Yorkshire CCC connection provides pathway for Aysgarth School cricketers

Coach James Alderson keen to build on Under 12 County Champion success

You would naturally expect any cricket-focused prep school to establish the fundamental skills as a priority, but Aysgarth School’s head of cricket James Alderson understands the importance of going above and beyond teaching what’s in the textbook.

"Positive cricket is really important," says Alderson. And while he certainly is not talking about adopting 'Bazball' (though he is developing young cricketers who want to try to score a run or take a wicket every ball) he is focused on encouraging the older children to consider tactical awareness and read the game.

"It’s making sure that they've got the right attitude. Playing with grace, making sure that they’re playing in the right spirit of cricket," he says. "That’s a big thing at our school and on our cricket pitches – making sure that the boys are always carrying themselves and representing the school in the best light to set them up, so that when they go to senior schools they can give a good account of themselves."

^{Aysgarth School's Under 12s are Yorkshire County Champsions}

Alderson is ably assisted by ECB Level 4 coach and former England international Paul Grayson, together with a further four Level 2 coaches. 

"We’ve got loads of qualified coaching, and [the boys] are getting coaching non-stop," says Alderson. 

While personal development is key at Aysgarth, it is gratifying when those efforts transfer to on-pitch success. This year saw them clinch the Under 12 Bunbury Cup to become Yorkshire County Champions in July 2023; no mean feat considering the competition is 64 teams strong.

^{The school has formed a pathways relationship with Yorkshire CCC}

"We are absolutely thrilled with this victory," adds Alderson. "Yorkshire has arguably the most competitive standard of school cricket in the country, so succeeding in this competition does not come easily. 

"It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and skill of the team. They have shown exceptional sportsmanship, teamwork, and a relentless drive to succeed."

He adds: "We’ve got 160 kids in our school and a lot of teams we played against have got more than that in a year group, so it was a really massive achievement for us. 

"Eight straight wins meant cup glory and automatic entry to the national rounds the following year.

"But travel is no oddity to many of these boys, as there are annual pre-season tours available (for cricket and other sports alike), with an eye on visiting the kind of secondary schools that Aysgarth alumni are likely to feed into. Previous tours, for example, have taken in the likes of Oundle, Rugby, Sedbergh and Repton.

And with Alderson able to utilise his connections at Yorkshire, Aysgarth is giving its pupils ample opportunity to develop their talents further by forming a pathways relationship with the county. 

"It will be fruitful in the future getting boys on to those courses as they’re going to develop loads more skills," he says.

"It might be the same messages as what we’re giving them at school, but getting it from somebody different can be really beneficial."