Chapter 16 - Coaching

Since the First War Collegiate have tried their hardest to provide coaching for young players. L. C. Barber was chiefly responsible for this and did all the early organisation. At first distinguished players came as coaches, Cecil Parkin in 1923 and Herbert Sutcliffe in 1924. Herbert wrote to L. C. Barber from Australia in 1925:-

Dear Mr. Barber,

Kindly extend to all members of the Collegiate my sincere thanks for their cable of congratulations on my recent test scores.

If my performances have given satisfaction to my friends in Sheffield and district then I feel very proud.

Again many thanks and all best wishes to all.

Yours very sincerely,

Herbert Sutcliffe

Later coaches were less distinguished players, but probably as good, if not better, teachers.

John Neilson was mainly instrumental in reorganising the boys' coaching and youth cricket generally in the 1960s, including the running of boys' matches in August and September. The erection of the 'air-hall' at Abbeydale helped greatly by making indoor nets available and the air-hall was made as much use of as possible, subject to the needs of the Badminton Club. The chief coach for a long time was Cliff Gladwin, who was splendid with small boys and did great work.

A crucial moment for the club came in 1978, when J. B. Bethel, who had played with great success for Sheffield United, was appointed as 'Club Coach'. He was to be available to coach anybody, but his main commitment was to the young players, who were going to enter a team in the Sheffield & District Junior (Under 18) Cricket League. The team had difficulties to begin with because its average age was much less than most opponents, but, though still a younger side than most, it had a successful season in 1980, with Howard Yates winning the Wildsmith Trophy. There is also now an Under-13 side, which in 1980 reached the Regional Area National Knock Out Final.

Jack Bethel has brought very great enthusiasm to the young players, on whom any successful club must depend for the future, and his appointment was one of the most significant decisions ever made by the club. The young players under his charge will help to give a good start to the next hundred years of a very successful club.