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“Cricket coaching in Melbourne, Australia (2011/2012)”

written by mjteasdale on 11/10/2014

In October 2011 I arrived in Melbourne to begin a 3 month cricket coaching programme. Within a month of my arrival I was to extend my programme to 6 months. I'll admit that writing reviews is not my forte but I've tried to give it some structure all the same.

The Accommodation:
I was in the unusual position of having stayed in both types of accommodation. For the first three months I stayed in the the premium accommodation, a really rather nice serviced apartment shared between up to 6 Sport Lived participants. It has your own washer, dryer, cooker, fridge-freezer, TV etc.
The standard accommodation is one of the best hostels I've stayed in. It was very centrally located in the CBD and provided free breakfast, free meals every Tuesday night, free internet, and in-house travel agency and a whole heap of events to keep you entertained and you get the opportunity to meet a lot of people outside of the Sport Lived program there.

Social Events:
The social events put on by Sport Lived during the programme were varied and introduced you to Australian culture. I feel privileged to have been to a Boxing Day Test (cricket) at the MCG and later an Anzac Day Clash (AFL) at the same venue, filling the months between with the Australian Open and the Australian Grand Prix. Alongside these great sporting events we took surfing lessons and went for BBQs and meals out to catch up with the Sport Lived staff and fellow members of our programme living in the other accommodation.

The Staff:
The UK office staff were always very friendly and helpful when I contacted them whilst booking and then preparing for my programme but I was blown away by the programme coordinators and mentors in Melbourne. If ever there was an issue they were only ever a quick phone-call or email away and would also frequently drop into the accommodations to see how we were all getting on. I received a lot of assistance from the programme coordinator in extending my programme. They guys they have on the ground are a true asset to Sport Lived.

The Sport Stuff:
For the coaching side of my programme I was set up with a grammar school before I even arrived in the country, and whilst I initially feared being out of my depth as a recently qualified coach who had only worked with the junior section of my club, they welcomed all of the Sport Lived particpants into the large coaching staff. Alongside the regular coaching work opportunities also came up for various camps during the Christmas/summer break. These camps were both within Melbourne and in towns across regional Victoria and NSW, and the latter were a holiday in themselves. These camps also employed former Australian international and test cricketers and it was humbling to be working alongside guys who have played their sport at the highest level.
Before I arrived in Melbourne I had also been contacted by a cricket club inquiring if I wanted to play whilst in Australia (a great bit of foresight from the programme coordinator in bringing me to their attention) and so I got to experience club cricket in Australia, which was just brilliant.

I think the best way I could sum this up is that I put off going on a gap year because I didn't know where to begin organising one. As Sport Lived did, and do the vast majority of organising the accommodation and employment, I don't think I would have gone out to Australia had it not been for them, and going to Australia was an incredible experience.