Middlesex Cricket can today announce that its Disability Coaching team will be restructured ahead of the 2021 season, giving greater coaching support and focus to each of the players within Middlesex’s Disability squads.
Middlesex Cricket will maintain its existing group of coaches who currently work with the Disability squads, although with the club now entering both First and Second Elevens into the D40 National League system, plus continuing to enter one side into the Super 9’s format, this has created additional workloads, roles and responsibilities for the team at large.
Michael Wilson, Middlesex Cricket’s Head of Disability Cricket will take charge of the D40 First Eleven squad as Lead Coach. Alex Hughes will fill the role of Lead Coach for the D40 Second Eleven with Mikey Thompson as Lead Coach for the Super 9’s squad. Both Mark Barrell and Quintin Benningfield will be Assistant Coaches to the Disability squads, with Barrell supporting both the First and Second Eleven D40 squads and Benningfield supporting the D40 Second XI and Super 9’s squads.
Head Coach, Wilson, feels a more focused approach on each of the individual squads and on the players representing the club will prove its worth ahead of what promises to be an exciting season for the club’s Disability players and coaching team:
“Not only have we been extremely fortunate to retain most of our players who have represented us for several years, but we’ve also benefitted from a number of high-quality talented players entering the Middlesex set-up ahead of the 2021 season, which obviously creates a nice problem for us to have as a coaching team, in that we will now have significant competition for places within the squads.”
“The restructuring of the Disability League format and us entering three sides this year dictates that we couldn’t continue to operate under the same system that has served us so well over recent years, which has led to this coaching restructuring ahead of the new season.
“A more focused, squad specific approach allows the coaching team to work much more closely with individual players, providing them with the support and technical advice that they need, which will assist their development and further improve their chances of stepping up to the first eleven if their performances demand it.
“All of the coaches are very optimistic and there is genuine feeling that this could be the best season yet in Middlesex Cricket’s Disability history, with so many of our players playing at high levels in their respective clubs and really working hard on the challenges that have hindered them in the past. The players that have come into the squads have brought a wealth of experience and talent with them, along with some new and exciting younger prospects that adds fantastic strength in depth across the group. Add that to the quality that already exists, and we couldn’t be in better shape.
“As Head Coach I am extremely excited to see so many players working so hard to achieve their own goals whether on or off the pitch and I couldn’t be prouder to say that I get to lead this group of amazing individuals into another season and see more new players making their debuts alongside players who have been with us from the start.”
