The Isle of Man Cricket Association have been delivering in primary and secondary schools across the Isle of Man since 2016. The IOMCA have an extensive offer for schools to receive high quality coaching from Reception to Year 11. All our delivery is to promote exit routes to clubs and IOMCA programmes, whether this be club coaching, female soft ball cricket and MSR or IOMCA programmes e.g. CricStart or Manx Youth Games.
Our qualified coaches including a number of current Isle of Man players aim to give all children the opportunity for participation, enjoyment and skill development.
Lizzie Crouch-Blacker, Year 2 Teacher, Marown Primary School: "The children at Marown School have been so lucky to have worked with the IOMCA this year. They have carried out brilliant coaching sessions for the children which have really helped to improve the children’s throwing, catching, bowling and batting skills. All of the coaches have been engaging, knowledgeable, professional and fun
IOMCA School Programmes
Primary School Offer Club-School Link Programme The IOMCA have invested in a primary schools programme to develop a number of club-school links across the island. Each club with a junior section will target one school who will receive three free days of cricket coaching based around the ICC Criiio Cricket programme. The purpose of a club-school link is to provide a pathway from school sport to community (club) sport. These schools are being targeted to provide sustainable models where school staff have the confidence to deliver the Criiio Cricket programme. Establishing a club-school link allows young people to make the most of their experiences in both settings, to ease the transition from school to club and feel more comfortable in a club setting. The aim is to improve communication between club, school, young person and parent with a more personal approach to communication. As part of the club-school link programme up to 12 Year 5 and 6 pupils can take part in Primary Cricket Leaders’ training. This 3-hour course was introduced to the club-school link programme to develop transferable skills and to take a holistic approach to learning to encourage additional activity at lunch time, break time and after school clubs, which can be led by the new Primary Cricket Leaders.
Manx Youth Games Programme Primarily for Year 2, 3 and 4 the Manx Youth Games scheme will involve two schools per club who receive two free days CricSoft coaching to encourage children to participate in their local Manx Youth Games sessions. This will be between January to March.
CricStart Programme The CricStart programme is a new initiative from the Isle of Man Cricket Association aimed at providing children aged three to nine with a great first experience in cricket. The programme is divided into two age groups: CricKids - Ages 3-6 CricKids is a great first introduction to cricket and focuses on developing children’s athletic, social and very basic cricket skills. The emphasis is on having fun and being active. CricSoft - Ages 7-9 CricSoft is a high-speed version of cricket where the emphasis is on participation and enjoyment. It is designed to help participants learn the basics of cricket in an inclusive, enjoyable and safe environment, where all children take equal turns at batting, bowling and fielding. Sessions for Reception and Year 1 will involve activities and games from the CricKids programme and sessions for Year 2, 3 and 4 will have activities and games from the CricSoft programme. Full and half days will be available from April to June to promote and familiarise the children with the programme which is delivered at their local cricket club.
Taster Days All primary schools have the opportunity to have one day of free cricket coaching from IOMCA qualified coaches. Sessions will be based on batting, bowling and fielding skills including modified games. This will be during May, June and July.
Primary School Festivals All schools have the opportunity to take part in a Year 5 and 6 mixed competitive festival at Cronkbourne Cricket Club in May. All players receive a certificate and the winning school receives a trophy and medals. Schools also have the chance to take part in one of five regionalised skills festivals. Please email Kirsty Cooper [email protected] from Manx Sport and Recreation if you would like to enter.
Secondary School Offer
Boy's Cricket Cricket is delivered in secondary schools in the summer term and all year groups have the opportunity to take part in a 'Hundred' style competition.
Secondary School Girl's Offer All secondary schools from 2024 will take part in soft ball cricket in the PE curriculum. All secondary schools will have the opportunity to have a number of days of free cricket coaching for girls only from IOMCA qualified coaches. Sessions will be based on batting, bowling and fielding skills including softball modified games. This will be from May, June and July. There will also be 8-a-side soft ball cricket fixtures for Year 7, 8 and 9.
If you would like further information or tailored advice for your school, please get in touch with Sally Green on .[email protected]