Communities @One Case study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket

Project Address

Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Penrhos Farm Holyhead Isle of Anglesey LL65 2UJ Anglesey www.aamcc.co.uk

Location Visit

Overview Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club used Communities @One funding to purchase equipment that would enable the cricket club to take the training of its junior members one step further and incorporate modern technology. Utilised by all residents of the Isle of Anglesey, the cricket club has a long history on the island. Run by four key volunteer coaches, the cricket club has a junior membership of over 60 (with at least 45 keen regulars). Introduction Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club (AACC) aimed to use technology to enhance the athletic development of its junior cricket members. Run by long serving volunteers, the junior members were using personal equipment that was brought in by various members to take advantage of a piece of software that was donated, which enhanced player performance. It soon became clear that the demand to use this equipment was high amongst the junior team, and as a consequence, it could not be used to its full advantage. Too many members wanted to use the basic level of equipment available (one laptop, one camcorder and the software programme, all of which were owned by separate members) and this in itself was restrictive. The volunteers were nervous about leaving their own equipment with the members unattended, who were timetabled to use the equipment with a coach. Due to the demand this did not allow any time for consistent sessions. Funding enabled AACC to use technology to enhance and monitor junior members technique, and therefore improving their overall athletic development. Funding purchased equipment for an ICT suite, where members used the facilities and the software programmes individually to work on their own game; as well as the free-standing equipment such as laptops and camcorders.

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

The ICT suite was used to produce newsletters, to manage the club website, for digital photography and film making (by using footage taken using the software), all linked with their passion for the sport. The suite was also the location for informal e-learning sessions which incorporated themes such as coaching, sports administration, healthy living, risk assessment, and health and safety. Skills learnt by the volunteers during these sessions had a two fold effect. Firstly, it enabled the volunteers to develop their own skills to use the technology to its best advantage. Secondly, these skills were cascaded to the members of the junior section. The organisation Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club (AACC) is well established on the Isle of Anglesey with a reputation that now sees them known throughout Wales. With their foundations as a cricket club beginning in the 1970s, funding from Communities @One saw them able to further develop the growing interest in the sport amongst the junior section. The funding enabled the club to invest in computer technology which would enhance the coaching on offer, as well as to provide ICT skills to its young members that are complementary to sports development. Run by 12 volunteers, AACC junior section have over 60 young members between the ages of 7 16, with older members of the junior division transferring to the older section. Funding AACC received 13,897.42 from Communities @One. The funding was used to buy desktop PCs, laptops, a projector and screen, digital cameras and camcorders. Funding also enable AACC to purchase Quintic Coaching Software. The portability of the laptops and camcorders allowed AACC to use the equipment during matches and at other venues (including indoor venues during the winter months); ensuring that the equipment can be used throughout the year. How the project has worked Funding from Communities @One enabled AACC to develop the coaching abilities of the club and provide a rounded coaching approach, which focused on the development of the individual. The equipment that the funding provided improved the clubs capacity to monitor and improve athletic development, and provided skills in ICT that are complementary to sports and leisure development. AACC used technology to improve both the playing skills of its members and to demonstrate the different uses technology can have. The technology funded by Communities @One was a platform for both technical engagement and athletic development; resulting in better skilled, more
Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

confident players and better skilled and more knowledgeable coaches. Members and coaches were trained at their own pace, enabling the greatest understanding possible from the individual, with the equipment available. With the funding from Communities @One, AACC has also been able to expand the use of the equipment, complementing sports development with ICT training. Members use the ICT suite to produce CVs which combine a traditional format, incorporated with show-reel footage which is created using footage taken during coaching. These CVs are submitted for professional trials and to scouts. Using the equipment in this way has led to the selection of one of its members for the Under 11 Wales cricket team; with further members developing their CVs for submission. The ICT suite is a hub for the marketing of the club. Members are able to run and update the club website, produce regular newsletters which communicate fixture lists, match wins, news; as well as highlighting members who had worked particularly hard or had improved significantly. Newsletters and the use of digital photography have also allowed the project to communicate direct with parents and schools about group and individual sporting achievements. The ICT suite has been a valuable resource that the club can now offer. The high spec systems and software enable each member to develop their coaching and technical skills. The projector and screen are utilised to host team viewings of the show-reels produced by its members, enhancing team cohesion and adding another dimension to coaching methods. Achievements AACC have recorded the following achievements up to March 2008.

4 volunteers were trained using e-learning materials in coaching, sporting and recreational development to deliver coaching using the funded equipment. 15 members were trained to use the equipment to produce newsletters, videos and show reels, as well as to use the equipment to enhance their CVs. 24 members and 4 volunteers were trained to specifically use all elements of the Quintic Coaching Software, which was subsequently cascaded down to other members of the club. The club is now looking to develop the skills learnt with the show-reels and offer digital storytelling as a further tool of engagement with its members. The club recently began to include its younger members on the subcommittee, where they report back the progress of junior members using the software. This also allows the junior segment of the club to be part of the consultation process in matters which affects the running of

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

AACC. This is an additional element to the personal development of its members. The technology combined with the sport has attracted the attention of a number of local primary schools, engaging young pupils to have a go at cricket. Session coaching is now arranged with the schools, which culminates in a local schools softball tournament at the end of the school year. The winning team represents Anglesey at a national schools softball tournament. The club has made a number of links with local organisations, bodies and Communities @One funded projects with a common interest in sport, coaching and the software used. These include: o Bangor University Department of Health, Sport and Exercise, o The club has connected with another Communities @One project with a common interest in software, o The group has held talks with Llangefni Golf Course about the possibilities of the golf club using the techniques which have proved a success at AACC.

As well as the quantifiable results, the club has also seen a huge increase in interest in the sport on the island and interest in the equipment they use. Golf and football clubs have shown an interest in this software and are keen to link up, to share ideas and gain advice from the volunteers. The group are in the very early stages of exploring various paths for income generation, looking towards the development of the clubs future. Since the introduction of the technology, the Head Coach of the junior team, Selwyn Rees noted a significant development of both the enthusiasm for the sport and the confidence of the clubs players. Three of the players in particular are utilising the equipment in order to improve their playing skills as well as their personal development, with a view to attending trials for national teams. These were previous members who played the sport as a hobby, but with the equipment now available, they have gained the confidence to take their playing beyond that of a hobby. Selwyn was also recognised by the England and Wales Cricket Board for his outstanding contribution and services to cricket coaching. Kate Lewis of the EWCB commented in the local press that Selwyn had been chosen: for administrative support locallyinnovation and inspiration, which has significantly increased the amount of coaching activity and player participation locally.

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

Article from the local newspaper, reporting on Selwyns award.

Communities @One Broker, Ian Borland worked with AACC:

The volunteers who run AACC give their time to organize everything from training sessions, fixtures, committee meetings and steering groups; as well as to network and develop relationships with organisations and local primary schools on the island. Their dedication to the sport is remarkable. Their business like approach to the running of AACC is reflected in the great results they achieve. AACC do not just teach children the game of cricket, they teach the young members self-reliance and involve them in the running of the club, they are building tomorrows generation, preparing them for their role as the Cricket Coaches of tomorrow and making them better citizens. They

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

are a brilliant example, and deserve to be recognized and encouraged.

Lessons learned and difficulties AACC did encounter a number of hurdles which impacted the speed at which they were able to begin the project. These were often unforeseen difficulties such as delays with equipment arriving, and difficulties with the installation of broadband. The flooding of the ICT suite also impacted on the start of the project, which took some time to repair due to the listed nature of the building and the ownership lying directly with Anglesey Aluminium. One of the key hurdles the project encountered was getting the parents onboard and allow their children to use the photography and filming equipment. Many of the parents were reluctant to give the required permissions to the club. This took time to change, and as more parents saw the impact this equipment had, permissions began to snowball. There are now only a few members who are unable to use the equipment, all members of the under 11 division.

Selwyn Rees, Head Coach for the junior section of the AACC said his tips to other Communities @One projects would be:

1.

There will often be unforeseen difficulties which can impact how quickly you can get your project up and running. When planning your project be realistic with your timeframes.

2.

Plan your paperwork so that you have everything in place, particularly if you work with children, ensuring that you have all the correct permissions necessary.

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre

3.

Things take time to become a success. Dont panic if it takes a little time for your project to find its momentum. If it takes too long, look at your marketing and find other ways to attract beneficiaries to your project.

Next steps AACC are looking at various ways which they can expand and develop their project, through links built with various organisations and institutions across North Wales. Social enterprise is a long term plan and at very early stages of consideration by its volunteers. AACC rely heavily on donations (mainly through the support of the Anglesey Aluminium works itself) and through funding, and benefit from the contacts which the works allows them. The project, through the dedication of its volunteers, players and the support of the steel works, is sustainable, but with the new equipment funded by Communities @One, they are beginning to see the potential for growth and income generation.

Communities @One Case Study Anglesey Aluminium Cricket Club Author Aimee Shanahan, Wales Co-operative Centre