SOMERSET'S programme of cricket coaching education for the winter of 2006/7 is in full swing with courses now running at the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground in Taunton.

The first modules of both a coach' and coach assistant' courses have now been completed and another 44 candidates are beginning their journey towards becoming qualified and working in their clubs to encourage youngsters to improve their game.

Rich Askew, who is the co-ordinator for coach education, said: "With the new system of qualification allowing greater access for both interested parents and committed players there has been a massive increase of interest for the Taunton based courses. Indeed both have been oversubscribed from club nominations alone without the need to advertise their availability."

He added: "We will be running further coach assistant' courses throughout the county after New Year."

Anyone interested should contact Richard Askew at the Centre of Excellence on 01823-352266 or by email on richard@somersetcofe.ndo.co.uk Somerset are currently waiting for the ECB Coaches Association to reveal the syllabus for a conversion course from the old ECB Level One qualification to upgrade to coach' award and will be running these courses next year.

There are some new workshops being developed that will offer extra coaching techniques required when working with bowlers, top order batters, specialist fielders and for team coaches.

Once the county have the details they will then be able to run workshops at various venues as a programme of coach personal development.

In addition there are plans to reintroduce the Somerset Association of Cricket Coaches and the county are currently looking at a conference' style training day in 2007 which will be offered to all qualified coaches within Somerset who are full members of the ECB Coaches Association.

This will feature specialist sessions from those who coach the professional staff and the Academy and will include all aspects of batting and bowling training as well as insights into the use of video analysis, fitness conditioning and how these skills can be introduced into club and youth squads.