With a membership of around 1,000, and with more than 550 games of cricket played each year, the work needed to run Upminster Cricket Club in the modern era is a huge task. To support this the club is lucky to have 27 volunteers who fulfil 43 positions on the club’s committee and sub-committees.

Spring is obviously a busy time for all of these people, with preparations being made for the season ahead, but during March we have been introducing you to a number of these officers as they explain the roles they play within the club.

Previously we have caught up with six committee members who take on a wide range of roles and tasks within the club. For our final article in this series we caught up with a man who has made a big impression since he joined the club, Scott Simmons:

What's your current role on the committee??
I am the Head Coach

What does the role entail??
I run, plan and organise the whole coaching programme from our youngest juniors (Reception Year) for the boys and girls up to the 1st XI for the men’s and women’s sections.

In short, I ensure the coaching side of the club runs effectively and advise the committee on anything related to training, performance and player development.

You've been at the club a few years now. When did you join and how did that come about??
I joined the club in September 2019 as the Head Coach, and it was all down to fate if I'm honest. I was leading a Level 2 Coaching Course for UCC earlier that year and met Ollie who had massive aspirations for the club, and I could see how big the club was and where he wanted to take it. I was playing for Southend at the time and played against Upminster both home and away where I met with Ollie again as he was my opposing skipper. After the away fixture at Upminster Park, we had a chat about taking the club forward within the junior section and how they wanted a Head Coach to drive that and add real quality and structure - I had to put my hand up and jumped at the opportunity which thankfully the committee agreed to and gave me the role. I can't thank UCC enough. The committee, playing members and parents are so supportive and forward thinking, it really does make it the best place to be able to coach.

You've been involved with cricket and coaching for a long time before joining Upminster. What other clubs and roles have you held??
I have played for a few years, but I don't want to be giving my age away too much!! I joined Rankins CC when I was 12 and I stayed for 20 years and was 1st XI captain for 10. I started my coaching journey there becoming Head Coach and growing the Youth Section from zero to more than 80 kids in just three years with the help of some fantastic people behind the scenes. My passion for coaching grew from there and I threw myself in to it working with the South District and Essex Age Groups which led to a full-time career in coaching. I am very thankful to be doing something I love and working alongside some great people.

We are only a few weeks out from the start of the season. How have pre-season sessions been going with juniors and seniors and what are your hopes for the season??
I say it every year, but how quickly has the winter gone?!?! I think it's due to how much enjoyment we have coaching and working with so many different players, helping them grow and develop as players and people.

Pre-season has gone really well for both the junior and senior sections, the numbers every week have been outstanding and the best it’s been since I've been at the club. Every week they work hard at whatever is thrown at them with 100% commitment and you can see how excited everyone is at this stage to get out on the pitch and show off their skills.

I am really excited to see how we go this year. The juniors are improving every week and with myself, Adam Wheater and Aaron Beard, they are in a really good place to go and execute their skills when the season begins in a few weeks. The adults are looking very good as well, and we have some fantastic players all the way through the teams with the juniors adding to the depth of each team, I feel they will play a big part in the success this summer with the experience of the senior players guiding them through. I can see the 1st XI having a winning year. I don't want to put any pressure on the lads, but with the talent we have along with the team spirit this year, it could and should be where we get back into the Premier League!!

*To see all of our committee members, captains and junior team contacts visit our contacts page