The Player Progression Pathway
From initial soft-ball confidence to Hertfordshire County representation and adult league integration.
Choose your child’s pathway(Reception–Y12)
Tap any card below to see the full session structure, coaching focus, and matchplay format for that age group.
Junior Beginners
Foundational Agility, Hand-Eye Coordination & Big Fun
- Fun, high-energy sessions introducing catching, striking & bowling basics.
- Low player-to-coach ratio to build early athletic confidence.
- Played exclusively with safe softballs.
Junior Softball
Core Technical Mechanics & First Matchplay Experience
- Master proper bowling actions, batting stance, and dynamic fielding.
- Incrediball pairs cricket where EVERY child bats, bowls, and fields equally.
- Structured sessions optimized for engagement and skill development.
Hardball Squads
Match Strategy, Net Technique & Herts League Fixtures
- Safe transition to hardball with full protective equipment guidance.
- Technical video analysis, seam/spin mastery, and tactical game awareness.
- Year-round 36-week program with winter nets at Habs Elstree.
- Competitive fixtures in the Hertfordshire Junior Cricket League.
Girls' Academy
Tailored Coaching, Equal Opportunities & Pathways
- Dedicated girls-only training environments and competitive squads.
- Led by top female professional players and ECB master coaches.
- Option to participate in both girls-only and open county league fixtures.
Four Milestones from Foundation to Senior Cricket
Fundamental Athletics & Soft-Ball
Core Focus
Agility, hand-eye coordination, low coach-to-player ratios, and equal-rotation pairs matches.
Equipment Used
Incrediballs, soft-balls, lightweight plastic and wooden bats.
Hard-Ball Transition & Out-is-Out
Core Focus
Introduction to full protective equipment (helmets, pads, gloves), bowling seam alignment, and competitive 20-over fixtures in the Junior Hertfordshire Cricket League.
Equipment Used
Full hard-ball kit, ECB-approved helmets, leather cricket balls.
Tactical Mastery & Performance
Core Focus
Specialized role training (spin/pace bowling, middle-order pacing), video analysis, winter net blocks at Habs Elstree, and Hertfordshire County Age Group (CAG) trial nominations.
Equipment Used
Match-grade leather balls, multi-lane net facilities, bowling machines.
Adult Integration & Academy Elite
Core Focus
Transition into adult Saturday & Sunday league cricket, captaincy mentorship, high-velocity net sessions, and university preparation.
Equipment Used
Match pitches, senior gear, high-performance tracking tools.
The Old Haberdashers Coaching Advantage
Guaranteed Low Ratios
ECB Qualified Standards: capped at 1:8 soft-ball / 1:10 hard-ball, led by Level 2 & 3 coaches ensuring every player receives individual technical attention.
Video Analysis & Technical Tracking
Biomechanical feedback, high-speed motion analysis for bowling seam mechanics and stance alignment, with structured progress tracking across the season.
Hertfordshire County Nominations
Direct club trial nomination pathway for County Age Group (CAG) representative squads, giving talented players a clear route into county cricket and beyond.
World-Class Facilities Year-Round
Primary Training & Match HubHaberdashers' Boys' School Campus, Elstree
Advanced Training Gear & Digital Match Day
Note: Select weekend summer league fixtures and overflow training sessions may also utilize our supplementary ground at Croxdale Road, North West London.
Athletic Literacy & Injury Prevention
Cricket performance requires explosive power, rotational core strength, and shoulder resilience. Through access to campus gymnasiums and indoor sports halls, our Y7–Y12 players undergo structured, age-appropriate S&C routines led by qualified coaches to build athletic foundations and prevent bowling injuries.
Anatomy of an Academy Session
Every academy session is structured into three focused blocks, scaled proportionately for both 90-minute (Foundation) and 120-minute (Hardball/Senior) pathways.
Athletic Foundation
Dynamic mobility, high-speed catching reactions, and throwing mechanics to build the physical base for cricket-specific movement.
Technical & Net Block
Focused multi-lane batting & bowling scenarios with targeted video feedback, seam alignment checks, and individual technique drills.
Match Play Scenarios
Pressure-based game situations, tactical field placements, and target chasing to develop decision-making under match conditions.
90m Foundation vs 120m Senior
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Begin the Pathway?
Register your child for the 2026–27 season and join a structured development programme designed to unlock their full cricketing potential.