Becoming a full time cricket coach

[bond21]

So I want to be a cricket coach, I can do courses up to level 3 advanced in a city nearby, and I am probably directing this at Goughy mainly, but how much demand is there for coaching, specifically paid coaching?


I know how to get the qualifications, my only concern is demand for coaching.

I know school coaching is a possibility, but do clubs hire coaches? I know my club did for one season but he left so we dont anymore.

 

[James90]

As far as I know, all junior club teams are coached by parents...you might get lucky and find one though. All senior club teams will be coached by people associated with the club and have years of life/cricket experience.

High school is where you'll find teams. Got paid over a grand for a seven week season and didn't even need my Level 1. Child's play.

 

[Goughy]

Where I did my coaching there was a high demand for paid coaches but its quite a small area.

I did private schools which practiced 3 times a week in addition to having 2 games a week. That added up to quite a lot of hours and made a decent income.

It is certainly possible to be a full-time pro cricket coach just at he junior level.

The most important area for income (which is quite controversial) is private 1-on-1 coaching. You charge whatever you want for a 1 hr session. I didnt like the fact that sometimes I thought coaches intentionally didnt correct problems (as bringing kids back was their livlihood) and sometimes a parents would pay an academy only to be given a private coach of a terrible standard that was paid peanuts and the rest kept by the guy than ran the place.

I believe private coaching to be one of the most valuable things for a cricketer, but it has to be done right. Often it isnt.

However, its an important part of suplimenting a coaches income. In fact, having a little private coaching school for 1-on-1 sessions can be the primary source of income.

I didnt need the money of a lot of private sessions and I turned a lot of people down. I chose to run quite an exclusive group. I accepted the children I thought I could make the biggest difference with. The big improvmemts I had with these players and the fact I wouldnt accept anyone actually made me in far greater demand than I could possibly fulfil.

In terms of other revenue streams. Myself and my partner would run large scale coaching schools/camps in the school holidays. We would advertise them across schools and clubs and they made a lot of money. Also, on request, I would run cricket birthday parties. Basically Id run the game and umpire and get paid for organising it.

Being an assistant coach at one of these coaching camps would be a good introduction to paid coaching.

If you want to know how I got the job in the first place. I had a representivie call up a school for me (no job was advertised) and said I have a guy who is great and you would be foolish not to interview and employ. I interviewed and was given a general non-specific coaching role in which I proved to them how good I was and from there the reputation grows quickly into having a private academy and 1st team coach.

There are 3 keys imo to being a successful coach
1) Look for jobs in the right areas
2) Be confident
3) Be good at the job and offer insight above the norm

 

[bond21]

thanks a lot goughy and james, very helpful advice.

 

[Goughy]

thanks a lot goughy, very helpful advice.

Also, Im not saying dont get the qualifications. It will not hurt you to get them. But Ive always found them irrelevant.

Its results and reputation that are the keys to coaching and financial success. The qualifications may help you get the job but (I was a partner in a sports coaching employment agency) Ive always prefered exoperience and reputation over a piece of paper. The number of bad coaches Ive seen with qualifications is off the charts and doesnt guarantee they know what they are doing or that they will continue to earn money.

So whilst Im saying you should do the qualifications, its just as important to get experience and talk to other coaches. They are where you learn what works and doesnt and how to improve.

As for club coaches (something I didnt address in the 1st post) they usually give that position to an overseas player or experienced 1st team player in order to supliment their playing income and keep them happy at the club. Thats often more to do with giving a player an additional revenue stream than expecting top quality coaching.

 

[bond21]

ok well im still young and I am expecting to be a first team player in 2 seasons. Currently 3rd grade but I shouldve been 2nd grade last season but I had piss weak form all season.(why i had so many questions on this board, i was desperate)

I am currently working on getting my level 1, then coaching some junior teams for a few seasons, to get some experience then try to get accepted into level 2(only 2 coaches in my city have it and both are in my club, so it may help with private coaching just as that piece of paper to show the parents)

 

[Josh]

There is a switch to professionalism at the moment in many cricket leagues in Melbourne as far as I know, with the hiring of coaches, rather than the promotion of a "clubman" into the coaching role, becoming much more regular.

 

[bond21]

So, it is possible to make a living off cricket coaching?

Its really what I want to do, my only concern is the income. There is a big market in my city because when I was looking for coaching, there was NOONE in my city doing 1 on 1 lessons that I could find, I had to go to Brisbane.

If you want to divulge in some of your coaching knowledge, Goughy, I would very much appreciate it.

What Im planning for the immediate future is finishing my level 1, asking a mate to be the co coach of his kid's junior team for experience and go from there.

To get into the level 2 course you need a few years experience.

 

[Goughy]

So, it is possible to make a living off cricket coaching?

Its really what I want to do, my only concern is the income. There is a big market in my city because when I was looking for coaching, there was NOONE in my city doing 1 on 1 lessons that I could find, I had to go to Brisbane.

If you want to divulge in some of your coaching knowledge, Goughy, I would very much appreciate it.

What Im planning for the immediate future is finishing my level 1, asking a mate to be the co coach of his kid's junior team for experience and go from there.

To get into the level 2 course you need a few years experience.

Its certainly possible. Though some regions or towns will have bigger markets than others.

To be a success you will need 4 things,
1) Experience and a good reputation. Turning a few guys from nothing to good players is always a bonus.
2) Good knowledge and able to explain it. This is really the key. To get paid well and keep intergity you have to be good.
3) Promote and back yourself. In my opinion most coaches are pretty poor and almost steal money from employers, clubs and parents. Ive never been afraid to tell people that so and so is a poor coach. Ive also never been shy to talk to that coach and explain why I dont rate them and why I am better. If someone is paying for a service they need to be sure that they are getting a top service.
4) Persepctive. If you market and promote yourself on coaching ability then know your limits. I do team sessions and specialist batting and fast bowling work. I dont deal with spinners very often. There are coaches I respect in that area that I think are more knowledgable than I am and I send guys to them. Same with wicketkeepers. And they do the same to me. Its not about taking all the work ossible but taking the work you can really make a diference on and build a reputation on.

The key is to be good and know you are good and then enjoy helping others. Caring is an important aspect as ego.

Work to get experience and get a reputation.

Get qualifications but dont place any value on them. Best classroom is talking to other coaches and not being afraid to voice your opinion. Sometimes its a terrible opinion but its good to find out why by talking to others that know the game.

Once relaxed and comfortable then a fair bit of money can be made by having a regular income from a club/school/college suplimented by the more lucrative aspect of your own Private coaching school and holiday camps. Its the 1-on-1 that is where the real profit is.

If you are still worried about being able to make an income then all I can say is that I know people that do it and I was one of them.

TBH. It was always the knowledge I could help someone that drove me rather than the money (though you would be a mug not to charge). You should be confident enough in your ability to see a player and if you think you could help them go up to them or their parent and say "so-and-so looks like he has talent and ability but he/she has a few issues I could work on and help them be a better player *give short assessment based on what you have seen*. If you want to make those changes and improve as a player give me a call *hand card*"

Its hard work but being around cricket and helping people means its a pretty cool job.

 

[bond21]

Thanks Goughy.