Not
an easy inarch to the First Eleven
This is based purely
on my personal opinion, according to my observation as a parent
and as a coach.
Playing for the Royal-Thomian
(Big Match) is the final lap of your school cricketing career. I
would like to touch on the build up process. One cannot
suddenly reach the grade without ascending step by step.
Starting with the
under Ten age group (this tends to change) The Lower school
students that belong to this group are very keen and
enthusiastic. They come with kit bags as big as themselves to
learn the rudiment of cricket. Attendance at practice are in
hundreds. The Boys are very keen, but keener are the parents
obviously hoping that the son might play for the Royal - Thomian
(Big Match) in time to come.
Most of the parents
keep watching the children at practice. Some are past cricketers
of yester year not too happy with the mode of coaching. Some
parents are constantly contacting the coaches to find out the
progress of their children. All these take place at the early
stage of practice. After about two full terms if the son has not
made progress, agony befalls the parents. The talented player by
now would have shown his ability, but the other hand even though
the father had been a cricketer, if the son has not developed
enough to make the grade, the coach has to meet the brunt of it.
In a couple of years
the boys will be either under twelve or thirteen. The more
sensible parents by now have made the correct and right decision
to find an alternative sport having consulted the coach. Hence
there is a sudden drop of numbers from the hundreds to the
region of sixties. During this period the talent of a boy is
very evident. The competition now begins. The hopes and
aspiration of parents are very high as the players move on to
the next age group, under fifteen or sixteen. According to me
this is the most important age group. The players mature.
Gradually a mixed feeling among the players tend to prevail.
Friendship among some becomes stronger while others are subject
to harassing and bullying. The
intention and the
motive behind this is to discourage some of the promising
players in order to accommodate their friends in the team.
Eventually one who can withstand all this, will march forward.
By now the players
have climbed more than half of the ladder. Both parents and
children begin to realize that they are going into the senior
age group at which point the Ordinary Level Examination work
intervene, preventing the players from attending regular
practices. The talented students continue to attend practices
and this is the time the coaches begin to experience a tough
time. The turn out at practice is around twenty five.
This is also the time
that the anxiety of the parents begin to rise. They are all
agog, (whether my son will find a place if a good cricketer from
another school is admitted).
Currently there are
about twenty two matches held prior to the big match, by which
time eight or nine players would have qualified for selection
may be in the capacity as an all rounder or depending on their
performance either as a batsman or a bowler. The parent's hopes
are high ! The confidence of the players rise. But what will
happen if you don't get selected to play the 'Big Match'? The
mental depression of a player is tremendous, with all hopes
shuttered and sunk and the years wasted. This is where the
parents begin to be disgusted and some unruly. This is a very
important and a very crucial period for any player aspiring to
play in the Royal Thomian.
One thing is certain
that the parents should not really worry. S. Thomas' has always
provided an all round education. There is a feeling of
acceptance wherever she goes and whatever spear of work she
undertakes to do.
Esto Perpetua !
J.B.
