ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Alex Lush and I’m the new Bearsted CC Junior Cricket Officer for the 2025 season.

I have been at the club since I was 5 years old, having come through the Junior set up myself. More recently, I served as Sunday XI Captain (2021-2023) and I have been 1st XI Vice Captain since 2022. Last season I was the leading wicket taker in Division 1 of the Kent County Village League.

2025 PLANS

This season we are aiming to develop a club dynamic across both the Junior set up for boys and girls and Senior men's and women's teams. This will involve significant contibutions from Senior players in Junior coaching, either during the usual training sessions or by running specialised training sessions focusing on specific skills.

Coaching will become more steered towards preparing Juniors for the eventual step up to Senior Cricket, with the hope that every Junior could one-day play 1st XI cricket. Greater involvement from Senior Players in the Junior set up, will allow Juniors to develop more skills and see the pathway up towards Senior Cricket that I and so many other players have experienced.

Whilst there will be changes to our style of coaching, I also place a big emphasis on kids enjoying their cricket. Whether that’s at Under 7 and Under 9 level playing softball cricket for the first time in the sun at the Green on a Sunday morning, or an Under 15 preparing for the next step towards, or even first game in, Senior cricket.

AGE GROUP MANAGERS / COACHES

As with previous seasons, the age groups will be managed by some committed parent and club member volunteers. These individuals will primarily manage communications for their age groups, manage any fixtures, team selections and matchday events, but on training days they will be supported by an increased team of coaches from across the club.

U7-U9 - Tim Croom
U11 - James Tank
U13 - David Patton
U15 - Alex Lush & James West
U17 - Alex Lush

WHATS COMING UP/PRE SEASON

UNDER 7/9

No pre season training is planned for the youngest age group. Our mini softball cricket season will start, weather willing, in early May as in previous seasons.

UNDER 11/13

For U11 and U13 our winter training has already started. Indoor nets take place on Monday Evenings (6-7:30pm) at New Line Learning Academy. These will be running all the way through to the end of March with some gap weeks due to hall availability. All training sessions are in the Pitchero app and on the previously shared flyer.

Our Under 13s have also been taking part in the Calypso Indoor Cricket League for the first time, playing against some strong teams from across the region. They’ve played 4, won 2 and lost 2, but with one game still to go this Friday, have qualified for the Semi finals which will take place on Friday 21st February. Congratulations U13s!

UNDER 15/17

Winter nets for Under 15 and Under 17 age groups will take place at the same time as Seniors. Under 15s will train separately from the Seniors initially whilst Under 17s will train together with Seniors.

This will take place at St Augustine Academy (Oakwood Park) on Sunday evenings (4:30-6pm). The first session is on Sunday 9th February. These sessions will also run through to the end of the March - see Pitchero and the flyer for more details.

Following on from these indoor sessions we hope we can begin outdoor training for all age groups at some point in early/mid April.

OUTDOOR TRAINING

Final timings and locations will be confirmed nearer the time, but the current outline plan is as follows:

Tuesday PM: Hardball Training (U11-U13)
Wednesday PM: Under 15 (with Under 17 / senior training to follow)
Thursday PM: Incrediball/Hardball Development Training (U11)
Sunday AM: U7/U9

Please note: Hardball training will be for both experience Under 11 and Under 13 hardball players. Under 11s are encouraged to go to both incrediball and hardball training to continue to develop core skills, however, if they are not confident enough with hardball cricket then we suggest only attending incrediball training to begin with.

I am excited to be taking on this role at the club I have grown up playing for. The junior team is looking forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2025 season!

Any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thanks,

Alex Lush (Bearsted CC Junior Officer)

Phone: 07966035852
Email: lushalex14@gmail.com