During March, the WCB team welcomed two new Community Coaches to the team. Rob Eynon and Luke Miley have joined the schools’ coaching team and are looking forward to a busy summer coaching cricket in schools across the county. Before they pack up their coaching kit bags and hit the road, let’s find out a bit more about them.
Rob and Luke are both passionate about cricket and their roles as coaches. They share a commitment to growing the game, introducing it to school children, and providing valuable life skills - as well as hopefully nurturing a lifelong love of cricket. Their journeys into their current roles, however, have been quite different.
Until 2020, Rob was working in car sales and leasing. He had played cricket since he was eight years old but was forced to give up his promising cricket career as a result of a series of back injuries. Being furloughed in 2020 gave Rob the opportunity to reconsider his career path. “I decided to have a career change and do something I have a passion for. I wanted to be involved in a role that meant more than just a job. I was already taking a Level 2 coaching course, so the transition was quite easy. Once qualified, I was a casual coach for a while, with the Warwickshire and Leicestershire Cricket Boards, but I jumped at the chance to make the move a full time one. I love being back involved in cricket again. I have four children and they are starting to play cricket now, so the timing is perfect.”
Luke, in contrast, has already been teaching and coaching sport in schools for 12 years. After completing a Level 2 Apprenticeship, he worked for some of that time as a PE lead and PE teacher in West Midlands primary schools, as well as working for a coaching company. “I enjoyed the variety of teaching in different types of schools and academies. I was teaching all the sports on the national curriculum, but cricket is my main interest, so this job is great for me as I now get to be involved in cricket all day.”
Although they have only just joined the WCB team, both coaches have positive first impressions of their new roles. Luke says, “The rest of the team have been helpful and welcoming to me. I’m looking forward to being part of such a professional team, which delivers coaching to a really high standard. I have been very impressed by the Chance to Shine programme, both in a cricketing context and also the valuable life skills it provides to children.”
Rob agrees and adds, “I’ve enjoyed the move into full time coaching. For me personally growing up, Warwickshire was always the pinnacle of my aspirations as a young cricketer. I didn’t get there as a player but being part of it as a coach is brilliant. I love seeing children active and enjoying themselves. Even after a few weeks I am already able to see the development in the children I coach. I especially find it rewarding to coach the children who initially say they don’t like cricket or that they ‘can’t do it’. To see them pick the game up and become engaged is great. It’s also good to hear the feedback from teachers that the children enjoy the sessions and can’t wait for the next one.”
It’s time to ask Rob and Luke the questions we asked Charlie and Shahzeb a few weeks ago when they started with the WCB coaching team.
|
Question
|
Rob’s Answer |
Luke’s Answer |
|
What’s the best part of your new role? |
Asking the children at the end of the session if they have enjoyed it and hearing them all scream “YES!!” The children we coach have all had a rough couple of years so I’m enjoying helping them get back to normal. |
Being involved in cricket all day. Cricket is my passion, so to just focus 100% on cricket is fantastic. |
|
Which coach has inspired you and been a good role model for you? |
I was a late bloomer at cricket, but was inspired by Ian Stokes, my fellow opening batter at Moseley CC. I always looked up to him and how he prepared. |
My grandad, as he started me off playing cricket and coaching. He had me involved informally coaching at my local club when I was about 12. |
|
Do you play cricket and if so, who for? |
I played recreational cricket last year at Alvechurch & Hopwood CC but this year I’m going to focus on my job and the family. |
I’m 1st team captain at Romsley & Hunnington CC. I bat at 3 and bowl offspin…… |
|
Which well-known cricketer has a similar skillset to you? |
As an opening batter, I’m going to say Alistair Cook. |
….so it’s got to be Joe Root! |
|
Who’s your favourite ever Bear? |
Brian Lara |
Ian Bell |
|
What are your interests outside cricket? |
Football (I support Villa) and NFL (the Cleveland Browns are my team). |
Mainly family, especially my mum and grandma, but I also support Villa and go to watch them when I can. |
|
What’s your favourite film? |
Avengers: Infinity War |
Cool Runnings |
|
What’s on your playlist for your cricket sessions? |
On the summer camp I coached at last summer, we played The Hundred playlist all summer and the kids loved it, especially Wickets by Jax Jones. |
Anything really. The children I coach tend to like the old favourites, so Sweet Caroline is popular. |
Rob and Luke both bring a wealth of great experience to the WCB coaching team, and we wish them all the best for an action-packed summer of cricket in schools. Neither of them would have predicted 10 years ago that they would now be working at the WCB, but as Rob summarises, “You can’t predict where things will lead you. I’m amazed at how far I have come over the last 18 months in terms of my confidence as a coach. If it wasn’t for the pandemic and being furloughed, I might very well still be in the car leasing industry. Being in a position now to share my life experience and passion for cricket is fantastic. I often ask myself what my own kids would get out of this session, and it really helps me relate to the children I am coaching.”
