Head of Cricket – Trent College

Responsible to: Director of Sport (Whole School)

This role would suit either a coach with suitable qualifications and experience or a teacher of PE and sport with a particular specialism in this area.

Trent College seeks to appoint an outstanding Head of Cricket to lead, develop and deliver a high-quality, aspirational cricket programme across the whole school, including The Elms (the Junior School to Trent College).

This is a key leadership role within a leading independent school and presents an exciting opportunity for a visionary coach to further enhance Trent College’s reputation for cricket, while playing a central role in the continued growth of the girls’ game.

Cricket is a core performance sport for boys at Trent College and is an increasingly important and developing sport for girls. The Head of Cricket will be responsible for establishing a clear, ambitious and sustainable strategic vision for cricket that reflects this balance, ensuring excellence in boys’ cricket alongside a progressive, well-supported pathway for girls’ cricket.

JOB PURPOSE
• To develop, direct and implement the strategic vision for cricket at Trent College.
• To lead and manage pupil and coach development across all year groups, giving support to The Elms in their development of the sport.
• To deliver a cricket programme of coaching and fixtures that promotes wide participation whilst enabling talented pupils to achieve sporting excellence.
• To support, promote and grow girls’ cricket in line with the school’s long-term sporting strategy.
• To be responsible for the effective organisation, administration and delivery of the cricket programme.
• To enhance the school’s already strong reputation in cricket locally, regionally and nationally.
• (Where appropriate and depending on the post holder’s experience and expertise) to contribute to the wider PE and Games programme across the whole school.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Whole school cricket programme (The Elms to Sixth Form).
• Leadership of performance cricket and participation pathways.
• Strategic planning, development and growth of cricket in the context of the development planning for sport in general.
• Player recruitment and talent identification.
• Coach leadership, deployment and development.
• External partnerships with clubs, counties and performance pathways.

LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
• Provide strong, visible leadership for cricket across the school.
• Establish a clear strategic direction for cricket aligned to the Whole School Sports Programme.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and aspirational culture.
• Work closely with The Elms to ensure a coherent whole-school cricket pathway.
• Lead boys’ cricket as a performance sport and fostering the growth of girls’ cricket.
• Lead, organise and develop a team of sports teachers and coaches operating within the games programme.
• Build and maintain strong links with clubs, counties and performance pathways.

COACHING AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
• Be the lead cricket coach within the school.
• Establish and communicate a clear coaching philosophy.
• Ensure coaching is effective, innovative and progressive.
• Provide opportunities for performance and participation players.
• Support talented pupils through county and regional pathways.
• Support the development of girls’ cricket.
• Monitor and give feedback on player progress.

PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITION
• Establish a culture of performance.
• Deliver a structured weekly, termly and yearly programme.
• Organise fixtures, competitions and tours.
• Expand competitive opportunities for girls’ cricket.
• Maintain an appropriate strength and conditioning programme for players.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
• Oversee cricket administration including fixtures and logistics.
• Manage budgets, kit and equipment.
• Liaise with grounds staff.
• Ensure safeguarding and medical best practice.

COMMUNICATION
• Maintain effective communication with pupils, parents and staff.
• Promote cricket positively within the school community.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Adhere to all school policies.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school.