June 6, 2022, by brzbs1
Coach in Focus: Joe Ashdown
To celebrate National Coaching Week (6-12 June), we have spoken to some of our clubs and coaches to find out more about the incredible leaders, teachers and motivators we have as coaches here at the University of Nottingham.
Joe Ashdown is the Head Coach of our Ladies Cricket Club and is currently coaching through the busy summer cricket season. Now in his fourth year as a part of the #GreenandGold, we spoke to Joe and the club on his involvement and leadership of the programme. In a testimonial on behalf of the whole club, President Alice Heap said;
“In his fourth year working with us, Level 3 ECB qualified coach Joe Ashdown has provided invaluable support to our club since his first session, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm and fostering an enjoyable and inclusive atmosphere for experienced and first time cricketers alike. Having experience in both high performance, county board environments alongside his work in local communities, Joe drives forward both the performance and participation sides of our club, overseeing a vast improvement in our BUCS squad which is now a regular challenger for indoor and outdoor titles, while simultaneously aiding our development squad in gaining their first cricketing experiences. His commitment to our club is unmatched and integral to our growth in which this season we have over 60 members, with his infectious love for the game inspiring and motivating us all (even at 10.30 on a Tuesday night!). We are so appreciative of everything Joe has done and continues to do for us and our club, and we are so glad this has given us the opportunity to convey it. From everyone at the UNLCC, thank you Joe!”
We also spoke to Joe and asked him a couple of questions about his time as part of the #GreenandGold so far.
What do you enjoy the most about being a coach?
Being a coach in a team sport like Cricket means I get to interact & share my enthusiasm and passion with others. I love seeing athletes progress their skills, this could be technical, tactical, physical or mental but having the opportunity to play a small part in their development on and off the pitch is always rewarding.
How enjoyable is coaching at the University of Nottingham and are there any standout moments from your experience here?
Some of my standout moments on the pitch are from our consistent Indoor Finals success over the last three seasons, and currently this year sitting top of the league with two games to go having had faultless performances to date. However the biggest standout for me over the last few years is off the pitch: seeing and feeling a real sense of community every time I get the University kit on, from the current athletes but also from the Alumni who regularly support the team. At the start of the year we always welcome plenty of new faces too our taster sessions: some beginners, some experienced, and students get to meet other new faces for the first time. Sport has a magical way of connecting these individuals together for a lifetime and coaching at the university you get to witness these friendships grow, which then continue through their university journeys & beyond. This creates a fantastic environment to coach in and for that I feel very fortunate to be part of the #GreenandGold.
We thank Joe for his continued dedication at the University of Nottingham. You can find out more about the Ladies Cricket Club here.
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