CRICKET COACHING
Mike Hill
U15s
Mike Hill joined WRCC in 2002 as a player and started coaching in 2004 when his son joined the u11s. He is a Level 2 coach and has done additional courses, including wicket-keeping, playing spin, and video analysis. He coached his son’s age group up to u18, then started again! In 2023 he will be coaching the u15s. Mike is also the coach of Manchester District u11s and u13s, a qualified umpire, and South Manchester Junior Cricket League secretary.
Matt Palmer
Juniors Coach and Safeguarding Officer
Matt began volunteering at the club 6 years ago and soon got involved with All Stars cricket. Since then he has become a qualified Level 2 cricket coach and has coached cup winning U11s, league winning U13s, as well as U15s squads. Matt’s coaching focus is now on our growing Gryphons Girls squad where he hopes to establish a full women and girls team at the club in the coming years.
Azfar Zeeshan
U18s
Azfar is a current Whalley Range Cricketer, U18s coach, 2nd team captain and 1st team all-rounder. Azfar grew up playing many sports but later found a profound love for Cricket and Tennis. Led his college & university teams in both sports and now captains senior Saturday team. Been an active part of the Whalley Range Cricket & Tennis sections since 2008 and Junior Cricket Coach since 2015.
Rob South
U13s
Having not played much cricket since school, it has been great getting back into the sport through coaching at WRCC. I completed my ECB foundation-level coaching course in 2021 and have coached the U9s, U10s and U11s. It’s been great fun helping the juniors of all standards develop and grow to love the game. I embrace the chance to point juniors towards a lifelong journey of cricket. Making coaching sessions varied, fun and skill-based is what I’ve been aiming for. Focussing on fielding skills is something I particularly enjoy. Saving runs helps to win tonnes!
Ben
U11s
Ben has been playing for Whalley Range since 2010, and have played for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, midweek T20, and Development XI teams and has also captained most of these teams. Ben has been a coach since All Stars was first launched in 2017, then completing the ECB Foundation coaching course in 2019 and the ECB Core coaching course in 2022. Ben currently coaches the U11s, but helps out with all age ranges
Chris Grave
U10s
Originally from the Wirral, Chris has lived in Manchester for the past 20+ years. Chris is an U10s Coach, Level 1 qualified after a year coaching the U9s in 2022. Chris has played 1XI & 2XI cricket in the Cheshire County Cricket League in the past and has two sons currently playing at Whalley Range, one for the U10s and one for the U15s.
Muhammad Irfan Javed
U9s
Irfan is a level 2 ECB qualified coach and has been part of Whalley Range Cricket Club since 2003. He joined the coaching team in 2012 as an assistant coach and over the years has been part of All Stars, Dynamos and assisted in other junior teams. Currently, Irfan coaches the U9s team and captains one of the Sunday teams.
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Edward Speed
U15s
Ed joined the coaching team in 2021 and is enjoying the experience. Ed has supported with the U15s and captained the Development XI where some of the juniors ready for senior cricket are given their first opportunities. Personally for Ed, it's great to see the progression of some of the players from junior to senior cricket. Ed has a passion for all elements of cricket but is especially enthused by spin bowling!
Ed Caesar
U10s and U11s
I'm the father of two junior players at the club, an occasional player for the most social WRCC teams, and a very useful person when it comes to wheeling the covers on and off. I help to coach the Under 11s and Under 10s, which is huge fun.