So, it is possible to make a living off cricket coaching?
Its really what I want to do, my only concern is the income. There is a big market in my city because when I was looking for coaching, there was NOONE in my city doing 1 on 1 lessons that I could find, I had to go to Brisbane.
If you want to divulge in some of your coaching knowledge, Goughy, I would very much appreciate it.
What Im planning for the immediate future is finishing my level 1, asking a mate to be the co coach of his kid's junior team for experience and go from there.
To get into the level 2 course you need a few years experience.
Its certainly possible. Though some regions or towns will have bigger markets than others.
To be a success you will need 4 things,
1) Experience and a good reputation. Turning a few guys from nothing to good players is always a bonus.
2) Good knowledge and able to explain it. This is really the key. To get paid well and keep intergity you have to be good.
3) Promote and back yourself. In my opinion most coaches are pretty poor and almost steal money from employers, clubs and parents. Ive never been afraid to tell people that so and so is a poor coach. Ive also never been shy to talk to that coach and explain why I dont rate them and why I am better. If someone is paying for a service they need to be sure that they are getting a top service.
4) Persepctive. If you market and promote yourself on coaching ability then know your limits. I do team sessions and specialist batting and fast bowling work. I dont deal with spinners very often. There are coaches I respect in that area that I think are more knowledgable than I am and I send guys to them. Same with wicketkeepers. And they do the same to me. Its not about taking all the work ossible but taking the work you can really make a diference on and build a reputation on.
The key is to be good and know you are good and then enjoy helping others. Caring is an important aspect as ego.
Work to get experience and get a reputation.
Get qualifications but dont place any value on them. Best classroom is talking to other coaches and not being afraid to voice your opinion. Sometimes its a terrible opinion but its good to find out why by talking to others that know the game.
Once relaxed and comfortable then a fair bit of money can be made by having a regular income from a club/school/college suplimented by the more lucrative aspect of your own Private coaching school and holiday camps. Its the 1-on-1 that is where the real profit is.
If you are still worried about being able to make an income then all I can say is that I know people that do it and I was one of them.
TBH. It was always the knowledge I could help someone that drove me rather than the money (though you would be a mug not to charge). You should be confident enough in your ability to see a player and if you think you could help them go up to them or their parent and say "so-and-so looks like he has talent and ability but he/she has a few issues I could work on and help them be a better player *give short assessment based on what you have seen*. If you want to make those changes and improve as a player give me a call *hand card*"
Its hard work but being around cricket and helping people means its a pretty cool job.