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COACH
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ASSOCIATION

RECREATIONAL
FUNDING

Club Affiliation
& Accreditation

Chance to shine

junior cricket

Women's & girls cricket

recreational cricket

ability cricket

WALKING cricket

Introduction

Coaching Courses

Safeguarding Coaches & Activators

ECB Coaches Association

Coach Development Bursaries

Getting into cricket as a junior can be an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and skill  development. Firstly, joining a local cricket club or school team is key, as it provides access to coaching and facilities. Attending coaching sessions helps juniors learn the fundamentals of the game, including batting, bowling, and fielding techniques. Additionally, watching professional matches both on television and in person can provide inspiration and insight into strategy and gameplay. Practising regularly, whether it's in organised sessions or informal games with friends, is crucial for honing skills and building confidence. Moreover, participating in junior cricket leagues and tournaments offers valuable competitive experience and the chance to showcase talent. Finally, maintaining a positive attitude, staying dedicated to improvement, and enjoying the game are essential aspects of a junior cricketer's journey towards success. With commitment and passion, juniors can thrive in the exciting world of cricket.

COACH DEVELOPMENT

Whether you want to give something back into the game you love, continue progressing your career, help out at your local club or simply provide more support to your child, there is a reason for everyone to get involved in coaching.

The Coach Development section of the website provides up-to-date information about Coaching and Coach Education courses taking place within Essex.

COACHING COURSES

Coaching courses empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities by nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship. Whether for personal growth or professional advancement, the decision to undertake cricket coaching courses signifies a commitment to excellence and a love for the game. 

If you are considering joining the coaching family, please browse the programmes below to find out which course is most suitable for you.

Coach Development Programme

Essex Cricket in the Community offers ECB Support Coach, Foundation Coach and Core Coach courses.

We strongly recommend completing an ECB Foundation Coach Course before taking your ECB Core Coach Course, unless you’re already an experienced cricketer.

Before booking, please review the course descriptions and make sure the course is right for you. You can also view our 'Which Course is right for you?' document for more information.

Please contact [email protected] should you have any difficulty booking your course.

Please note, the following Terms and Conditions around cancellations apply for all ECB Coach Development courses delivered by Essex Cricket in the Community.

ECB Support Coach Courses

ECB Support Coach is a coach development programme consisting of e-learning and face-to-face modules that will help you take your first steps into supporting coaching and enhancing player experience. You must be at least 16 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

Venue

Cost

Booking

6 March 2026

ECB Support Coach Course
(Female Only)

18:00-21:00

Southend High School for Girls, Southend

£40

Book Here

21 March 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

12:30-15:30

Northern Gateway Sports Park, Colchester

£40

Book Here

15 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

18:00-21:00

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£40

Book Here

22 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course

18:00-21:00

Leyton Cricket Club, Leyton

£40

Book Here

29 June 2026

ECB Support Coach Course
(Female Only)

18:00-21:00

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£40

Book Here

DATES

DESCRIPTION

TIME

VENUE

BOOKING DETAILS

Saturday 23 March 2024

ECB Support  Coach Course

12:30 – 15:30

Northern Gateway  Sports Park, Colchester

Expired

Sunday 17 & 24  March 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

9:30 – 16:30

Leyton Urban Hub, Leyton

Expired

Saturday 06 & 13  April 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

Expired

Sunday 07 & 14  April 2024

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

9:30 – 16:30

Graham Gooch Cricket  Centre, Chelmsford

Expired

Monday 13 & 20 May
Wednesday 15 & 22 May

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

18:00pm – 21:00

Graham Gooch Cricket  Centre, Chelmsford

Expired

ECB Foundation Coach Courses

The ECB Foundation Coach programme is an entry-level qualification for coaching cricket in England and Wales alongside ECB Core Coach. The programme is a blend of e-learning and face-to-face modules led by ECB Coach Developers will explore what coaching looks like, the impact you can have as an ECB Foundation Coach, the skills you can help players to develop and how you can learn from your experiences. You must be at least 18 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Dates

DESCRIPTION

Time

Venue

Cost

Booking

7 & 14 March 2026

ECB Foundation  Coach Course
(Female Only)

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£150

Book Here

12 & 19 April 2026

ECB Foundation  Coach Course

09:30-16:30

Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, Chelmsford

£150

Fully Booked

ECB Core Coach Courses

The ECB Core Coach programme is an entry-level qualification for coaching cricket in England and Wales alongside ECB Foundation Coach. The programme is a blend of e-learning and face-to-face modules led by ECB Coach Developers will explore the player-centred planning process, player development, the skills you can help players to develop and how you can learn from your experiences. You must be at least 18 years old, have valid safeguarding training and a valid ECB DBS.

Please Note: We strongly recommend that if you are looking at booking a place on the ECB Core Coach Course, you have either completed your ECB Foundation Coach Course or are an experienced cricketer.

Dates

description

time

venue

cost

booking

21, 28 March

11 & 18 April 2026

ECB Core Coach Course

11:00 – 18:00

Maltings Academy,  Witham

£300

Fully Booked

ECB CA Learning Workshops

Setting the Pace with Andy Pick
Andy is a ECB Level 4 Coach with huge experience coaching pace bowling. His current role is Chief Scout and Pathway Bowling Coach for Nottinghamshire CCC. Andy also had a 15 year professional playing career with the same county.

Spin it Up with Chris Brown
Chris is the High Performance Spin Bowling Coach for Cricket Ireland. An ECB Coach Developer and Level 4 coach. Previous roles include Spin Scout for England Men and England Lions. He has also been to several ICC global events with Scotland as their spin bowling coach.

Dates

Description

Time

Venue

Deliverer

Booking

14 March 2026

Spin it Up

12:00-17:00

Northern Gateway Sports Park

Chris Brown

Book Here

Safeguarding Coaches  & Activators

All qualified coaches are required to have up-to-date Safeguarding training. This can be done by completing an online Safeguarding Level 2 course free of charge.

There are 2 parts to the course: a workshop followed by a brief assessment to check for understanding. It should take you up to an hour to complete. The Safeguarding Level 2 course is valid for 3 years upon completion.

Coaches who qualified pre-2013 can update their safeguarding training by completing the online Safeguarding Level 2. On registering for the online course, coaches will be sent login details for the e-learning portal to allow them to complete the course.

Coaches that have completed an ECB Certificate in Coaching Children’s Cricket or an ECB Certificate in Coaching Young People & Adults (post-2013) and Coach Support Workers can update their Safeguarding Level 2 using their e-learning portal. This will appear on the portal approximately 48 hours after registering for the course.

New coaches that have enrolled on one of our Coach Education courses, will be sent a login to complete the Safeguarding Level 2, which will need to be done prior to starting your course.

Please note that Overseas Coaches and Club Safeguarding Officers can now complete the online Safeguarding Level 2 and Safeguarding for Committee Members & Officials (CSOs) respectively.

If you require a link to complete the Safeguarding Level 2 course please email [email protected] with the following information do that this can be sent out:
Full Name
Club
Your position at Club Safeguarding Level 2 required for
Email Address

ECB Coaches Association

The purpose of ECB Coaches Association (ECBCA) is to inspire participation and maximise the performance of cricket coaches and players.
Members come from all levels of the game, right from the England team downwards, and have somewhere to turn to get the ongoing support all coaches need in order to be the best they can be.

Nationally, the ECBCA offers a range of products and services that help you to support players.

Your membership will provide access to the latest thinking and developments through our resources, invitations to workshops, networking with like-minded coaches as well as being able to wear the ECBCA three lions.

All members must abide by the ECB Coaches Code of Conduct.

If you need to update or amend your membership details, please contact either [email protected] or [email protected].

BECOME A MEMBER

ECB Coaches Association Benefits

Benefits available for all members

National and local networking: The coach collective, learning workshops and local events

Communications: Regular news and updated to your inbox including The icoachcricket Podcast

Benefits exclusive to enhanced members

Exclusive videos: Wings to Fly on icoach cricket

Exclusive articles: Hitting the Seam and Coaches Matter on icoachcricket

Access to coachingkit.co.uk: Shop for exclusive ECB CA clothing and wear the three lions

Insurance: Kerry London provide specialist insurance cover for qualified coaches

Basic
MEMBERSHIP

2026 – Free

Open to anyone interested in cricket coaching

BECOME A MEMBER

Enhanced
Membership

2026 – £30

You must hold a coaching award*
You must have a valid ECB DBS
You must be 16-years-old or over

*Minimum requirement is ECB Support Coach/Coach Support Worker/ECB Coaching Assistant Award 

Apply here

Coach Development Bursaries

Introduction

Bursaries funded by the generous support of the England and Wales Cricket Trust are intended to increase the diversity of learners taking their first step into coaching, gaining a qualification or taking the next step on their coach development journey.

A bursary can be awarded to learners who register on ECB Support Coach, ECB Foundation Coach or ECB Core Coach programmes between 1st February 2026 and 31st January 2027.

APPLY HERE

Who can apply for a bursary?

Groups that have been identified to increase the diversity of learners accessing coach development programmes are:

Female Coaches

Coaches from ethnically diverse communities

Coaches with a disability

Coaches experiencing financial hardship

Apply for a Coach Development Bursary

Please use the link below to apply for a bursary. Please note, if you are experiencing financial hardship and applying for a bursary you will need a discount code to complete your ECB Support Coach/ECB Foundation Coach/ECB Core Coach registration.

APPLY HERE

How is the bursary claimed?

Anyone wanting to access coach development who is experiencing financial hardship will be awarded a bursary of up to 100% of the national price of the programme.

Once an applicant receives confirmation they will need to complete their programme registration using a discount code to redeem their bursary.

Anyone wanting to access coach development that is female, from an ethnically diverse community, has a disability and is not experiencing financial hardship will be awarded a bursary of up to 50% of the national price of the programme.

Once an applicant receives confirmation they will need to complete their programme registration and make full payment and upon attendance at face-to-face modules receive a refund to redeem their bursary.

APPLY HERE

Contact

If you have an enquiry relating to coach development, please get in touch.

Call our team

01245252420

Send an email

[email protected]

UMpiring and Scoring

The roles of the officials are among the most important in cricket, where umpiring requires a keen eye for detail and a reputation for fairness, and socring required.

New umpires and scorers are always required at the recreational level. In Essex, we run courses for umpires and scorers to help people understand more about the roles, in addition, the ECB Association of Cricket Officials runs courses that provide opportunities to move on to higher levels.

Umpiring

Certified Umpiring Courses

New umpires are always required at recreational level, so if giving something back to cricket in this way appeals to you, this page has the details of courses that will allow you to learn about the role of an umpire.

In Essex, we have two Essex Certified courses that give you a feel for umpiring and the basic laws. These courses are free, but participants do need to book a place. Clubs can book these courses specifically for their members. Please contact our team for more information on hosting a course.

The ECB have created a free online course that takes 45 – 60 minutes, which provides and Introduction to Umpiring. There is also the ECB Accredited course that provide opportunities to move on to higher levels. This course will provide official accreditation. There is a cost for this course.

In addition, there are two further Essex Certified courses that are the next steps for those who have completed the ECB course and are intending to take up umpiring.

Contact the team

Introduction to Umpiring Course - Essex Certified Course Part 1

The Part 1 Introduction Course is aimed at beginners and will provide the skills needed to umpire Junior School Age softball cricket. The topics covered are not watered down and would be the same as if umpiring an adult game. The course is suitable for people aged 12+ and lasts about 1.5 hours, It covers:

Standing at Bowler’s and Striker’s End

Wides

No Balls

Basic Signals

Main Modes of Dismissal

Dates

time

venue

BOOKING DETAILS

26 March 2026

19:00-2030

Colchester and East Essex CC,
Colchester

Book Here

Umpiring (Development) Essex Certified Course Part 2

The Part 2 Development Course develops the skills from the Introduction Course, so that people are confident to umpire hard-ball cricket and would be useful for players who may have to take their turn at umpiring. People do not need to have taken the Introduction to Umpiring Course to attend. The course is suitable for people aged 13+ and lasts about 2 hours. It covers:

Signalling

ECB Directives

No Balls

Wides

Scoring Runs

Methods of Dismissal

Counting the balls in an over and signalling between umpires

Dates

time

venue

BOOKING DETAILS

24 February 2026

19:00-21:00

Great Dunmow CC, St Edmunds Lane,
Great Dunmow

Book Here

2 March 2026

19:30-21:30

Leigh-on-Sea CC,
Westcliff-on-Sea

Book Here

9 March 2026

19:00-21:00

Theydon Bois CC, Loughton Lane,
Theydon Bois

Book Here

Umpiring (Progression) Essex Certified Course Part 3

The Part 3 Progression Course is aimed at people who have done the ECB Course and are intending to umpire. It recaps the skills learned on the ECB Course and helps to ensure that umpires are match ready. The course lasts about 3 hours. It covers:

Role of the Umpire and Spirit of Cricket

Umpire's Equipment

Match Regulations

Use of Umpire Record Card and Importance of Team Sheets

Arriving at the Ground and Duties Prior to the Toss

The Toss

Duties Prior to the Call of Play

Recap of Signalling

Recap of Dismissals and need for an Appeal

ECB Directives

Movement of Umpires to Ensure Safe and Best Position

Over Throws and Runs Scored

Unfair/Dangerous Bowling

Concussion Protocols

Call of Time

Dates

time

venue

BOOKING DETAILS

8 March 2026

11:00-14:00

Doug Insole Pavilion, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford

Book here

Umpiring (Advanced) Essex Certified Course Part 4

The Part 4 Advanced Course is aimed at people who have done the ECB Course and are wanting to join a league panel. It develops the learning from the Part 3 Progression Course and looks at the skills required to umpire at a first XI league level. The course lasts about 3 hours. It covers:

Planning and Preparation

Appearance

Meeting Colleague, Scorers and Ground Staff

Fitness of Pitch for Play

Use of Ball and Bat Guages

The Protected Area

Dead Ball Situations

The Wicket Keeper

Infringements by the Fielding Side

Use of Umpire Record Card/Notepad

Working with Captains during Play

Lost Ball

Dismissals

Getting Confident with LBW

Bowler changing mode of delivery

Non-striker leaving ground early

Use of Runner

Rain affected Matches

Damaging the Pitch

ECB Directives (Laws 41 and 42)

Writing a Disciplinary Report

Dates

time

venue

BOOKING DETAILS

Coming soon

ECB Online Course

The ECB Online Course consist of 5 modules and takes about an hour to complete. It is free and participants do not need to do all the course in one go, as the programme remembers where you got up to when you go back to it. To access the Course. Please click here.

Qualified Umpire Course ECB Accredited

The ECB Qualified Umpire Course is designed to give new umpires the key skills, knowledge and confidence to stand as an umpire in cricket.

The course is split into classroom and practical learning, so we recommend participants come dressed appropriately.

Participants will be asked to complete some e-learning prior to attending the course, which will take no more than 90 minutes to complete in total. Pre-learning can be completed via multiple visits or in one go. Learners must be 14 years of age at the time of the course.

The cost of this course is £70.00. After completing it, learners will have the confidence and competence to go and umpire at appropriate levels within recreational cricket.

No prior experience of umpiring in cricket is required before attending the course. Whether you plan to support Junior Softball cricket through to adult cricket, this course will cover the following topics:

Understanding the Role of the Umpire

Gaining a Basic Understanding of Umpiring the Game

Answering Appeals and the Common Methods of Dismissal

Communicating Effectively with all Stakeholders in the Game

Judging Wether or not it is Safe to Play

Dates

time

venue

BOOKING DETAILS

28 March 2026

10:00-16:30

Colchester Sports Park, Colchester

Book Here

Certified Scoring Course

The roles of the officials are among the most important in cricket. New umpires and scorers are always required at the recreational level.

In Essex, we run courses for umpires and scorers to help people understand more about the roles, in addition, the ECB Association of Cricket Officials runs courses that provide opportunities to move on to higher levels.

ECB Scoring Courses

The ECB ACO Level 2 course is for ACO members who are accredited level 1 scorers and are thinking about scoring matches for multiple clubs, in new and longer formats of the game.

This course focuses on the planning and preparation required when scoring away from your home venue and covers some of the additional duties that scorers perform.

After attending this course, scorers will need to score a minimum of 10 matches, putting into practice the topics covered in the course. They will need to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate this and when ready, apply for professional discussion and accreditation.

Date

DESCRIPTION

Time

Venue

Cost

Booking Details

15 March 2026

Scoring Techniques

10:00-13:00