Welcome to In Touch Cricket Academy

Matt primarily has a photographic background having worked for the sports photo agency Allsport Photographic from 1984 as a Picture Editor and Library Manager. Within the role Matt was fortunate enough to follow the England Ashes tour of Australia 90/91 and World Cup 1992 in a capacity of picture editor/technician, wiring images back for National newspapers in the UK. With a great passion for cricket this gave Matt working closely alongside England cricketers, an insight into the daily routine of an international cricketer. After various roles within Sales at Getty Images Matt is currently developing and growing the In-Touch Cricket Academy as a ECB Level 3 coach. Matt has played club cricket for Mitcham, Ashford, Reigate Priory, Ashtead and current MCC playing member.

Sam Schofield - Head Academy Coach

Sam is a recent graduate from the University of Worcester, with a 2:1 degree in Sports Coaching with Physical Education. He has 5 years of coaching experience at junior club level, mainly at Sutton CC where he plays his cricket, and has worked for Surrey County Cricket Club on there Chance to Shine scheme coaching cricket in local schools. Sam spent last winter playing and coaching cricket in Melbourne, Australia for a town club and enjoyed the experience greatly. Sam is an ECB Level 3 cricket coach.

Bob has been coaching cricket for more than 10 years now enjoying the journey so much that he is an ECB Level 3 coach, ECB Tutor and Assessor, and now Chairman of the ECB Coaches Association, Surrey. He is currently Head Coach of Chessington Cricket Club, coaching players from juniors through to the First XI which, in 2009, secured its third promotion in 4 years. He has also been involved in coaching Surrey District sides since 2004. Whilst working with players of all ages Bob became increasingly aware of the importance of the psychological aspects of playing and enjoying cricket. He has therefore worked for the last four years training and working as a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), using the skills and techniques to help players enhance their psychological flexibility and skills at the same time as their cricket, specific technical skills. Bob’s coaching philosophy is that the coach is there to create an enjoyable and competitive environment for all players and teams to reach the highest levels of their potential.

Paul Iga - Senior Academy Coach

Paul is an ECB Level 3 coach with over 5 years of experience primarily on Surrey development and district programmes. Additionally Paul coaches both the seniors and juniors at his club Epsom CC plus coaching projects at The Wimbledon Club, Cheam and most recently Old Whitgiftians. Paul has a sporting background as a very good standard Basketball player in addition to playing club cricket. Paul has a coaching philosophy centered on the importance of fundamentals and the role of a coach which is to "paint the picture, provide the tools, to get out the way and oversee".

John is a prolific batsman with over 18,000 1st XI runs scored in the Surrey Championship with Dulwich, Mitcham, Sutton and currentlyPurley. Additionally John has represented Surrey 2^nd XI, the Club Cricket Conference on tours to Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, plus two seasons playing A grade cricket in South Africa / Capetown and two seasons in Australia playing in New South Wales. John is a Senior Cricket Coaching Certificate holder from the previous National Cricket Association however recently attained the ECB Level 3 coach status.

Ben is a high quality keeper / batsman currently on the Middlesex staff, although loaned to Worcestershire for the start of the 2010 season. Having progressed through the Middlesex Colts Age groups with spells at both Middlesex and Surrey, Ben can relate as a coach the qualities and commitment required to make it as a pro cricketer. He claimed his first century against Northamptonshire and made 50 dismissals in 2005, ensuring Middlesex avoided relegation. Ben is believed to be one of the best skilled glovemen known for standing up to the stumps to seam bowlers and innovative batsman winning Twenty20 Cup in 2008 followed up by an appearance in the Stanford Series in the West Indies. Additionally Scott was selected for the England Lions tour of New Zealand in February 2009 and is a great role model to any young cricketer.

Mark Cody - Senior Academy Coach

An ex semi-pro footballer Mark has transitioned his skills from Football to Cricket while following his son Connor who is part of a Surrey age group squad. Having spent four years coaching at Outwood CC in Surrey Mark gained his UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification and is also an ABSAT qualified bowling coach. Mark spent last summer gaining valuable experience coaching for Surrey on their ‘Chance to Shine’ project and has a great rapport with the young kids. Mark is constantly aiming to improve his coaching skills by working with other coaches and feels that his involvement with the In-Touch Cricket Academy is an exciting prospect.

Neil is the Head of Performance Cricket at Whitgift School and is currently on the prestigious ECB Level 4 programme. Having spent 10 years on the playing staff at Surrey as a left arm spinner Neil made his 1st class debut in 1988 and in 1993 took a career best 7-115 against Nottinghamshire at the Oval. Additionally Neil spent his last seasons as a pro cricketer at Glamorgan. As a specialist spin coach Neil works with players at an elite level for both the ECB and Surrey so excitingly the In-Touch Academy players will have exsposure working with a high quality coach.

Alex was one of the most intimidating English fast bowlers of his generation and led a long and successful career for Surrey, Essex and England after making his first class debut at Lords in 1995. After success with England u19 Alex made his full Test debut at the WACA on the 1998/99 Ashes tour dismissing both Waugh brothers in his first match. Whilst he is best known as a fast bowler his career defining performance came the following year as he scored a brilliant 99 against New Zealand at Edgbaston. Alex played in two more Ashes series and took a memorable 5/44 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2001. Alex now works as PCA Ambassador combined with a coaching career and will run specialist sessions for In-Touch Cricket.

Gareth graduated from Southbank University with a BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Science in 2001. During his studies he worked as a fitness consultant for YMCA and Holmes Place Health Clubs. Upon graduation Gareth went to work in the USA as Director of Soccer Camps for Challenger Sports having responsibility for the running of camps across nine states of America. Upon his return Gareth worked at David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club as an Advanced Level 3 Personal Trainer and began to specialize in the area of sport specific strength and conditioning working with several semi professional football clubs as well as many professional players on a one to one basis. In 2005 Gareth went to work as a sport scientist for Charlton Athletic football club working with mainly U16 players many of which are playing Premier League today. In 2008 Gareth began working for Chelsea Football Club with responsibility for strength and conditioning for ladies academy, reserves and 1st teams. Such a role has brought success to the club with the academy being National Champions in 2010, the reserves League Champions in 2011 and the 1st team part of the Women’s Super League. Gareth is highly qualified with UKSCA Accreditation / FA Fitness Trainers Award / Register of Exercise Professionals Adv L3.

Kieron Vorster - Strength and Conditioning Consultant

Kieron has a background in Tennis where he was most recently the CEO for The David Lloyd Tennis Academy where his roles include the structure/strategy for the Academy, recruitment of the best coaches in Tennis, running of the day to day operation and management of staff within the Academy. An ex Tennis professional Kieron is a highly qualified strength and conditioning coach (Registry of Exercise Professionals Advanced Instructor Level 3) who has previously worked as a personal fitness coach for both Tim Henman and Wayne Ferreira, as well as a stint as the Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Lawn Tennis Association. Kieron is a UKCC Level 2 cricket qualified coach and currently working in Doha for the Qatar Tennis Federation.

Alex has vast experience in a variety of sports including playing Rugby for Surrey and South of England in Rugby League. In 2003 he started training in Japanese Ju-Jitsu and competing in western kickboxing. Alex qualified as a gym instructor in 2005 and after travelling to Thailand and China to further martial arts went on to atain qualifications as an advanced level 3 personal trainer and is currently studying for the Level 3 UKSCA qualification. Currently Alex works as a full time personal trainer and mix of athletes including triathletes. Alex is delivering the S&C programme to the u14 and u16 In-Touch elite squads alongside Gareth Davies.

Rob Wint - Academy Coach

Rob works as a marketing director for a leading technology company, and has been involved in cricket from a very young age. Originally playing for Southwell CC in Nottinghamshire, finishing with two finals at Trent Bridge before moving to London. Through playing at NatWest and Banstead in the Surrey Championship over many years, Rob now plays at Ashtead CC and is heavily involved with Coaching the junior section. Rob qualified as a UKCC Level 2 Cricket Coach in 2005 and enjoys passing knowledge on and improving young cricketers within the In-Touch Cricket Academy. Additionally Rob is currently undertaking the UKCC3 Level 3 qualification.

Graham Foster - Assistant Coach

The elder statesman of the In-Touch Coaching team Graham comes from career as an Administator and Sales Rep, within the building industry. Graham's early experiences of cricket was to visit to the Oval to watch the likes of Surrey greats Surridge, May, Lock & Laker etc. An allrounder in a playing capacity Graham played for the Adventurers wandering side, who's President was Alf Gover. He is a great believer in upholding the strong traditions and spirit of the game. In 1973 he lived a cricketing dream representing the Affiliated Clubs XI versus the Cricket Conference London XI at the Oval. In recent years Graham's passion for the game has been re-stimulated through his two grandson's involvement in the game and has supported the In-Touch Coaching programme ever since where he has also gained the UKCC1 qualification. The Academy currently utilises Graham's vast experiences in life and cricket to help nurture young cricketers.

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