CWB Training Weekend – Our journey starts here!

On the 17^th and 18^th of September 2011 CWB volunteers for the autumn projects headed down to The Deans Leisure Centre, Brighton. Arriving at 9:30am the Saturday morning all new and returning volunteers anticipated the weekend ahead.

The first part of the day consisted of Team building exercises and ice breakers and we got the chance to interact, have fun and meet our project team members. This was a valuable exercise appreciated by all. The day then moved on to various practical sessions and presentations that included Catching and Batting drills, and HIV/Aids awareness. With a few curious heads looming the leisure centre on how to link HIV and cricket development they were sharply acknowledged and answered with brilliant coaching practice and sessions set up by the ECB tutors.  We learned in the practical sessions how to link HIV and Aids into our coaching drills and how important the messages are. The ABC method was thoroughly driven throughout so that we understood how to imply it into our coaching in Africa. A being Abstain, which when put into context refers to many parts of a cricket game, for example abstain from hitting silly shots when you are batting as you will get out. B being Be faithful, which was incorporated into a wide range of scenarios especially when working with a partner. You would remind the kids to be faithful to their partner by giving them a simple throw to catch or by communicating well when running between the wickets to refrain from getting each other out. It could be used in any drill whether it be catching, throwing, batting or Bowling. C being Condomise or for a younger audience Protection which was linked to batting by protecting your wicket or using pads to protect yourself from injury. This again could be used in all aspects of the game. After some pulse raising and competitive practical we sat down at the end of the day to discuss what to expect in Africa. Each country was assigned a member of the CWB team who had valued experience in their respective destinations, this was extremely helpful as it cleared up all questions and queries about the project. Depart.

Day 2 begins with an earlier start at 9:00am. We recapped day 1 and got straight in the sports hall to shake off any fatigue gained from the previous day. Bowling and fielding was on the cards today and we worked in micro sessions delivering the skills to our peers. We know started to incorporate testing, treatment and stigma into our coaching as well as the ABC method we learnt yesterday. In case the teams had forgotten to ask yesterday, or had any thoughts arise overnight, another ‘what to expect in Africa’ session was held.  We then learned more about HIV/Aids including some overwhelming facts, stats and figures which really hit home and got the message across of how important incorporating the awareness is into our programmes. With all physical activity completed for the weekend, except mental exercise, it was time to sort out logistics and kit. All kit, wristband and t-shirts where distributed to the respected members of the teams and where negotiated by the project managers into the most effective method of delivering all kit from the leisure centre and then back to the airport for their flights. This was a helpful period as any worries about transport where cleared up. Role briefing was next on the menu, which meant each individual attended a session with the relevant role coordinator, bloggers, media and relations, welfare and monitoring where all clearly covered and understood by the volunteers taking up the jobs.

After a well organised and extremely exciting weekend the 3 projects headed off home in anticipation to their upcoming trips with great confidence and reassurance from the CWB team. Every question had been answered and every worry or concern put to bed. A truly terrific and successful weekend and a big thank you must go to everyone who helped out on the day from CWB, all trustees and mainly The Deans Leisure Centre, Brighton for their hospitality and venue.

I think I am right in saying that 3 projects now have a well oiled unit who are prepared to face the challenges ahead and hit the ground running when landing in Africa.

If we took anything away from the weekend it has got to be CWB’s ABC… Cricket Without Boundaries is A Brilliant Charity!

Thanks to all and good luck on your respective trips.

Cameron

Kenya Team Autumn 2011