There is always a buzz in Perth throughout the cricket season.  Cricket is Australia’s national game and with a climate conducive to the game it is at the forefront of everyone's mind.

With touring sides visiting Perth, Pura Cup games and ING day nighters there is always plenty of activity at the WACA.  ACE Cricket Coaching has a high profile in Perth and is often invited to behind the scenes cricket activity. There have been many exciting and often unplanned moments since the Academy began which all leave with us special and awesome memories.

Highlights 2003/4

Highlights from the 2003/4 season would have to include Mathew Hayden record test score 380, the Australia v India one dayer and the Warriors ING Cup Triumph. ACE was invited to observe the private coaching session with the West Coast Eagles AFL team and a 'behind closed doors' fitness session for the Indian Test Team.  We were asked by John Wright, the coach of the Indian Test Team to provide bowlers for the afternoon’s net session prior to them facing Australia in a one day international. One of the Pakistani test bowlers joined our morning nets session at James Oval together with a number of English County cricketers. 

Highlights 2004/5

The 2004/5 season was just a memorable season for our ACE young cricketers. Watching Shoib Akhetar ‘steaming in on a fast, bouncy WACA wicket’ on the first morning of the test match in Perth is the first that comes to mind.  The day nighters and one day internationals are always great occasions, especially for UK visitors.  The balmy evening atmosphere and spectacular contrast between a WACA ground bathed in brilliant flood light to the total darkness up above from the night sky from the top of the grandstand will live in the memory bank for ever.  The first twenty 2o, a total sell out, will long be remembered for a ‘savage’ attack on Shane Warne’s bowling and an atmosphere more suited to a bull ring than a cricket ground.  The club competition in Perth was again fascinating.  The chance to see Test players on the local oval on a Saturday afternoon is always exciting.

From the ACE perspective, a private BBQ with Ricky Ponting and Ian Blackwell at the Thackers Family home gave the ACE Academy lads plenty to write home about!  During the 10 week ACE Adventure programme the nets were frequented by Ian Blackwell, who had a 3 week stint with the ACE coaching team together with James Foster.  During the fitness sessions the ACE Academy lads were joined in the boxing circuits and in the gym by Justin Langer and numerous county cricketers enjoying the benefits of working and playing in Perth during the UK winter.

Highlights 2005/6

The 2006 ACE Adventure brought together lads from the UK, America, Australia and Pakistan.  This gave the programme a real cosmopolitan feel. Perhaps the best aspect was the sharing of different cultures and credit must go to all the 14 lads who made the whole 10 week experience a huge success; with friendships being made for life. All the hard work had definitely paid dividends as the young cricketers respond with positive feedback after the first few weeks of the English season.

Highlights would have to be an afternoon with Shaun Pollock.  Shaun shared his Christian faith with us before giving a classroom ‘master class’ on batting/bowling techniques along with many dressing room stories!  ACE hosted a number of matches against touring teams from UAE.  Tough games against mainly Pakistan opponents ensured that these games would remain in the memory for a long time and proved a marvellous learning experience.

Away from the cricket the ACE lads were welcomed into a closed training session with the Sth Africa Super 14’s Rugby Team ‘The Bulls’ – what an experience -  to see world class athletes train at such close quarters ‘opened eyes’. All in all a super 10 weeks.

Excitement and interest abounds for the next two 06/07 ACE Adventures and that little matter of The Ashes!

Highlights 2006/7

ACE started early for our 2006/7 season thereby setting a precedence for future years. September saw the first of our arrivals and before Christmas we had cricketers from the UK, India and the West Indies.  ACE secured ‘best seats in the house’ at the WACA for the Perth Test.  How can something so painful have been so enjoyable?  The ACE Academy witnessed a thrilling 5 days; cricket at its best.  Gilchrist thrilling 100, Monty and Cookie giving us some hope, the Barmy Army in full voice and weather in December to die for. 

After a busy Christmas period where a number of lads from England ‘popped’ over for a cricket holiday, the 10 week programme began.  Cricketers from England, Scotland and India combined along with hard work, sweat and dedication and many laughs to make the ACE Adventure 2007 a huge success. We had numerous Academy games, some against a Sth African touring side, who were taking part in our ACE on Tour programme.  Adam Gilchrist joined some of our boxing sessions; we shared nets with Middlesex County Cricket Club on their pre-season trip to Perth and spent some time with the England Academy.  Again numerous county cricketers trained with us at Steve Smith’s gym.  As is usual now we also spent time surfing and relaxing on the beach. Congratulations to Chris Sandbach who was with us 2 years ago on making his first class debut; a just reward to lots of hard work. As so the Academy rolls on and already I am excited about working with the young cricketers are already planning us for the 2007/8 season.

Highlights 2007/8

The 2007/08 season followed a similar pattern to last year. An early October start saw some cricketers with us until the end of March 2008. The lads who were here for nearly 6 months developed fantastic relationship with their club sides and team mates; a number of them winning championship medals.

Being at the ACE Academy for the full season enabled them to relax into the lifestyle of being a full time cricketer. All the lads who attended the Academy whether for a period of 6 months or 6 weeks made great improvements both technically and physically. It was one of the hottest summers on record ensuring the lads were stretched physically and needed to become mentally tougher to cope with the heat downunder!

There were times when Australian legends Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist trained with the ACE lads. Damien Martyn and a number of English County players also trained at Aspire Gym alongside the ACE cricketers. How willing would you be to step in the boxing ring with Justin Langer? This was a decision some of the ACE boys had to make; it was an unforgettable experience for those brave enough to take it on!

The ACE Academy had a 'full on' season. Being invited to spend 2 days with the Indian Test Team at the WACA was an experience nobody will ever forget. Netting and chatting with the likes of Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, etc made for a fantastic 2 days.

Some of the lads were invited to practice sessions with the Sri Lankan one day squad; again working with these guys was a fantastic learning experience. At these nets one of the Academy bowlers was ‘spotted’ and invited for trials at Kent CCC. (He has since been offered a 2nd team contract for the season).

Leisure time is important and a handful of Academy cricketers snatched an opportunity for a surfing weekend with a dedicated to coach to enjoy some vital rest and relaxation. With friendships forged through working hard together and have a lot of fun another season fly by.

Looking back on previous Academy cricketers it has been great to see Lucas Carlisle make his first class debut with Durham University; it is good to see a number of former ACE lads play minor counties cricket.