Our ethos
Our ethos is quite simple:
We want as many kids to experience cricket as possible and, ultimately, go on play cricket as adults.
In between, that means we have to develop a culture of excellence in building participation………..
Who we are
Our head coach is Peter Cavender, an ECB level 3 perfomance coach
Now in to his 24th year as a qualified coach, Peter has coached cricketers from ages 4 to 74.
As head coach at Staplehurst since 2003, he has seen many children through the junior section on to playing in the senior sides, some with representative honours.
He was Kent Cricket’s coach of the year in 2014 and a runner-up in that year’s ECB national coaching awards.
Career highlights so far are taking the Kent County Girls U13 side to two national one day finals finishing runner-up in both.
Cav – as he is more familiarly known – played cricket from the age of 9, representing Kent Schools at U11 and U13, before captaining Maidstone Grammar School 1st XI and Addington Village 1st XI. Having hanged up his playing boots three years ago, he now focuses on giving others the benefit of his knowledge and experience.
John Swannick is an ECB Level 2 coach and ECB coaching ambassador
Although only receiving his Level 2 award after 10 years trying to complete the course due to work commitments, he actually started his coaching career as a student in 1983 managing Bear Flat juniors in Bath on the strength of a National Cricket Association certificate achieved while playing at Birmingham Premier League club, Wolverhampton CC.
As Bear Flat coach he was umpiring and scoring in their first ever U11 game against Keynsham when the Keynsham opening bats rattled up a dispiriting 100 run partnership and both retired with maiden 50s, one of them being the 9-year-old Marcus Trescothick.
He disputes claims that his 2019 Kent Cricket “Outstanding Contribution” coaching award was recognition of his tenacity and longevity.
“Age is just a number”
John Swannick
Connor Knapp is an ECB Level 2 coach
Connor confesses to coming to sports late and joined Staplehurst aged 12. Despite that, his love of cricket soon developed and that passion helped him rise through the ranks of juniors and, at 16, into open-age cricket.
He didn’t need much persuasion to sign up for a Coach Support Worker course at the Club. He was part of the inaugural launch of All Stars Cricket. That progression saw him qualify as a Level 2 coach in 2018.
Connor is the youngest and least experienced member but brings a youthful, enthusiastic approach and a ‘can do’ attitude to the Weald Coaching team. He has a passion for imparting knowledge to young players and seeing them grow into cricketers.
And as a qualified accountant he also brings much needed financial nous to the venture!
Aaron Davey is an ECB Level 2 coach.
Began coaching in his teens at sports camps and at Staplehurst Cricket & Tennis Club, having played there since age 8. Now 36, Aaron is an experienced PE teacher and coach of hockey and cricket.
He grew up with sport in his blood. Both parents were PE teachers and he was encouraged to participate in all varieties of sport.
“Some might say that’s why I am a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ (as a performer anyway)”.
Aaron Davey
Through his love of sport, Aaron has spent the last 20 years imparting knowledge and encouraging youngsters to find their love for sport by delivering fun lessons in his day job and exciting coaching sessions at the various venues he coaches.
“Thanks very much Aaron”
Shane Warne
Our policies
