Junior Cricket

Our youngest children start learning cricket on Saturday mornings in a fun, relaxed setting, where they make friends and develop a love of cricket. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the rest of the family to relax with coffee and a pastry, or pull on a pink shirt and support the coaches.

Many of our teenage players come back to help out.

In addition to training, the children enjoy competitive matches from U9s up to U16s. For those that are keen, this leads naturally to Adult cricket within the club.

 

With over 350 members, cricket for our youngsters is thriving.

Our coaches

  • Oli Thorogood - Head of Girls and Ladies Cricket Development

    After starting my school career playing boys cricket I moved into the Essex Ladies 1st XI at the age of 16, before progressing to Surrey ladies 1st XI where I was lucky enough to play at the Oval and work with some of the best coaches. I was then part of the First Ladies UCCE side at Loughborough, unbeaten throughout my playing career at university and working with Graham Dilley, who instilled some of the best life lessons I have ever learned! I’m very excited to progress my playing career at Audley/Wenden! As a coach I have had experience at Stowe, Brighton College and Shrewsbury School where I progressed my coaching with boys 1st XI teams, before becoming Head of Girls’ Sport at King’s Ely with a dream to ensure that every girl in the school played cricket. This dream came true and we establish hard ball cricket for the girls side within 2 years. I am currently the U13A coach at Felsted prep school, where the girls are unbeaten in both indoor and outdoor cricket over the last 2 seasons. I cannot wait to work with the wonderful girls and ladies at Audley/Wenden and bring my passion for cricket to the club!

  • Kevin Duers - Lead Saturday coach

    Kevin has worked with us for many years and is the backbone of our Saturday mornings. He is a ECB Level 2 Qualified cricket coach with over 20 years experience in coaching a variety of age groups, from under 6 's to over 60s, as well as disabled cricket. He works locally within schools, Saffron Walden Cricket Club and coaching District cricket for Essex.

    Kevin has a wealth of experience being a former Zimbabwe international cricketer, playing in 30 first class matches in a career that spanned over 10 years, capped with 6 appearances at the 1992 World Cup held in Australia.

  • Harry Gilbank

    Harry has been at the club since he was 4 years old. He as played all levels of junior cricket, two seasons for the Mens 2nd XI and last year broke into the Mens 1st XI.

    He has been coaching at the club for the last three years. He is currentliy studing a triple BTEC in Sport and working to studying sports science, physical education and coaching at university.

  • Josh Marsh

    Josh has been playing cricket since the age of 7 at Wenden, and started playing Senior cricket at age 13 with his dad for Audley End CC. So he is now going into his 14th season playing Mens’ cricket with the club!

    He is really looking forward to the upcoming season as a coach and seeing the progression of some of the juniors into senior cricket. Helping them to grow within the club and develop as young adults.

    He is currently an ECB Foundation coach and looking to complete the ECB Core Course before the season starts. He has a passion for giving back and having been on the same journey as some of our players coming through now, sees it as a real privilege to see them develop over the years and through the club.

Our aim is to provide cricket for children of all abilities and to help each child reach their full potential, all in a safe and friendly environment.

Our Heads of Year Coaches

  • Ladies

    Oli Thorogood

  • Pre-school / Reception

    Harry Gilbank

  • Year 1 / Under 6

  • Year 2 / Under 7

    Nick Haisman-Smith & Gavin Collns

  • Year 3 / Under 8

    Ben Cossor

  • Year 4 / Under 9

    Maddy Gilbank

  • Year 5 / Under 10

    John Upton

  • Year 6 / Under 11

    James McCaughran

  • Year 7 / Under 12

    Jamie Woods

  • Year 8 / Under 13

    Mark Follows

  • Year 9 / Under 14

    Rupert Lindsay Clark

  • Year 10 / Under 15

    John Upton

  • Year 11 / Under 16

    Ian Fairall

  • Saturday training

    Saturday mornings are busy down at the club with our youngest cricketers filling the grounds with squeals of laughter as they take part in fun activities. A relaxed, happy atmosphere!

  • Matches

    From U9s our young cricketers gain valuable experience playing competitive league matches against other local clubs. They love the chance to test their skills and be part of a team.

  • Success in leagues

    in 2021, our U13s were Regional Winners and our U10s were joint Regional Winners in the Cambs Youth Association leagues.

  • Winter Nets

    Our older groups have enjoyed a very successful series of winter nets sessions at Dame Bradbury’s School in Saffron Walden. They not only focused on individaul batting and bowling skills, but built on fun fielding and teamwork activities.

  • Individual Lessons

    Although at Wendens we love to foster a great team spirit, there are times when a player benefits from individual attention to work on particular skills. Parents can book one-to-one or small group lessons through the club with one of our experienced coaches to give their youngsters a boost.

  • Friday Night Social

    Following the success of a couple of glorious summer evenings, where children played some form of competitive cricket and families brought along picnics, we have decided to make this a regular thing. Watch this space…

  • Pathway to Adult Cricket

    Our vision is that we provide everything a child needs to grow their love of the game so that they enjoy playing well into their adult lives.

    As they get older and stronger, they will be introduced to more competitive cricket.

    They will then get opportunities to join our Men’s 3rd XIs on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

  • Quality Coaching

    At Wendens we enjoy the benefit of both experienced professional coaches and parents who have completed their ECB Level 1 training. Last season we had so many parents taking the course, that the Essex coaching team came to us! This year we are proud that a number of our parent coaches are taking their Level 2 courses.

  • Teamo app

    We use the teamo app for our communication. Here you can find details of fixtures, message other members and mark your availability.

  • Older groups

    Both U10 and U11 players have a chance to take part in extra training sessions on Monday evenings.

    U12s and U13s have their main training sessions on Mondays.

    U14s train on Tuesday evenings and as their confidence grows become increasingly integrated into adult nets sessions.