At Under 8, in addition to weekly training, this is the 1st year of league cricket and the boys are introduced to competitive matchplay.
All players train and play with a soft ball. As the season progresses, some players start to train with a hard ball.
Coaching programmes continue to develop sound cricket techniques. There is increased attention on developing match awareness. Sessions are designed and plenty of matches are organised with both these in mind (see the player pathway below). It’s a busy and fun age group. There are around 50 young cricketers who enjoying learning and playing.
Training is on Sunday Mornings: from 21st April 2024 from 10am until 11.45am, for 15 weeks at our main ground (New Road). All training is included in membership and delivered by our professional coaches.
All players have opportunity to play plenty of matches: on well kept grass wickets. Matches will be played mainly on Saturdays, but also some midweek evenings. All matches are 8 a side softball pairs cricket, This allows all players plenty of opportunity to develop batting, bowling and game awareness.
For the 2024 season, we have entered 6 teams in the Surrey Junior Cricket Championship Leagues.
Match playing Kit: no specialist cricket equipment is required but we suggest that players have their own bats. For matchplay we play in the Esher Navy Blue Playing Shirt and Navy trousers. Kit is available to purchase from the club kit shop and is supplied by Masuri. For the shirt, numbers are allowed on the back, but no names please. https://eshercc.co.uk/kit/
Training and Matchplay Focus – U8 Player Pathway
| – Shot Selection – Gaining an understanding of what shots to play for which ball deliverd |
| – Introducing running between the wickets, calling & turning proceedures & running the bat in |
| – Judging run taking, identfing balls to score from and balls to defend |
| – Setting & chasing run targets |
| – As always, continue to develop good batting technique |
| – Intoduce the different styles of bowling, seam, swing & spin |
| – Increase run ups and follow throughs |
| – Further develop stronger bowling actions |
| – Introduce fielding based match awareness sessions |
There is also indoor winter nets coaching available for this age group starting from January 2024.
Age Group Managers: Head of boys cricket: Mark Hopkinson
If you are interested in joining us, please initially contact Mark by clicking on the email above.
Please see below for our 2022 Season Report