Head of Cricket

Cricket and Sport at Lancing

Lancing has a proud Cricketing history. It is one of the oldest games played at the College, and one with strong OL links. Lancing has a broad fixture list that includes playing all local rivals as well as matches slightly further afield and also against touring and adult teams. A cricket week takes place towards the end of the Summer Term when the focus is the annual match against the MCC. Fixtures take place mainly on Saturdays, but midweek games are also evident in the calendar. Pupils engage in a number of different formats of the game from T20 to declaration matches and compete in both regional and national competitions. Currently six teams are fielded in the summer term, comprising of three senior elevens and three junior elevens.

The principal team sports are: Advent Term – Football (boys), Hockey (girls); Lent Term –

Hockey (boys), Netball (girls); Summer Term – Cricket, Tennis, Football (girls) and athletics. A wide range of sports is on offer within our Games/PE and co-curricular programme – Aerobics, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Cross-Country, climbing, Eton Fives, Fencing, Golf, Karate, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Volleyball and Water Polo.

The Appointment

The role of Head of Cricket is a demanding position. The postholder will report to the Director of Sport and will be responsible to the Head Master through the Director of Extra‑Curricular Activities. The Head of Cricket will hold responsibility for the strategic planning of Cricket at Lancing. The successful candidate will lead Cricket across the College and manage the development of the sport through all age groups from the Prep School upwards. It is expected that the Head of Cricket will also contribute to the coaching of the other principal team sports at the College.

The Head of Cricket will be a member of the Common Room, a member of the tutor team within one of the Houses and will also manage a group of tutees from the pupil body.

It is not expected that the Head of Cricket will teach a full timetable; however, they may contribute to timetabled non‑academic PE periods in the Lower School. A limited amount of teaching may be available in any of the subjects currently offered by Lancing to suit the profile of the successful candidate, but this is not a prerequisite of the post.

Job Title:                    Head of Cricket

Reporting to:              Director of Sport

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• To coordinate a thorough winter programme of training for all year groups.
• To establish a progressive and rational technical programme for all teams and year groups. The successful candidate would implement this at all levels from the Prep School upwards and should encourage a smooth cricketing transition from Prep to Senior School.
• In conjunction with the Director of Sport, move with the College towards The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) accreditation status.
• To improve links with the Junior and Senior Club network in our catchment area, thus raising the profile of the school game as well as potentially attracting more cricketers to the College as pupils.
• To improve the overall standard of Cricket played at Lancing.
• To raise the Lancing profile among feeder prep schools.
• To coach other sports, especially the other principal team sports during the Advent and Lent terms, this will include Saturday afternoons.
• To lead coaching sessions 1^st XI on matchdays (Summer Term), this will include fixtures on Saturday afternoons.
• To lead cricket coaching sessions at our Prep Schools and an appropriate team (U11-U13) on matchdays (Wednesday afternoon fixtures).
• To identify talented pupils at the Prep school and encourage a smooth cricket transition from Prep to Senior School.
• To develop girls’ cricket at Lancing.
• To assist in the delivery of other sports played at Lancing as required.

Skills and Experience

• Experience of leadership within a sporting environment.
• Experience of a professional cricket‑playing background, including recent playing experience.
• Experience of development work in an educational setting.
• A proven track record of successful coaching; ECB/UKCC Level 3 qualification (or equivalent).
• Understanding of wicket preparation and rotation (advantageous).
• Knowledge of, and empathy with, the independent school sector, with a clear commitment to education.
• A strong team player with the ability to lead and work effectively within a small team, as well as independently.
• Excellent planning, administrative and organisational skills.
• An outgoing, ambitious and motivated approach.
• Strong organisation, discretion, flexibility and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word and Excel; training will be provided for the College’s Management Information System.

This job description sets out the main duties at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary occasionally but without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed, and the candidate will be required to carry out any reasonable requests required by their Line Manager.

Application Procedure: 

Applications should be made using the application form. Candidates are asked to add a covering letter setting out, as succinctly as possible, their reasons for applying for the position at Lancing.

Application forms are available from the College website www.lancingcollege.org.uk.

Please send any emails to recruitment@lancing.org.uk

Informal conversations about the post may be arranged with the Director of Sport, Kelly Edwards, at: kve@lancing.org.uk

A full curriculum vitae and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of a minimum of three referees, one of whom should be the candidate’s current or most recent employer should be included with the application.

Applications will be reviewed on receipt and candidates may be invited to interview before the closing date. Early application is therefore advised.