• Ensuring that all members have the opportunity to play in competitive and friendly matches, thus learning the art of sportsmanship, as well as testing their skills against their peers from other clubs.
  
• Teaching our members about the spirit in which cricket is played as well as the techniques of the game.
  
• Providing high quality practice facilities upon which members new to the game can learn the techniques and experienced members can hone their skills.
  
• Delivering high quality coaching on a consistent basis to all academy members, regardless of ability.
  
• Ensuring that all ability groups have a coaching plan and, as ability develops, members have the opportunity to test their ability in higher groups.
  
• Ensuring that all potential members are encouraged to join, by us removing all the barriers that we can to encourage maximum participation and ensuring that existing members welcome new members fully into the club.
  
• Providing a safe and secure environment in which members can both play and learn cricket and have fun, whilst mixing in a new and diverse environment.
  
• Cricket is more than just a game. We believe that the phrase “its not cricket” empowers those of us who teach the game to stress the values of fairness, competition, inclusiveness, good sportsmanship and life long friendship that the game can bring. We want our members to take pride in winning, but also to recognise and applaud the victors when they have been beaten. We want our members to celebrate each others' successes but also be supportive when others fail. In this way, we will teach our members not only cricket, but also skills that will serve them well throughout their life. This is why Cricket is more than just a game.

When we have achieved this on an ongoing basis –
we will have achieved the mission of the Cobham Avorians Cricket Academy.

About the Academy

The Academy was started in 2004 following the club 1st XI's promotion to the Surrey Championship Premier Division. It is the intention of the Academy to ensure that we have enough coaches to be able to coach members efficiently. We aim to have no less than 1 coach per 10 members. This allows us to offer focused coaching to all and we aim to ensure that ever member has the opportunity to learn, improve and participate at all times. It is our intention to restrict membership if we are unable to satisfy this ratio. We currently compete in the West Surrey Youth Cricket U10, U11, U12 and U15 Leagues.

When does it happen?

Training sessions take place on Friday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.00pm from the end of April until the beginning of September. Home matches usually take place on weekday evenings or Saturday or Sunday mornings. We also run winter nets, usually during February and March. Details will be published on the website in early January for the upcoming Spring.

What does it cost?

Academy membership for the year is £100 which includes the cost of Friday night coaching sessions and all match fees. Parents are automatically granted Associate Member status of the club, and are encouraged to take out Social Membership at just £10 per annum. Each additional child is £40. There are no additional fees payable for junior matches.

We will never allow money to be a barrier to playing cricket. Should any family feel that they are not in a position to pay the full fees on an ongoing basis, or be in a situation where there is a short term financial problem, then we urge them to contact, on a confidential basis, either the Academy Director or the Club Welfare Officer and an individual arrangement can be agreed.

Money will never be a barrier at the Cobham Avorians.

How do I join?

To join the Academy, please complete the forms below and or post to Peter Worth, Academy Director, at 8 Davis Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0XH. The first session is free of charge to give you an opportunity to see if you like us but we do need these forms completed prior to attending, so please bring them down on the first night.

Forms

• Membership Form
• Player Profile Form
• Availability Form
• Photography, Transport and Changing Policy
• Self Declaration Form (to be completed by parents)
• Photography, Transport and Changing Rooms Form to be signed by parents.
• How we carry out a Risk Assessment
• How we deal with an incident
• How we record an incident
• Our Equity Policy Statement

Leagues

The Under 10s, 11s, 12s and 15s play in the West Surrey Youth Cricket League.

Selection Policy

Academy members are always selected above non-members. We will try to win games by selecting our best possible teams as our long term aim has to be to improve the standards of the colts and eventually the whole club. We will however be as inclusive as we can be to develop a motivated squad of up to 20 per age group. If you have any questions on selection please speak to the age group manager concerned in the first instance and then to the Academy Director by if you require further clarification.

Parent Helpers

We are always on the lookout for parent helpers. If you think you might be able to help us on a regular basis, either with Friday night sessions or on match days please contact the Academy Director by or the relevant age group manager.

Equipment

Ideally we would like all colts to own their own bat, box and helmet; however we do have a small supply of helmets and bats. There are a number of good cricket equipment shops in the area. We recommend Romida and Fordham Sports.

Communication

Regular newsletters are sent out to all club members. You will automatically be added to the mailing list to receive these on joining but if you have not been receiving them please notify the club by .

Welfare

Sandra Dunn is our Club Welfare Officer and Rhona Barrow is her assistant. If you have any questions on Welfare please contact Sandra by

Code of Conduct for Academy Members

COBHAM AVORIANS CRICKET CLUB is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Academy Director, Peter Worth

As a member of COBHAM AVORIANS CRICKET CLUB you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules:

• All members must participate within the laws of the game and respect coaches and other officials and their decisions.
• All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
• Members must wear suitable kit for training sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
• Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the Club at competitions.
• Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the Club premises or whilst representing the Club.

Code of Conduct for Academy Parents/Carers

• Encourage your child to learn the laws of the game and play within them.
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept officials' judgements.
• Support your child's involvement and help them to enjoy their sport. Use correct and proper language at all times
• Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
  

Events

We hold an Academy Awards night in late-August or early-September. Other Academy events include a spectacular Firework night which is fast becoming the talk of Cobham!

Questions

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Academy Director by

Coach Biographies

Peter Worth – Under 15 Manager
Tel: 07774 264445 |

Peter was (is!!) a right arm fast medium bowler and a right handed batsman who made his senior debut for Blackheath Wanderers Cricket Club at the age of 15 in 1977. He played for BWCC between 1977 and 1987, was a member of the Kent U19 development squad in 1980 and represented Royal Holloway College , University of London between 1982 and 1985. His career top score was 101 not out, his best bowling figures were 7-31 and he took one hat trick. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Royal Holloway, University of London Cricket Club . His son, Dominic, is an Academy Colt and Peter holds the UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification.

Matt Sandery – Under 15 Coach
Tel: |

Matt is returning as the club's overseas player for 2012. Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, he plays for Ingle Farm District CC in the Adelaide turf competition and represents that competition's Under 21 team. He is a hard-hitting top-order batsman and seam bowler.

Steve Frise– Head Coach, Under 12 and Under 13 Manager/Coach
Tel: 07734 789022 |

Steve holds the UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification. His son George is a member of the Academy and he holds the position of Membership Secretary on the club's Management Committee.

Ross Richardson - Under 12 and Under 13 Coaching Assistant
Tel: |

Keith Millett - Under 11 Coach
Tel: |

Mark Barrow - Under 11 and Under 12 Coaching Assistant
Tel: |

John Lee - Under 11 Manager
Tel: 07974 705076 |

Tom Dunn - Under 10 Coach
Tom has recently graduated from the Cobham Avorians Academy and now regularly plays in the club's Saturday 1st XI League side.

Katherine Robson - Coach
Katherine has helped coach all age groups at the Cobham Avorians Academy for several seasons. She holds the UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification, plays cricket for Surrey Ladies and is employed by the Surrey Cricket Centre at George Abbott School, Guildford.