Mike Legg - Head Coach
Experienced in coaching, Mike has been involved in local and regional cricket for over 25 years. He plays cricket in the Sussex County League and has previously played League Representative Levels and captained a national company team. He is a hard-hitting, right handed batsman and has scored over 40 centuries helping his teams win many league and cup titles. As Co-Founder of Active Sports Academies, Mike started as a coaching assistant working with young cricketers of all ages he is now an ECB Accredited Club Coach and a member of the ECB Coaches Association. Mike specialises in using video analysis for young batters and bowlers. Working within cricket, Mike has gained valuable cricketing experience in all areas both on and off the field - he has served nine seasons as 1st XI captains for various teams and has gained ECB recognised standards for clubs and also been a club chairman for three years.
Top Score: 187 n.o. Best Bowling: 8-31 Highlights: 5 career hat tricks Favourite Cricketer: Derek Pringle
Martin Barry - Head Coach
Martin is a Co-Founder of Active Sports Academies and has been involved in coaching adults and children over a decade. He is an ECB accredited Club Coach and a member of the ECB Coaches Association. Martin has played for the Sussex County League Representative XI, the East Sussex League Representative XI and the National Civil Service team. He has helped his teams to Sussex County League and Premier East Sussex League title success. He also played against the Lashings World XI in 2007. An opening batsman and wicketkeeper with over 50 centuries to his name, Martin is chiefly responsible for overseeing the development of young wicketkeepers and young batsmen for Active Cricket Coaching. With Sports Science playing an increasingly important role in the development of all cricketers, Martin's Personal Trainer & Sports Nutrition qualifications are becoming more and more relevant in shaping today's modern cricketer.
Top Score: 199 Best Bowling: 6-13 Highlights: Appearing against Lashings World XI Favourite Cricketer: David Gower
Saqlain Mushtaq - Head Coach
We are delighted to welcome Saqlain to our coaching staff. The former Pakistan, Sussex and Surrey off spinner has over 200 international appearances and 500 international wickets to his name. With 10 wickets in a test match three times he is a vastly experienced and recognised name who is fantastic for the children to learn from. A trend-setter. Saqlain Mushtaq was perhaps the first offspinner to master the doosra, a delivery that spins away from the batsman even though it is delivered with an offspinner's action. Saqlain will be appearing at selected camps in 2012.
Top Score: 101 n.o. Best Bowling: 8-64 Highlights: 10 wickets in a match for Pakistan to sneak nerve-tingling 12-run win against India
Hamish Russell - Lead Coach
Former hard hitting right handed batter in the Sussex County League, Hamish is now a vastly experienced international coach, having played and coached in both England and Australia. Hamish has been a lead coach for Active Cricket for three years and is well respected for his knowledge and leadership. He also coaches County juniors and a County league youth team. Hamish is spending winter 2011/12 in Australia gaining more coaching insight and knowledge.
Top Score: 137 Best Bowling: 5-36 Highlights: Assistant Coach with Northern Districts Cricket Club Favourite Cricketer: Allan Border
Ian Cox - Lead Coach
Ian Cox is confident coach and player with a natural ability for passing on his catalogue of skills and experience to junior players. Throughout his career, Ian has been a natural leader and has scored consistently with extensive county and east Sussex league appearances. He has amassed over 130 centuries including 19 at County League 1st team and 33 at East Sussex League level. Other highlights include four double hundreds (top score 237 not out) and representing Sussex 2nd XI in the County Championship. Ian also represented the Sussex league in the NatWest Trophy, as well as England in the indoor form of the game playing in a five test series against Australia in 1991. Ian is currently an ECB Club Coach and also coaches County representatives.
Top Score: 237 n.o. Best Bowling: 8-37 Highlights: Playing in the NatWest Trophy Favourite Cricketer: Ian Botham
Nick Payne - Coach
Nick has been coaching for almost 10 years. He has previously managed both U12 & U13 sides for a Sussex County Premier league team. Nick's playing days are now at an end, but he was formerly a hard hitting top order batsman and useful right arm medium swing bowler with many centuries and 5-wicket hauls to his name. He excelled in the field, especially in the cover point position. He is currently a Level 1 Coaching Assistant.
Top Score: 106 Best Bowling: 7-25 Highlights: Maiden century Favourite Cricketer: Mark Waugh
Dale Bryant - Lead Coach
Dale hails from Australia he is a right handed middle order batsman and medium pace bowler. An experienced cricketer and coach, he has over 100 1st grade cricket matches to his name. Dale has been a leading wicket taker and run scorer for his club in Queensland. His coaching career spans over a decade and Dale is currently a Level 2 Accredited coach with Cricket Australia. He is involved with the Queensland emerging player's programme. Dale is known for his enthusiasm when working with children and will be working with Active Cricket Coaching during the summer of 2012.
Top Score: 189 Best Bowling: 7-23 Highlights: 7-23 in the 2nd innings of a Grand Final to secure the premiership Favourite Cricketer: Sir Vivian Richards
Andy Crouch - Lead Coach
Andy Crouch has spent many years in sports coaching and development as an Army Physical Training Instructor, and more recently as a PE teacher. A level 2 cricket coach and right hand bat has captained in the East Sussex League and played representative cricket for East Sussex over 40s. Andy also has Level 1 & 2 FA certificate for football coaching and has trained and managed successful county league teams and led the Sussex Downs College team to the Sussex League and Cup titles.
Top Score: 113 Best Bowling: 8-109 Highlights: Reached 50 in 27 balls in true Caribbean style Favourite Cricketer: Ian Bell
Nick Taylor - Assistant Coach
Nick is a Level 1 ECB coaching Assistant and Young Leader. He is currently working towards his level 2. Nick is the youngest coach at Active Cricket; his exuberant and exciting approach makes him popular amongst the children. His sessions have a fun and exciting edge to them. As well as climbing the coaching ladder Nick is a developing cricketer in his own right. He is a useful wicket-keeper batsman and is currently playing County league cricket.
Top Score: 161 n.o. Best Bowling: 2-93 Highlights: County league debut Favourite Cricketer: Jonathan Trott
