A mentoring first

Cricket Victoria's (CV) inaugural mentoring program has taken full flight in the Inner East Metro region.

Recognising that mentoring of coaches is a common activity in many other sports, CV identified the need to implement the program.

The program started with Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot, experienced mentoring educator Clara McCormack and CV Education and Training Coordinator Neil Gray coordinating an open evening at Camberwell where they first introduced the concepts and benefits of mentoring.

Helmot regaled the room with his experiences of being mentored by Greg Shipperd and VVS Laxman, among others, as well as discussing his current role of mentoring coaches across Melbourne.

As a result of the open night, six coaches, ranging from Bartercard Premier Cricket with international experience to MILO in2CRICKET Coordinators at a junior club decided to receive further training to become mentors.

McCormack will provide coaches with resources over the course of the year to up-skill them in best practice while Helmot will meet with them to discuss their experiences and offer his opinions.

In addition to the six coaches to become mentors, a further three of the attendees recognised the great value that mentors could bring to their improvement as a coach.

Chris Cunningham is involved at the sub district club Box Hill and is being mentored by Helmot.

“I’m extremely fortunate to be given an opportunity to work alongside Simon and it’s all thanks to the coach mentor program,” Cunningham said.

“I’ve learnt so much already and it’s fantastic to be able to see first-hand how a first-class coach creates an environment for his players that allows them to make the most of their potential.”

Schools were also represented at the event with Scotch College cricket coach Claire Van Boxel also receiving mentoring support to assist her in coaching the 8C side.

“As a teacher relatively new to coaching I have found the mentoring program an essential part of my coaching journey,” Van Boxel said.

“It has helped develop my confidence as a coach and contributed to my enjoyment of the role.”

The final stream of the program involves assisting clubs to review their coaching culture and help them create a sustainable mentoring culture in their club with initial external support.

McCormack and Gray visited two clubs in the region and spent an evening with a selection of their coaches investigating opinions on the coaching culture from coaches, players and parents.

After identifying the areas where they could possibly McCormack and Gray facilitated a discussion around how mentors could assist.

The club then receives a document with the results of the evening and McCormack and Gray will stay in contact with them throughout the year, feeding support through resources and providing mentor coaches.

“The mentoring information sessions went very well,” McCormack said.

“It was inspiring to see such passion in community clubs, and a drive to improve the coaching culture at the clubs.

“I was impressed by the turn out on both evenings and it was great to hear from all of these volunteers.

“We look forward to designing a program for each of the clubs that will assist in attracting more coaches and players.”

CV sees this pilot as another step in their provision of coach development support, which is well underway with their regional and state coaching seminars.

“Our ideal result is that the mentors continue their development, mentees become mentors and pick up new coaches to assist and the clubs have strong robust coaching cultures that drive a mentoring programme specific to them,” Gray said.

CV will review the program at the end of the year and will hopefully look to move into a second region in 2015-16.

For further information on the project please contact Neil Gray on ngray@cricketvictoria.com.au