provide support for you to access external support or support and wellbeing strategies. Below is a list of contact details for support, should you need them:
Safeguarding: safeguarding@myerscough.ac.uk
01995 642348 / 01995 642205
Safeguarding (24 hrs): 07407 304267
Mentalhealthsupport@myerscough.ac.uk
07407 304267 (not 24hrs)
The Core – All Centres for Student Support and Welfare: 01995 642348 / 642205 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm)
The Core – Croxteth Centre: 0151 228 3565 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm)
Residential Support Team (24hrs): 07889 754287
External health, wellbeing and mental health support is also available through the following organisations:
Careers Information Advice and Guidance will be maintained through online appointments - careers@myerscough.ac.uk
Further Updates
Please continue to check the College social media and our website in order to keep up to date with any changes we need to make in response to Government advice. We will continue to keep you up to date with any developments. In the meantime, please stay safe.
With very best wishes,
Steven Downham-Clarke
Vice Principal & Deputy Chief Executive
Leaders Series #6 - Jeremy bray
“Good communication is absolute king when it comes to getting the best out of the players and people you work with.”
We are excited to continue with our Leaders Series and we are incredibly thankful to Jeremy Bray for agreeing to answer our questions.
Jeremy is currently the Head Coach of the Danish National Cricket Association - and will shortly be taking over the same role for the Vanuatu Cricket Association.
He has represented New South Wales and Australia U19’s at both ODI and test Level. Jermey later played for and Captained The Irish National Cricket Team, also playing in the 2007 World Cup in the west Indies.
Coaching wise, Jerey has coached a variety of teams, including the Ireland Women’s Team, and now Denmark.
We were able to chat to Jeremy Below…
What do you do?/ What roles or jobs do you currently have?
I am currently the National head coach and Head of High performance for the Danish National cricket Association. I will soon be leaving that role to take over the same roles for Vanuatu cricket Association. Both roles cover all aspects of coach and player development.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and path or journey to where you are now?
I was Born in Australia where I represented Australia U19’s and NSW at all levels. I Moved to Ireland at 23 and went on to represent Ireland National side and played in the 2007 world cup in the West Indies.
I Moved into coaching around 2011 staring with Ireland 19 men’s side which qualified for the 2012 u19 world cup in Australia then in 2012 moved into the Head coach of the National Ireland women’s team for 2 years which saw them qualify for the 2014 women’s world cup in Bangladesh.
Between 2014 to 2021 I was National Head coach of the Danish men’s and underage cricket teams.
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
There is no typical week as a national coach as work is very sporadic due to the players being Amateurs. Winter would contain a lot of indoor practice, video analysis and winter program preparation.
Summer would entail less practice with the national players as they are with their clubs more often than in the winter. Summer their is a lot of time watching matches and going on tours.
What have been your biggest challenges? / What have been your highlights?
Biggest challenges are the lack of time I get to work with the players as they are all amateurs and in fulltime work and studies. Also player availability for big tournaments where quite often we don’t have our best players fully available.
Biggest highlights are any success stories of the players I have worked with. The joy on a players face when they have put so much time and effort into making improvements in their game and go onto see that work paying off is priceless as a coach in my opinion.
What advice would you give to our students?/ What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Best advice I was given and would give to anyone would be to always look to improve yourself everyday and to gain as much knowledge in the field you are drawn to. Also good communication is absolute king when it comes to getting the best out of the players and people you work with.
Regardless of how much knowledge or success an individual may have achieved, if that person can’t communicate properly to his charges then the allure of the coaches/persons individual success stories will be very quickly lost on the players or people he or she is working with or trying to improve. Also the player needs to know and believe you care about them as a person not just what they can or can’t do on the field.
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase, or picture?
Anyone I can learn from inspires me regardless of the field of specialty and how successful or not they have been. I am very much of the opinion everyone can learn from everyone.
One name in particular who had a huge impact on my coaching style is Ashley Ross who headed up the coach development at the Icc cricket Academy in Dubai and also coach Development at the South Australia institute of sport. A brilliant communicator and extremely knowledgeable individual who was just amazing to talk to and be in his company.
Leaders Series #5 - Glenn Pocknall
“Don’t compare yourself to others and instead focus on being better every day, just 1% - in whatever field you are in.”
We’ve gone further afield for number 5 in our leaders Series and Glenn Pocknall has been kind enough to answer our questions.
Glenn is Head coach of the Wellington Firebirds in New Zealand. The Wellington Firebirds are one of six New Zealand first-class cricket teams that make up New Zealand Cricket. They are based in Wellington and play their games at The Basin Reserve. They compete in the Plunket Shield first class competition, the Ford Trophy domestic one day competition and the Super Smash Twenty20 competition.
Glenn has coached New Zealand previously as he was appointed Head Coach for the New Zealand XI to take on the Pakistan national team in a List A match and the Sri Lanka national team in three day match. Both were in preparation for their upcoming series against the BLACKCAPS. He was responsible for overall communication for the team and took on the role as Batting coach at the same time.
What do you do? / What is your role?
My current role is Head Coach of the Wellington Firebirds cricket team who play in New Zealand domestic cricket competitions.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and path to where you are now?
I left school wanting to play international sport and quickly realised I wasn’t good enough so decided to get into cricket coaching at the age of 22. Looking back now this has given me great experience in the art of coaching and dealing with Individuals and a team.
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
Revolves around planning for training, match, or reviewing a match.
There is so much variety as we have a busy season and have so many different variables that happen on a daily basis.
What have been your biggest challenges? What have been your highlights?
Keeping people all on the same page and moving in the same direction. Requires great communication and planning skills to achieve this. This is also very rewarding when you get a team humming as one. The biggest highlight has to see players progress and achieving there childhood dreams or representing a particular team or at a particular level.
What piece of advice would you give to our students?/ What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Don’t compare yourself to others and instead focus on being better every day just 1% in whatever field you are in.
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase or picture?
Inspired by the story of Mike Hesson. Went from being a young coach to take the BLACKCAP cricket team to the World Cup final in 2015.
Open Morning this Saturday
We will be running an online ‘virtual’ Open Morning this Saturday 6th February between 10AM and Midday.
There will be a chance to meet our staff, ask any questions and found out more about the courses that we offer. We will be offering presentations at 10am and 11am with lots of information and a chance to ask any questions that you may have about studying with us.
We’ll have information about our
Cricket Fixture and training programme
Academic Programme
Pastoral and support programme
Overseas Tours
Facilities
We have an outstanding academic programme with some of the highest success rates in Greater Manchester, our cricket programme is award winning, consistently being included in The Cricketer’s 100 best Schools in the country, we also have an award winning pastoral and learning support team with a dedicated progress coach for our Old Trafford Campus, who will support both academically and pastorally.
Our programme is based at Emirates Old Trafford full time, so is easily accessible via public transport and our start times are never earlier than 10am meaning it is easy to get to college in the mornings.
Places this year are filling fast, so please get in touch for the Zoom code for this Saturday and come and find out a little bit more about what we offer.
Leaders Series #4 - Rob Johnson
“Be proactive and get work experience, get a piece of paper and plan a way to have a go at whatever you’re interested in.”
For the next in our Leaders Series we have had a chat with Rob Johnson, Rob is the Digital Content Manager for The hundred Competition, which after being postponed last Summer is set to get underway this year.
Have a read through our catch up with Rob below….
What do you do?
I work in the Digital Team at the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The ECB is the national governing body for all cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level – from grassroots to professional.
We believe cricket is a force for good that can have an enduring impact on everyone’s lives and we have an ambitious strategy to inspire a generation to say ‘cricket is a game for me’.
My role is responsible for managing digital content output to be consumed by our fans. This might be on our websites, apps or on social media channels like Instagram and Facebook. The content I manage could range from full scale video production on YouTube to a simple tweet.
I am currently focused on The Hundred, our exciting new 100 ball cricket competition launching in 2021. I’ve worked on a number of other parts of our portfolio including county cricket and all levels of England Cricket.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and path to where you are now?
I went to my local state school in Doncaster, then studied Sports, Health and Exercise at Durham University. I have been a very committed recreational cricketer from being about 11, I knew my ability wasn’t going to allow me to play professional cricket but I always dreamt of working in cricket in some capacity.
After University I did a week of unpaid work experience within the commercial department of a county club, this confirmed my ambitions to get into professional cricket.
In 2004 I successfully applied for a post in the International Teams Department at ECB, responsible for the day to day management of the England cricket teams. A lot of administration goes on behind the scenes to plan and deliver England cricket tours home and away, it was fun to be part of the team behind the team.
A big focus of this job was making sure our players had all of the right kit and arrangements in place at all times. If Kevin Pietersen or Charlotte Edwards needed more stash I would get the phone call to sort it out!
There wasn’t an obvious ladder to climb in the administration team and I spent a few years when I was unsure of how to progress my career. I flirted with the Event Management element of cricket and actually spent a fascinating three months working on secondment as a Tournament Operations Manager at the Indian Premier League. This was a really exciting experience. However I felt my long term ambitions were in a relatively new part of the business, Digital.
To that end I took a fairly unusual move of moving sideways at ECB from the cricket operations and events into our newly formed Digital team in 2015. This was quite an unusual move at the time, and I’m very grateful that the ECB saw the potential in me to move into something completely new as a Digital Content Editor for domestic cricket.
To make this move possible I did quite a bit of unpaid work in my spare time to gain experience. Whenever there was a chance to help out I put my hand up.
From 2015 my career has really kicked on as the role digital takes has expanded and accelerated significantly across most industries not just cricket! Working in the ECB digital team has been a real treat as we’ve had some amazing moments to play a part in.
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
A typical week involves spending time collaborating with a range of people within ECB and at external agencies who support our in-house digital team. I work very closely with our marketing department, our video production team and our communications team. Digital has a role to play in most aspects of our business thesedays.
We spend a lot of time planning our content and building up to milestone events, like a ticket launch or a player announcement in the off season or a big game in season. When the cricket is actually being played we have a more immediate focus on the live action and how we amplify the best moments for the fans. We want to find interesting ways to bring cricket to more and more people, especially families and younger people.
What have been your biggest challenges? What have been your highlights?
My biggest challenge was figuring out a role that played to my strengths, I found administration really difficult at times and in hindsight it didn’t tap into my creativity. Making the move into digital and the progression that has followed is the clear highlight, I had a lot to learn but I quickly realised I was playing to my strengths.
Witnessing England’s men and women’s team win world cups was amazing, as was capturing the moment Freddie Flintoff fell over dressed as Elvis at Vitality Blast Finals Day. That’s the best tweet I’ve ever posted! https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/904042328092012545
I’m hugely excited by what we’re going to do with The Hundred this summer, it’s going to be amazing.
What piece of advice would you give to our students?/ What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Be proactive and get work experience, get a piece of paper and plan a way to have a go at whatever you’re interested in. I set up the website and social channels for my local cricket club which helped me get digital experience and learn the ropes.
Tech has become so easy and accessible now there’s no excuse not to have a go. If you want to set up your own podcast, blog or a YouTube channel, what’s stopping you, just have a crack the best way to learn is by having a go yourself.
It’s important to ask people for advice too, most people will give you 20 minutes on zoom. Get on LinkedIn and start networking. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase or picture?
I can’t think of a single person who inspires me, but I enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts on personal development, especially in the sports and tech space.
Tim Ferriss is an interesting person to look up, I’ve listened a lot to his podcast and I’ve read most of his books, his blog is definitely worth a look. He’s very good at curating and assembling useful tips and advice from highly impressive people in different areas of business and life.
A huge thank you to Rob for his time and sharing his journey and advice with us - we really appreciate it!
Leaders Series #3 - Alison Robinson
“ Accept that we are not all perfect – we all make mistakes at times.”
We’ve moved a little closer to home with our next Leaders Series Guest - Alison Robinson is the Chief Executive and Principal of Myerscough College.
A big Thank You to Alison for her time, answering our questions and for sharing some of her thoughts with us….
Have a read below….
What is your role?
Chief Executive & Principal at Myerscough College.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and path or journey to where you are now?
I was a teacher for 27 years and a manager in colleges for 20 years before becoming Chief Executive and Principal at Myerscough College in 2018. Along the way I taught from Level 1 (pre GCSE) to Level 7 (Masters level), trained teachers, worked as a part time Ofsted inspector and completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with distinction to improve my understanding of the wider business aspects of leading a college.
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
Although there are a large number of regular meetings in my diary there is no typical day or week. Meetings take place with a wide variety of stakeholders weekly such as students, staff, managers, senior leaders, MPs, local employers, councillors, head teachers, university Vice Chancellors and Governors. My weeks include a variety of both strategic and operational activities such as reviewing key performance data, managing funding and budgets, managing risks, analysing external Government policy and its implications for the College, deciding on resource allocation, agreeing strategic approaches to learning, people and sustainability, responding to emerging situations and anything else that comes my way. Education is so fast paced and dynamic that you never quite know what might happen in a day.
What have been your biggest challenges? What have been your highlights?
The biggest challenge in my 30-year career has been leading a college through the coronavirus pandemic. When we went into the first lockdown in March 2020 the College had to move to online learning at 2 day’s notice, manage the safe closure and return home of our 600 residential students and shut all of its commercial facilities with the associated loss of income (golf course, gym, garden centre, conferencing, events, equine international arena). Staff, students and visitors all needed clear communications on closure and then full risk assessments in place and lots of reassurance and support to re-open again in the following weeks and months.
Throughout all of this we had to keep the College financially afloat whilst ensuring everyone was safe and students’ learning was prioritised to ensure they achieved and had the very best education experience in the challenging circumstances.
The highlights for me are always the graduation and awards ceremonies of our students that take place every summer. To see all students regardless of their experiences, backgrounds and abilities walking tall across our stage to receive their certificates of achievement in recognition of their hard work and success always makes me smile – it is what my job it all about.
What piece of advice would you give to our students?/ What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I would advise our students to do whatever makes them happy in their career – they should follow their own dreams and be the person that they want to be and if at first they don’t succeed then try again.
The best piece of advice I have been given in my career is accept that we are not all perfect – we all make mistakes at times. The most important things is to trust yourself and your team and to learn from mistakes together.
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase, or picture?
The Myerscough staff team inspire me everyday – the way they listen to and support our students is nothing less than phenomenal. I am proud to lead such a creative, professional, hard-working and dedicated team of Myerscough staff who go the extra mile every day to inspire excellence in our students.
Thank you so much to Alison for speaking to us, sharing her views, thoughts and journey
A Catch Up with Tom Anders
After announcing our first Xi and Second Xi captains last week, we also took the opportunity to sit down with newly elected Second XI captain, Tom Anders this week.
Tom has represented Cheshire at Age group level for the past couple of years and is able to bring some good experience to the role.
Covid permitting, Tom will lead the Second Xi in their biggest season so far, with more fixtures than ever before, we’ve planned around 15 fixtures for the team. They will also start with fixtures in Cricket Week.
They have fixtures so far planned against Newcastle Under Lyme School, Myerscough College (Preston) and Leeds Beckett University.
Tom will have an incredibly important role this coming year in integrating our new first years into his teams as well as developing his playing and leadership style for a group of students ho have played such a small amount of fixtures already.
‘I am very pleased to have been selected to be the second team captain this year for Myerscough college.
I would say I am friendly person who is easily approachable but, also very competitive. I am excited about becoming second team captain as I feel we have a great bunch of lads who are all capable of performing to a high standard.
I am looking forward to the 15 over competition as it is a chance to win something as a team and I am confident we can go deep into the competition.
I think that as a team we will produce some great cricket and have a good time whilst doing it.
As captain I will be fair but again, I will want to win every game that we play and do expect the team to always put the effort in weather that’s holding up an end with their bowling, chasing every ball to the boundary or going out and scoring some runs.’
We’d like to wish Tom the very best of luck for this season and cannot wait to get back out onto the cricket pitch and play again!
A Catch Up with Ben Walkden
Recently elected First Eleven Captain Ben walkden has sat down with us and shared his views about his new position, his leadership style and the upcoming season as well as those who have held the role before him.
‘Firstly, I would like to say I feel honoured to be named First Team captain.
I feel excited to take this job on, and have some big shoes to fill looking at recent captains. I hope we can enjoy our cricket this season, it’s a long summer with a block of big fixtures and taking back trophies to Manchester would be an added bonus.
I will be a fair but firm captain, everyone across the two years will get a shot if they perform well, whether that be in training or the 2XI. I want to Also make sure they have the right winning attitude. We are going out to play hard, competitive cricket no matter the opponent.
We feel as a group we have many strengths weather that be batting, bowling or fielding to beat the big named schools across the country. Looking around the two years, I feel we have a bunch of talented, mature young cricketers that will fight for the badge and represent us very well. I can’t wait to get started and lead this wonderful college.’
Ben will start his first XI campaign, COVID permitting, on Monday 12th April, which is the start of our traditional cricket week, which kicks the season off after Easter. This would normally be a week where we play strong university opposition in University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, Loughborough, Cardiff metropolitan University and the University of Liverpool.
This may well be a little different this year as we wait to see if University Sport can return to normal again, although we have confirmed fixtures that week against Newcastle Under Lyme School, Myerscough College (Preston) and Leeds Beckett University, we will confirm other Cricket Week fixtures when we are able.
Following our cricket week, we have a full summer term of Wednesday fixtures and occasional representative fixtures as well.
Leaders Series #2 - Lydia Greenway
“Never think you have reached your full potential or that you are the best you can be.”
For the next in our Leaders Series, former England cricketer and now broadcaster, coach and business owner, Lydia Greenway has been kind enough to answer our questions.
Lydia represented England in 14 test matches, 126 ODI matches and 85 T20 internationals scoring over 4000 international runs throughout a 13 year career.
Through careful planning whilst she was playing, she has transitioned into a successful career off the pitch since she retired.
Read our interview with Lydia below…
What do you do? What roles or jobs do you currently have?
- Freelance broadcaster
- Coach
- Run Cricket for Girls and The Female Cricket Store
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and path or journey to where you are now?
Former England cricketer 2003-2016
Playing for England took up most of my time in this period but I also coached and studied alongside my playing career. This allowed me to have a degree in sports science and management as well as the Level 3 coaching badge. I feel completing both of these whilst playing put me in a much better position when it came to my retirement from cricket.
Since retiring I have enjoyed the process of continually learning new skills and roles, especially in broadcasting and coaching. I have recently come back from Australia having been assistant coach for Sydney Sixers in the WBBL - being in a new and different environment was both challenging but also full of learning.
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
It depends on the time of year but a general week would include:
- General day to day managing and developing of Cricket for Girls and The Female Cricket Store
- Delivering and planning for teacher training courses in different locations around the country
- Preparing for commentating on games during the summer - lots of research and chatting to people within the game to try and provide as much insight as possible when commentating
- General travel up and down the country!
What have been your biggest challenges? What have been your highlights?
Whilst playing the biggest challenge has always been the mental side of the game, it can be a very tough game - especially during a bad run of form. Being able to find confidence and belief in my ability was always so important. Injury also played it’s part, the frustration of knowing you are being held back was something that you have to manage as a player and you have to get to know your body - when it can be pushed but also when you need to take the foot of the gas - the latter was often the hardest one to manage for me!
Highlights - obviously success on the pitch will always stand out, winning two world cups and ashes series were amazing experiences - achieving goals that I set myself from such a young age was extremely satisfying. Off the pitch it is the memories you have with your team mates, travelling the world, celebrating in the changing rooms - the small things that people don’t always see or know about are often the memories I find myself recalling the most.
What piece of advice would you give to our students?/ What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Never think you have reached your full potential or that you are the best you can be. The best players in the world are always striving to be better - they are hungry for success and they aren’t afraid to make mistakes.
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase, or picture?
On the pitch: Underdogs inspire me. The people or teams who others don’t think can or will be successful - the joy of seeing them go on to prove people wrong is always great to see.
Off the pitch: Kindness. People who take the time to think about others over themselves I think is always inspiring.
A huge thank you to lydia for her time and for sharing her thoughts with us.
You can follow lydia on twitter @lydiagreenway
Leaders Series #1 - Matt Thompson
“Relationships are everything – take the time to build, cultivate and sustain them.”
A huge thank you to Matt Thompson for joining us in kicking off our leaders series - a series of short interviews and questions to find out a little bit more about careers, leaders and jobs and hopefully inspire a few of our students along the way.
Matt is the head of talent pathway for cricket wales, with additional responsibility of leading the operations of the wales national county as well as overseeing the disability performance programme.
find out a little bit more here and read our interview with matt…
What do you do?
I’m the Head of the Talent Pathway for Cricket Wales
Can you tell us a little bit about your background ,path and journey to where you are now?
i Graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2013 with a BSc in Sport Coaching, before undertaking a year’s internship at Millfield Cricket in the Cricket, Football and PE departments. It was without doubt the most I’ve learnt across any stretch of time and I’d highly recommend students taking internships to gain some experience! I came back to Cardiff Met to complete my PGCE in PE and Masters in Sport Coaching & Pedagogy whilst being Performance Director for Cricket. I was involved in leading the University Tennis programme for about a year as well which an invaluable chance to learn about how another sport other than cricket operates. A second stint at Millfield full time in the Cricket department followed before I assumed this role in March 2018. I still play cricket where I can for Devon at National Counties level and can be found watching any sport given the opportunity – I’m big on watching how top class coaches and managers go about their business and am a big ice hockey follower being part Canadian!
Tell me about your typical day/ week?
My role is pretty vast being across all of Wales, but I largely oversee the regional cricket programme which is the step above club cricket from U10s-U15s (boys and girls) – I have a brilliant team of five who are responsible for each of the North, South, East and West regions. I lead the operations of the Wales National County in addition to having oversight of the Disability Performance Programme so that usually keeps things pretty busy! Being a member of senior management for Cricket Wales comes with its fair bit of responsibility as well from a National Governing Body perspective and we of course work very closely with Glamorgan CCC, particularly with the running of the Wales Age Group teams as we look to provide a consistent stream of young talent. It can be difficult to get out from behind the desk at times, so at any given opportunity I’ll make some phone calls whilst walking our far too spoiled German Shepherd!
What have been your biggest challenges?
Where to start! The pathway in Wales has undergone a huge amount of change in the last 3 years and this has often meant taking gradual steps rather than big quick ones. There are so many people invested physically and emotionally in Welsh Cricket (and likely any pathway) that you really need to take the time to understand the different perspectives, build those relationships and bring people through the door, and on the journey with you. Our parents are often so underrated in their importance throughout a young player’s journey that we’ve really made a conscious effort to improve our offering around that. Generally though, the biggest challenge through all the detail is trying to keep things simple and stick to the values and philosophies that you set yourself. That doesn’t always mean making the popular decisions even if they are the right ones.
What have been your highlights?
Undoubtedly seeing players, parents and coaches improve and benefit from the provision that you helped to bring about. That doesn’t always mean winning, and it doesn’t always mean a player progresses onto Glamorgan’s Academy – it is equally, if not more gratifying to see a player fall in love, or back in love with the game by having a positive experience that will likely lead to them playing for the next 30 years.
What piece of advice would you give to our students?
Back yourself. Take every opportunity that comes your way – sometimes it can hard to put yourself out there and challenge for something (be it a job, a playing opportunity, even something completely different to what is comfortable for you etc) given the competition that is out there. You’d be surprised what you can do for yourself as you build up some experience.
And its not too early to start pay attention to how you come across on social media! Know that employers in any industry will take the time to do their research and see how you portray yourself – ask yourself if you’d want any potential employers seeing what’s on your social media currently. If the answer is ‘no’ get rid of it!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
1) No one else is going to do it for you.
2) Most people end up working for the majority of their life – find something that you enjoy doing – happiness beats wealth every time.
3) Relationships are everything – take the time to build, cultivate and sustain them.
What/ who inspires you? Maybe a person, phrase or picture?
There’s a tendency to look up to the people that lead you (I do anyway) in your job, and I’ve been lucky to have learnt from some fantastic people who I continue to admire. More broadly, if you’re involved in junior sport you have to be inspired by the players around you – more often that not it is they who provide you with the motivation to make a difference every day.
From a role model point of view? I can’t help being a fan of Jurgen Klopp but my cricketing role model was probably either Adam Gilchrist or Chris Read – two keepers (like myself) who were absolute masters of their craft and were always regarded as gentlemen.
Thank you so much to matt for speaking to us, sharing his views, thoughts and journey.
Matt is on twitter if you’d like to follow him @mattthompson91
Captains selected for 2021 season
we are delighted to announce our captains for the 2021 myerscough cricket season.
Our first xi will be captained by second year student ben walkden.
Ben made his college debut last september, top scoring against a strong MCC side. He was also selected to join Lancashire’s academy this winter for the first time. Ben is an opening batsman and seam bowler and plays county cricket regularly for Lancashire, making his 2nd XI debut for the county last summer. He plays his club cricket for Newton Le Willows CC in the Liverpool competition.
We are planning a full competitive campaign for our college sides this summer, covid permitting - starting with a cricket week when we return from Easter holidays., where ben will formally lead the first xi for the first time.
Our second xi will be led by second year student Tom Anders, tom was also selected for our set of September fixtures. He has also represented Cheshire up to U16’s level, he was looking forward to playing again this year but covid prevented any games from going ahead.
Tom plays his club cricket for New Brighton CC, also in the liverpool competition.
Tom will lead his side this summer for the biggest second team fixture list that the college has ever produced - allowing us to give more students more opportunities to play cricket regularly, making his captaincy a vital role for the college - particularly for students with aspirations of playing first team cricket and pushing themselves forward. Tom’s communication with students and staff will be really important.
We’ll catch up with both ben and tom over the next few weeks as they share their views and hopes for the upcoming season.
It has also been decided that we will rotate the captain for our third Xi - giving more students the opportunity to gain experience leading college teams.
Hannah JOnes signs for manchester originals
Former student Hannah Jones has put pen to paper again, this time signing for The manchester originals and will join the growing team of stars based at Old trafford for the inaugural edition of the hundred this Summer.
This follows news of hannah signing professional terms with North west thunder earlier this winter and becoming one of only five professional domestic womens players in the north west.
Hannah will join England international and former myerscough coach kate cross and well as South african international duo mignon du Preez and lizelle lee in the competition later this year as well as three other new players announced yesterday.
Hannah studied a level three BTEC diploma in cricket studies with us, and as a left arm spinner was the first female to represent our first XI and has been only one of two students to take a hattrick for us.
She represented the Lancashire womens one day and T20 sides over the past few years and broke into the thunder side this summer, performing well in the rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy picking up four wickets at an economy of just 3.16
We wish hannah all the best of luck with her cricket this summer and beyond and are looking forward to seeing her represent North west thunder and the Manchester originals.
Leaders Series
Following the launch of our new website, we’d like to start a new ‘leaders series’
we are asking leaders and people who inspire to answer 5 questions, in a short written interview which we can publish as a regular series on our website.
Maybe you are a leader in industry or business , an academic, play or work within professional sport, charity or inspire in another way? We’d love to hear from you and share your story with our students throughout this lockdown!
please email datkinson@myerscough.ac.uk or direct message us if you’d be prepared to write a few words for us - we’ll send you the questions over.
we’d really love to speak to a broad range of people who can share a range of different experiences with our students.
Lords and Back
We feel that it is really important to keep challenging our students throughout this lockdown period and keep them engaged in physical activity.
We will be running a series of physical challenges over the next few weeks and our next is a competition to ‘virtually’ run to lords and back.
Our second years will be taking on our first years in the challenge, which will be to run, walk or cycle the combined total to lords and back from emirates old Trafford - a total of 354 miles (570km) - we’ll be logging it on strava and the first group to complete the full total will win.
We’ll be posting regular updates and the challenge will start on Thursday 14th January at 10am.
Good luck to all students who will be taking part!
Our next advice evening
if you are considering studying with us from September next year, we are running an online advice session with lots of information for prospective students and their parents
We are running it on Tuesday 12th January between 7pm and 8pm where we will take you through all of our course including the academic study, training and fixture programme as well as the pastoral support that we offer all students - all whilst studying at an international test venue.
There will be plenty of chances to ask any questions that you may have .
Please email datkinson@myerscough.ac.uk for any more information or the zoom code to attend.
Blog - The start to the year
We look back at the last term, the highlights and the challenges that it brought us.
Looking back, this year so far, we have had an incredibly busy term and the students have done outstandingly well to adjust to a timetable which has seen a mix of face to face contact, fixtures, training, strength and conditioning sessions as well as online lessons.
The start to this academic year has been like no other we have seen before. As with everywhere else in the country, we have faced lockdowns, restrictions and new ways of working but has also seen us deliver a term of learning to students, something which they have really embraced, which is a credit to them.
Planning for this term started back in August, with an unusual online enrolment and a large cohort of students ready to start their first year.
We also welcomed back our returning second year students to start their last year of study with us.
We were able to start the year in relatively ‘normal’ fashion with our now traditional September block of fixtures. Our First Years were able to play a mini series against each other, the Reds were able to take on the Greens in a format which was not dissimilar to the Women’s Ashes, with a two-day game, a one-day game and some T20 cricket. A really good opportunity for them to get to know each other and staff as well. A great standard of cricket played across the ‘series’ which shows promising signs for when our competitive programme can start back up again at Easter, fingers crossed.
Our second years were also able to play opposition in the form of the MCC, who kindly agreed to rearrange the fixture from the Summer, which was unable to be played for obvious reasons. A good game to get our returning students back out with all capped for making their competitive college debut. Ben Walkden top scoring with the bat finishing on 49 and Luke Young taking 4 wickets in the reply.
They were also able to get out and play against a Former Students XI, brilliant to welcome back former students and catch up after they have spent a few years away from the college programme.
Back into college, we were able to deliver a full term of work through a blend of online and face to face learning as well as some practical, cricket and strength and conditioning sessions.
There have been plenty of highlights during this term, we have delivered a virtual Careers programme, including talks and lectures as well as an ‘Online Careers and UCAS Planning Day’, our Second Year students have successfully applied to University and are waiting to hear back with offers.
We worked again with our friends at 'Opening Up' encouraging conversation around mental health in sport, we are always thankful to Mark Boyns for giving up his time to come and speak to our students again. We proudly wear Opening Up's logo on the sleeves of both our white playing shirts and One Day shirts.
On the cricket side, we were named for the third consecutive year in The Cricketer Magazine’s 100 Top cricket Schools and it is nice to see the hard work that has gone into the programme continue to be recognised at a National level, rubbing shoulders with some of the very best cricket schools in the country.
We have planned out an exciting fixture programme for next Summer, which we will post in the new year, this promises to be an exciting ‘Summer of Cricket’ This now includes some new school fixtures, cup and trophy competitions and the introduction and trial of Two Day Cricket.
In terms of Alumni, it was great to see Hannah Jones (2015 – 2017) become one of forty-one women to sign a full time domestic Women’s contract, one of only five for North west Thunder after an impressive Summer with the ball in the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy.
Jack Morley (2018-2020) also impressed for Lancashire last Summer in red ball cricket, making his first class debut against Derbyshire at Liverpool, helping the red rose to victory with five wickets in the game.
Winter wise, we will have three of our students involved with Lancashire’s academy and various others involved in County Age group and Emerging Player programmes.
Although next term is still uncertain in many ways, we are looking forward to continuing our strong academic programme and building up to the Easter and Summer term, it does look as though a pre-season tour will be in doubt, which is a shame as we have travelled to Potchefstroom in South Africa in recent years, which has been an amazing experience for students both on and off the pitch.
We are hoping to provide a strong competitive test for our students through the cricket programme we offer them, and, I’m sure, the students will be counting down the days once we return after Christmas.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank those that support our programme and for their renewal of support this year, IGE Consulting have agreed to continue their shirt sponsorship, Steroplast and Sterosport with their continued support of our medical provision and Icon Sports UK for their partnership in our on and off the pitch clothing, training and playing range.
Welcome to the new home of Myerscough Cricket
Welcome to the Home of Myerscough Cricket
We’ve moved across to a brand new website which will become the new online home for Myerscough Cricket.
Here you’ll be able to access all of the up to date news, fixture information, details about the course and the application process.
Keep checking back as we will be updating regularly over the next few months with lots of exciting news.