Welcome to The Umpire Strikes Back! A focus on fast bowling today and we have assembled an expert panel! Joining us today are;Hampshire legend and now Player Development Manager for Hampshire Academy, James TomlinsonHampshire's 2022 Player of the Year James Fuller Ex-Hampshire and now Dorset bowler Emily RobertsWe talk all things fast bowling including role models, intimidating batters, setting traps, bowling plans and the joy of running in FAST! We also look at coaching fast b...

Welcome to The Umpire Strikes Back! Today the spotlight shines on our upcoming Coach Development programme. You can start or continue your coaching journey in Hampshire this winter. Full course details can be found here. To give more detail we speak to Katie & Ben, two coaches who have taken different routes into coaching but are now working for HCB as Community Coaches. They, alongside our Coach Development Manager John Cook, discuss their cricketing journey, apprehensions before taking ...

Welcome to The Umpire Strikes Back - Episode 45! An international feel today with a look at two European adventures and a request for stories related to Shane Warne. We start by talking to Ali Gajic & Rebecca Blake who have both been playing international cricket in Europe. Ali, who plays for Verwood CC in the Hampshire League, has been playing for Serbia in the European Cricket League and the ICC WT20 Qualifiers in Finland. Rebecca, from Hursley Park, has represented Romania in the recen...

Welcome to Episode 44 of The Umpire Strikes Back! A busy episode this week featuring 3 great topics.First up is a focus on our ever growing W10 Women's Softball cricket. Simon from Overton CC talk us through their venture into the game, setting up a team, benefits to the whole club. Their captain Kitty, talks fun, new friends and challenges!For more information contact michael.pollard@ageasbowl.com I then attended our Hawks Academy game vs ACE Programme at the Ageas Bowl. It was a fantastic d...

Welcome to The Umpire Strikes Back! Two great features today: First up, we speak to the (anoynomous) man behind the newly formed Hants CL Player Loans Twitter account. He aims to bring together clubs looking for extra players and players without a game. The founder talks through the reasons for setting the account up, practicalities of running on Twitter and the future of club cricket. Be great if all our listeners could follow the account;https://twitter.com/HCLPlayerLoansNext, we join Calmo...

Episode 42 - Today we focus on access to cricket within urban communities on the back of the BBC documentary 'Freddies Field of Dreams' which saw cricket opened up to teenagers in Preston. This echoed with lots of current work within Southampton and plans to extend across the rest of Hampshire. We speak to Cantell School Headteacher Harry Kutty. Harry has recently become a non-exec director of Hampshire Cricket, with a remit to focus on communities. Cantell is a diverse and engaging school wi...

Welcome back to the Umpire Strikes Back! Today we delve into cricketing history with Dr Duncan Stone, author of 'Different Class: the untold story of English cricket' We talk class structure, barriers to participation, league vs friendly and the future of cricket in England.Read Duncan's book Next we speak to Melissa Story, Hampshire Cricketer and now commentary star! She talks through her journey from player to BBCTMS commentator, working with heroes, being a role model and the perils of soc...

Happy Cricket Eve! As the recreational season kicks off tomorrow we are back with a feature on Sarisbury Athletic CC. They have increased their community engagement in recent years with clubhouse refurbishment, comedy nights, Hundred game days, charity links and their #opentoall hashtag. Social Sec Mike Poyner talks us through the changes and plans for the season. Runs4research - https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/campaign/runs4research/We then speak to NV Play Commercial Manager Neil Fairb...

A focus on sustainability today as we look at how cricket will cope with environmental, social and financial changes. Firstly, we speak to Ageas Bowl Head Groundsman Simon Lee about the challenges of preparing professional cricket wickets in the ever changing climate plus the move towards green technology. Definitely one for your grounds teams! Then Abi Moore, Ageas Bowl Head of Operations talks about the move towards an Eco strategy to keep the stadium up to date and even more effectiv...

Happy New Year! Welcome back to the Umpire Strikes Back! Today we are delighted to be joined by Hartley Wintney, Hampshire & England Physical Disability (and Love Island!) star Hugo Hammond. Hugo tells us about his whirlwind summer, his journey into D40 cricket in Hampshire, being a role model for the next generation and his plans for the future. For more info on any of our disability programmes please contact;D40 & Super 9s - michael.pollard@ageasbowl.comSuper 1s - hugh.bernard@ageas...

A busy #UmpStrikesBack today as we feature 3 areas of HCB work. Firstly, we speak to Hugh Bernard and Michael Powell about our Lord's Taverners Super 1s programme. Super 1s gives young people with a disability aged 12-25 the chance to play regular, competitive cricket. Hugh and Michael talk accessibility, raising awareness, increasing confidence, employability and role models. Contact hugh.bernard@ageasbowl.com for more information on Super 1s. Simon Jones gives an update on the County Grants...

This week we focus on cricket in urban settings and look at the importance of role models on encouraging Black and African Caribbean children to take up the game. Arthur Godsal (England U19's and South Wilts CC) joins us to talk about his journey through the junior ranks, his thoughts on representation within the game and his work with the ACE programme. He also talks about his recent exploits in Spain with the England XI winning the European Cricket Challenge ft Arthur C & Bowled! ...

Welcome back to The Umpire Strikes Back!! We are back in action after a busy summer and ready for a winter of highlighting the great recreational cricket community in Hampshire. Today we celebrate two special wins! Firstly, Simon Trott of Overton CC who has won the LV-Insurance Pride of Cricket Media Hero Award! Simon has revolutionised the online activity at Overton CC and great for those efforts to get some national recognition. And we speak to Sam Moss and Mark Lavelle from Calmore Sports ...

Welcome to Episode 34 of The Umpire Strikes Back. This week we visited Brockenhurst CC to hear all about their recent transformation. Hon Sec Martin and Committee member Bronya talk through the last few years and offer a wealth of advice to other clubs. We cover the importance of All Stars and Dynamos, starting a Girls' section, introducing a W10 team, new branding to connect with community and hopes for the future. If you would like any more information on any topic covered pl...

Hello! A big focus on money this week as we highlight the numerous funding streams open to clubs this summer. We talk about the Inspired to Play grant, #Funds4runs and the upcoming Welcoming Environments fund More info - https://www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/cricket-board/club-development/funding/June is #WomensBigCricketMonth and we showcase events running throughout the month Register your event - https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/women-and-girls/womens-big-cricket-month We also speak to Chloe fr...

Hello! We are so close to the start of the league season so who better to hear from than the league organisers! Joining us today are;Steve Vear - Southern Premier League ChairGam Gurung - British Gorkhali League Secretary Matt Camp - Hampshire Slam Competition Founder All three discuss the challenges of the past 12 months, plans for this season, the importance of community & bringing youngsters into the adult game. Plus - a reminder to be well behaved this season! ...

With the Specsavers County Championship starting this week who better to speak to than the man set to face the first ball and the coach getting the team ready! Current Hampshire opening batsman Joe Weatherley and former captain Jimmy Adams talk the pressures (and opportunities) of opening the batting, switching between 3 formats, being mentally prepared and hopes for 2021. A fascinating insight into the professional game and a lot of love from Jimmy for Neil Mackenzie! Plus, we...

This week we pay tribute to Rick Kellaway who sadly passed away in January. Rick played a massive part in the Hampshire Disability Programme, providing opportunities for people with disabilities across the county. Rick delivered the schools programme, coordinating activity in over 20 schools and helping to facilitate competitions. Rick also supported the disability county squads, including the softball and D40 Academy teams who played matches against Sunday adult sides across the County....

This week we focus on junior cricket & in particular the ECB National Programmes All Stars and Dynamos. We speak to ECB Head of National Programmes Jason Russell-Jones and Delivery Manager Dan Garbutt, who tell us the national plans for summer 2021. They also remind us of the philosophy of All Stars, the Dynamos link to the Hundred and confirm plans for Activator training. We then hear from Emily Munro, our Schools Engagement Manager and Ryan Beck, Schools Cricket Activator to get the Ham...

February is Learning Month as we try to get #MatchReady21 We are shining a light on all of the online resources available at present ⬇⬇⬇First up, Fiona Newnham (Ventnor CC Scorer & Hampshire ACO tutor) & Sophie Mclelland (Rachel Hayhoe Flint & South Coast panel Umpire) talk us through their careers from the grassroots beginnings to officiating at Lords!They also discuss the challenges of breaking into the first class game, tutoring and being role models for the next generatio...