Shiplake has appointed top local cricket coach Mr Chris Ellison as its first Director of Cricket.
Mr Ellison has worked with Shiplake as a performance cricket coach since 2005, however this new role will take cricket to the next level at the College with the support and expertise of Mr Paul McCraw, the College’s Head of Cricket, Director of Sport Mr Dan Bradley and Head of Girls’ Sport Miss Chloe Mordue.
Mr Ellison's mantra in his new role will be ‘cricket for all at Shiplake’, ensuring inclusivity and enjoyment for all players from beginners fresh out of primary school in Year 7 with no experience, to talented cricketers looking to move to the next level in the game.
Cricket will be enjoyed all year round with indoor coaching sessions in the winter months, preparing pupils for the summer term.
And with Shiplake going fully co-educational from Year 7 in 2023, Mr Ellison along with Head of Girls’ Sport, Miss Mordue, will be developing the girls’ cricket programme from Year 7 as well as for the Sixth Form girls.
He will also work on a community outreach scheme where he will visit local prep and primary schools to showcase Shiplake Cricket culminating in prep and primary school festivals next summer.
Mr Ellison said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the pupils working hard at their games and enjoying the fruits of this investment next summer with improved performances and winning matches for the College. Shiplake College in the summer months with its amazing facilities is a wonderful environment to deliver a cricket coaching programme in. Personally, I’m delighted to be part of it.
“With this role I’m confident we can help take Shiplake College’s cricket and status to bigger and better things.”
Shiplake’s Head of Cricket, Mr Paul McCraw played for Scotland through the youth levels, and when working overseas played league cricket in Hong Kong and state cricket in Malaysia. More recently he played at Henley CC with Mr Ellison before shifting his focus to running cricket at Shiplake and working with the 1st XI.
Mr McCraw said of the appointment: “Chris is an excellent coach who has played a leading role in the development of cricket here at the College for many years. Having him formally appointed as our Director of Cricket will give him the opportunity to identify talented cricketers at an early age and then support their development through the years. We believe that we have a lot of untapped potential here at the College and that over time we can increase participation in the game, become a leading cricket school and produce more players who go on to play senior and county cricket.”
Director of Sport, Mr Dan Bradley added: “This appointment brings opportunities for pupils to play cricket more often, all year round. Chris is one of the highest level coaches in the area and his expertise will help pupils to further their cricketing ability. I look forward to seeing our teams as strong as ever moving into the summer season as a result of this appointment.”
Cricket has got off to a great start this term with lunchtime sessions for both junior and senior players focusing on perfecting their skills ready for the 2022 cricket season.
About Chris Ellison
Chris grew up playing cricket in Cornwall for St Austell and through the Cornwall Age Group programmes. He made his debut for Cornwall 1st XI at the age of 19. He was then signed by Yorkshire CCC as a left arm spinner and batter, playing for them for three years while studying and playing for Exeter University.
Following university Chris moved to Reading to work for the university and joined Henley CC playing in the Home Counties Premier League winning the title in 2004, 2009 and 2010.
Prior to his children arriving in the world, Chris had several years playing for Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship featuring in the one day side at Lords winning the Knockout Trophy in 2004.
In 2012 and 2013 he captained Finchampstead CC helping the club back into the Home Counties Premier League system. However, the arrival of child number three meant a stepping down from regular playing in 2014.
Chris trained as a Level 4 professional coach with the ECB between 2006 and 2008.
During this time he was involved with coaching programmes for the European Cricket Council, Tutoring Workshops and County Board delivery with Berkshire and took charge of the ECB’s National Physical Disability side from 2010-2014.
With a growing family he then focused his coaching time and energies more locally with schools, clubs and Shiplake College.