Director of Cricket / Player-Coach

About Beckenham CC

Beckenham Cricket Club is an ambitious, inclusive and community-focused cricket club in South East London, with a proud history and a clear ambition for the future.

The club fields six senior men’s Saturday teams alongside a substantial Sunday cricket programme, one of the largest junior sections in the area, and a growing and successful Women & Girls section.

As part of our 2031 vision, Beckenham CC has launched Project Phoenix — a five-year plan to rebuild men’s performance cricket and create a sustainable elite pathway that enables Beckenham’s best young players to fulfil their potential at their club.

The Opportunity

Beckenham Cricket Club is seeking an ambitious and experienced Director of Cricket / Player-Coach to play a leading role in the delivery of Project Phoenix.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual to have a significant influence on the future direction of cricket at Beckenham. We are looking for someone who wants not only to perform on the field, but to help build the environment, standards and pathway around it.

The successful candidate will be expected to be an important member of Beckenham’s 1st XI while helping to shape the performance environment around it.

Working alongside the Club Chair, captains, coaches and wider cricket leadership team, the Director of Cricket will help establish the standards, coaching environment and player pathway required to return Beckenham to the higher levels of Kent club cricket.

The role will operate across both winter and summer programmes, with flexibility around the precise structure and responsibilities depending on the experience and strengths of the successful candidate.

Person Specification

Essential

• Current or recent county-level playing experience, or equivalent high-level cricket experience
• Ability and availability to make a significant contribution to Beckenham CC’s Men’s 1st XI
• ECB Level 2 coaching qualification, equivalent qualification, or demonstrable coaching experience at an appropriate level
• Experience coaching and developing ambitious senior and/or high-potential junior players
• Ability to lead by example and establish high standards around training, preparation, performance and behaviour
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with players, captains, coaches, juniors and volunteers
• Ability to identify, develop and mentor talented players
• Commitment to supporting the development and retention of existing Beckenham players alongside targeted external recruitment
• A positive, inclusive and professional approach consistent with Beckenham CC’s values of fun, inclusive and competitive
• Adherence to ECB safeguarding and DBS requirements

Desirable

• Previous professional, first-class, county 2nd XI, National Counties or equivalent high-level playing experience
• ECB Level 3 coaching qualification or higher
• Previous experience as a Director of Cricket, Head Coach, Player-Coach or in a similar cricket leadership role
• Experience identifying and recruiting players who improve both performance and culture
• Experience designing and delivering winter and summer performance programmes
• An interest in developing a longer-term coaching and cricket leadership role at Beckenham

Areas of Responsibility

1. Play & Lead within the 1st XI

Play a significant role in Beckenham CC’s Men’s 1st XI throughout the league season

Lead by example through performance, preparation, training standards and behaviour

Act as a visible role model for ambitious players throughout the senior and junior sections

2. Performance Coaching

Help design and deliver a high-quality winter & summer performance programme

Lead and/or support weekly senior performance training during the summer

Provide individual technical coaching and mentoring to 1st and 2nd XI players and identified high-potential players

Work with existing Beckenham coaches and bring in specialist coaching support where appropriate

3. Player Pathway & Development

Help create a clear pathway for talented players from junior cricket through the 3rd and 2nd XIs and into 1st XI cricket

Work closely with junior and senior coaches to identify players with the potential to progress

Help manage the transition of high-potential young players into senior performance cricket, including mentoring and individual development planning.

The pathway is central to Project Phoenix: the club’s stated objective is not simply improved league position, but building the system that can sustain performance over time.

4. Recruitment & Retention

Support the retention and development of Beckenham’s strongest existing players

Identify gaps within the performance squad and help recruit a small number of high-quality additions who strengthen both performance and club culture

Use personal cricket networks proactively to identify potential recruits

5. Cricket Leadership, Culture & Standards
Help establish a clear performance philosophy and standards for Beckenham cricket
Promote expectations around commitment, training, behaviour and matchday preparation
Build a culture based on hard work, improvement, enjoyment and commitment to the club

Contract & Benefits

• Initial 12-month contract, with the intention of building a longer-term relationship
• Competitive remuneration, with flexibility depending on the experience and playing profile of the successful candidate.
• Additional paid coaching opportunities may be available
• Opportunity to develop additional paid one-to-one and small-group coaching using BCC facilities.
• Significant opportunity to shape and influence the future direction of performance cricket at Beckenham CC

Safeguarding

Beckenham Cricket Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will be required to work closely with the Club Safeguarding Officer, comply with ECB safeguarding requirements, undertake the appropriate DBS checks and provide satisfactory references.