Course summary

This Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Higher Technical Qualification accredited course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. The course is designed to develop highly trained and qualified graduates with the academic knowledge, coaching experience and practical skills to gain rewarding and exciting careers within the cricket industry and is mapped so that graduates will be able to claim HTQHS2025: Sports Coach (High Performance Coach) status. Based around the work of a modern cricket coach, students are encouraged to develop innovative and contemporary ideas which are underpinned by traditional values and practices to advance their own practical abilities throughout their time on the course. It should be noted that it is not a pre-requisite to be a gifted and talented cricketer to succeed on the course. However, it is important to have an enthusiasm for playing, and a strong interest in coaching. Modules focusing on the science of sport are aimed at developing an awareness of the physiological, psychological and biomechanical factors linked to successful performance, whilst further modules cover coaching styles and philosophies, cricket practices, delivery techniques, skill acquisition, and the factors implicated in elite sporting performance. Students will also gain an understanding of sports and event management, marketing, and sport development through the delivery of their own cricket tournament in association with the Lancashire Cricket Board’s (LCB) Education Department. The course also covers the organisation, structure and development of community sports clubs whilst increasing the awareness of talent identification and player development. Students are further encouraged to develop their coaching skills through a peer mentoring programme, as well as engaging with extra-curricular coaching opportunities within local primary and secondary schools (subject to DBS clearance). Opportunities will also be available to achieve recognised qualifications including the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Coach Support Worker and Level II Certificates in Coaching Cricket, and other cricket and coaching related qualifications (at own cost). Utilising the strong links with Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC), the LCB, Cumbria Cricket Board and local cricket clubs and schools, the course focuses on player development within community, club, and high performance environments. Students are offered a range of opportunities to develop their coaching skills and gain vital experience, on and off the field, from organising and delivering competitions to training principles and analysis. The strong vocational ethos of the course encourages students to become proactive in the creation of links with a range of industry contacts and community partners (especially during the Academic and Vocational Skills, Industry Project, and Research Development modules), makes the course an ideal choice for anyone wanting to develop their knowledge of cricket from a vocational perspective. Students have access to regular training by highly qualified and experienced coaches, four individual bay cricket nets, bowling machines, industry standard analysis equipment and a fully equipped fitness suite. The Academy also makes use of the Indoor Cricket School at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers. Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications.