Oldham Cricket Club

Charlie's Fitness Regime
By Mark Charlton

What's up lovely boys? Hope things are well.

At the end of last season I had a meeting with Jay, Taylor, Eddie and various other people in the club. During the meeting we discussed certain aspects of the season and the team. We spoke about the team's successes and the team's failings. We came to the conclusion that the failures of last season were partly due to three factors. Failures that are easily corrected and will be in pre-season!

• General Fitness
• Flexibility
• Strength

Fitness

Flexibility

Strength

I'm not going into too much detail about all of the above. You know yourself where last seasons failings lay. The above are physical, but mentally we were a shambles for most games. I know we are not professionals, but when we arrive at the game we need to become far more professional about our approach to the game. Without losing the fun and team spirit we have, we need to take it far more disciplined approach than this year. Discipline will become a major influence on the team structure next year. We will all respect each other as we already do, we will pay fines, we will turn up on time or face the consequence of a fine, and we will train twice a week (properly). Next season will be a far tighter ship. All this is necessary to prevent the embarrassment we had this year.

I have designed a programme to remedy all three of the problems I listed above. The programme is attached to this letter. Guys, you need to stick to this programme (discipline) as much as possible. The ones who do and the ones who don't will be very obvious come the start of next season. I'm really keen to do well this season. I think we all felt how good it was to win games this season and I want to repeat this, again and again. Wouldn't you?

The programme is only 3 weeks, as I don't believe in long drawn out training, lets do what we do well. Quality rather than quantity. And then continue the good habits into the season and incorporate it into our weekly sessions.

This is the first step towards a winning season. Do it for the other boys in the team, we need this…cheers poeses ooh ah stick it in your grandma!

Charlie (Samprass)

This takes us to within 3 weeks of the start of the season. Hopefully I will arrive this week. I want to make sure everything is going well and really have time before the 'Big Day' to get things right.

All the above needs the co-operation of all squad members for it to be successful. Those who have clearly not done the above will have extra work when I arrive, to get to the same level as the rest. If you can do the above on your own, great. If not, it would be a good idea for 2 or 3 of you to group off and do it together to stay motivated.

I want you guys to stay in contact over the winter. Have a few drinks together every so often. Have a meal. Go to BINGO!! Lets be working as one by next year. Things will happen and other teams will sit up and take notice of the hard work. Lets take it to them next year and make things happen.

One area of the professional game we are looking to bring in next year is a squad system. We will have a 1st team squad of around 15 players. This nucleus of players will be the core of the 1st team selections. These will be the best 15 players at the club with the addition of one or two younger players who will be included to 'bring on' but not necessarily play in the 1st team. This squad will train together and fight for a place in the 1st team. Those who do not make the 1st team selection will drop to the seconds where they will work hard and fight for selection the next week.

This squad is not exclusive to those who are selected at the start of the season. Performances will hopefully push other players into the squad and make competition for all. This system will be explained more next year, when the squad will be announced.

For now that is all. Enjoy the winter, it is poes hot here.

Charlie