Published Wednesday, May 20, 2009
At Somerset County Cricket Club every single individual is involved, whether they are a player or a backroom staff member.
And everybody at the County Ground is buying into the principles and reaping the benefits of the following four concepts – trust, loyalty, discipline and hard work.
At our club we believe that without discipline and hard work we won't reap the enjoyment and benefits that winning matches brings.
That is why at our club there is a real sense of always trying to get better in every facet of not only cricket, but also everyday life.
We believe that consistency, not only on the field but also off it, is a key ingredient to an individual's overall performance.
A healthy diet and understanding of nutrition is equally as important as having throw downs.
We have been fortunate enough to bring in some of the best to teach us how to become better, to become healthier, with regards to our diet and general living.
We were lucky enough to have a seminar with Phil Richards, the famous physical trainer and nutritionist, who taught us the importance of consistent diet and liquid intake.
We have also formed a partnership with Q-Link, a company that provides necklaces and bracelets aimed at calming the body, building antibodies and keeping the body on a consistent level regarding emotions and performances.
Our squad is bigger than most and in my first year at Somerset a lot of players were brought to the club. Building a squad takes time and it is obvious that our squad is maturing. We astutely understand our roles in each format of the game and what we can offer to the squad on and off the field.
A cricket club is like a company. Three years ago we were starting a new company, with a new management and a new squad.
Over the three years since each player has got to understand and work out what every other player is like – what they need to tick, to rest, to have a laugh, or even an arm around the shoulder and a gentle word of encouragement.
Our management has always been honest with us – there aren't any hidden agendas and they really do have the best interests of the club at heart.
Everyone at the club desperately wants to see success and silverware back in Taunton, and our form so far in the Friends Provident Trophy – a competition in which we have a home quarter-final to look forward to on Saturday – really is encouraging because it proves that hard work really does pay off.
