From Lord’s to coach of Norway cricket side for teacher Richard Skyrme (From Hereford Times)

From Lord’s to coach of Norway cricket side for teacher Richard Skyrme

12:50pm Sunday 29th January 2012 in Cricket By Richard Prime

AS a cricketer, Richard Skyrme played alongside, and led, the best Herefordshire could muster as captain of the Minor Counties side.

But now, the Hereford Cathedral School director of sport has been playing his part in taking the game to a wider European base.

Skyrme, a level three coach, has been assisting with coach development over several years in several European countries.

His travels have taken him on a regular basis over the last 12 years to Germany and Belgium, but he also worked in France, Holland and Switzerland, too, as well as being coach to the Norway national side in the last European championships.

“Cricket is, of course, very much a minority sport in Europe,” said Skyrme.

“They have had a lot of ex-pats to form the base but now the countries are starting to have to restrict their national sides very much in line with the way the Test nations have to.

“The Germany side, for example, has two born-and-bred German lads who picked up the game at school and have gone on to the national team.”

The trips have sometimes ended at some very odd venues.

“I did one session in the town hall at Grasse, in the hills above Nice,” he recalled.

“And one of the trips, to take a level one group in Ankara in Turkey actually involved more time in the air than it did in actually teaching the group.”

Skyrme’s overseas coaching has to be fitted in around his job and acknowledges the support he has had from his employers. “It tends to be now three trips a year, mostly to Germany, and I try to arrange those during holidays and half-terms,” he said.

“But the headmaster and the school have been great in allowing me time to go.”

One of the many roles Skyrme’s job at Hereford Cathedral School requires him to perform is as the organiser of the Marches Sevens rugby competition, now one of the most highly regarded of its type in the country.

This year’s competition takes place on February 26 and, for the first time in its 36-year history, has a change of format.

“We have added an extra pitch and there are eight more teams involved this year, making a total of 32,” said Skyrme.

“This will give eight groups of four with the winners of each group progressing in the cup, the runners-up in the vase and the third-placed team in the plate.

“This year, we have Denstone College, Malvern College, Warwick and Colston’s School all sending sides for the first time.

“And the quality of the field is underlined by the fact that Millfield, who have sent their ‘B’ team for several years, are sending their ‘A’ squad instead this time.

“I’m really excited by this year’s tournament and although the fact that there are more teams involved this year means that the organisation has to start earlier, it is worthwhile because it is a prestigious tournament and brings considerable kudos to the school.”

The competition has, over the years, seen well over a dozen players turning out who have then gone on to play at full international level and scores who have played the game at first-class level.

This year will probably be no exception with at least one of those taking part going on to grace the game at the highest level.

“For the tournament programme, I have asked all the competing schools to name their ‘one to watch,” said Skyrme.

“It will be interesting to follow their progress and see who goes on to make it to the top.”