Page 16 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

COLLEGE NEWS RATCLIFFE COLLEGE & LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY

CRICKET PARTNERSHIP

As we looked for
As we looked forward to entering the second year of our partnership with Leicestershire ward to entering the second year of our partnership with Leicestershire
County Cricket Club (L
County Cricket Club (LCCC), the country went into lockdown, and it appeared that the CCC), the country went into lockdown, and it appeared that the
opportunity to support cricket matches at grassroots level would not be possible. Preceding tunity to support cricket matches at grassroots level would not be possible. Preceding
oppor
this, L
this, Leicestershire players and coaches had trained weekly on site, either in the Senior School eicestershire players and coaches had trained weekly on site, either in the Senior School
Sports Centre or the new Sports Centre adjacent to the Preparatory School, providing an ts Centre or the new Sports Centre adjacent to the Preparatory School, providing an
Spor
ideal opportunity for parents to spectate and experience Ratcliffe’s excellent new facility.
The LCCC coaches also supported Ratcliffe’s after-school cricket squad training, leading
sessions in the Preparatory School.
The strength of our partnership with LCCC resulted in the sharing of training material
with our PE Department, to support the development of our students’ cricketing ability.
Jigar Naik, Lead Spin Bowling Coach and Pathways Performance Coach, provided LCCC resources,
including video masterclasses, strength and conditioning programmes to use at home, and metabolic
conditioning sessions. A number of school staff members attended the Leicestershire coaching
workshops, with sessions covering wicket-keeping, fi tness, batting, pace bowling, and spin bowling,
delivered by a variety of Leicestershire coaches, including Jigar and Head Coach Paul Nixon. These
provided excellent opportunities for our PE teachers to develop their professional skills.

To give young Foxes fans the opportunity to get involved in a fun activity during the COVID-19
pandemic, the club launched a t-shirt design competition to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
Ratcliffe student Evie Ashford (pictured, right) was the winner of the competition, and she saw
her design made into a t-shirt (below, right). The proceeds from its sales were all donated to
the NHS charity.
As the government and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) guidelines changed,
Ratcliffe was able to support LCCC by hosting training and match-play situations during
July and August. The College grounds were an excellent setting for this return to cricket, and
thanks must go to our Grounds Team, led by Chris Moody, for facilitating this opportunity. The
new LCCC CEO, Sean Jarvis, thanked Ratcliffe for going above and beyond, in very diffi cult
circumstances, to ensure that the Leicestershire Young Cricketers could start playing cricket
again as soon as the ECB gave them the go-ahead.
THE LCCC FOUNDATION APPEAL

LCCC have launched their new Foundation Appeal, which will support Alex’s Wish, Healing Little Hearts, the LCCC Academy, and local
grassroots cricket clubs. The fi rst fundraising initiative, ‘A Century A Day’, involves running, cycling, or walking a minimum of one mile
per day during November, in order to raise much-needed funds. Mr Woodcock, Mr Willcock, Mr Gilchrist, Miss Wilden, Miss Ridley, Mrs
Davison, and myself have all taken part. If you would like to support this, or any future fundraising events for the LCCC Foundation,
please contact me at tnightingale@ratcliffecollege.com.
When lockdown ends in December, we are looking forward to welcoming LCCC back to Ratcliffe, as they begin their fi tness and
pre-season training. If you would like any further information about Ratcliffe’s partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club,
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tracey Nightingale
Cricket Partnership Manager

16 The Old Ratcliffi an 2020