Observations on Batting Techniques, Coaching & Fitness

An Interview with Blair FranklinBlair Franklin is theCommunity CricketCoordinator forCanterbury CountryCricket. He is one ofover 40 CCC’s that areemployed either full orpart-time around NewZealand.Describe for us what your job as a CommunityCricket Coordinator for Canterbury CountryCricket entails?I look after the 5 to 19 year olds within theCanterbury Country District. I run the MILOinitiatives through the primary schools, whichinvolves school visits, and delivering MILOCricket Skills Awareness Lessons to the clubs,setting up MILO Have-A-Go and MILO KiwiCentres in clubs, running holiday programmes,and trying to get as many 5 to 13 year oldsplaying cricket in primary schools. I alsoencourage them to become involved in theMILO Cup and MILO Shield.Do you have involvement with secondaryschools and clubs?Yes, my time at secondary schools is spent withboth boys and girls and ranges from year 9 toyear 13. My involvement ranges from practicesessions with teams to leadership courses withyear 12 students. I encourage the schools toenter the following tournaments:NZCT Cup junior boys’ year 9/10NZCT Cup girls’ 1st XIGillette Cup boys’ 1st XISuper 8’s (boys and girls)Why did you decide to become a Coach?Because I love the game and if I have towork for a living then I would rather be doingsomething I really enjoy rather than sitting in anoffice all day. Getting out and about is reallyenjoyable and you feel like you are actuallyhaving an impact on the game.So when did you decide that you wanted tomake cricket and the development of cricketyour career?When I decided that I wasn’t going to be goodenough as a player to succeed in the game,and it was a good way of being involved in thesport that I have a great passion for.How would you describe yourself as a Coach?I am a Coach who encourages respect anddiscipline and I enjoy the history of our greatgame. I encourage people to play the game inthe right spirit.How does the approach you have to Coachingchange as you work your way through thedifferent ages that you work with?With the younger kids it’s more aboutparticipation, fun, having a lot of patience andgetting kids involved and enjoying the sport.With the 12 to 15 year olds it becomes a lotmore skill based, and then the philosophychanges as they get older still so it’s basedmore on game plans. So my approach changesfrom active participation to game scenarios as Igo up through the year groups.Do you have Coaching Mentor?Yes I do, when I first started coaching cricket Iwas fortunate enough to meet Greg Hills. Gregused to coach the Canterbury Women’s teamfor about 10 years and the New Zealand ‘A’women’s team and I was lucky to be involvedwith him through our children, I use him as asounding board.Do you have a Coaching philosophy?My coaching philosophy is very similar to myview on life. The same aspects of respectand discipline as I said earlier are huge partsof the game, and I base my whole coachingaround having those qualities in a cricket team.I feel that if players respect each other andthe game, they will start to appreciate and getthe best out of themselves. If they don’t haverespect, it’s a pretty tough game.What do you enjoy the most about your jobas a Community Cricket Coordinator?Getting out and about and meeting differentpeople. It’s varied and exciting every day, thedifferent range of people you meet from schoolkids to school teachers, to coaches, to eliteplayers, the range is huge and there is never adull moment.And finally, what’s the best advice that youcan give your average grassroots Coach?Enjoyment - enjoy the experience, and upskillas much as possible. The more knowledge youhave the more enjoyment you get from puttinga good message across, and you have moreconfidence in what you are telling people.