Millfield’s Lead Girls Cricket Coach Dan Helesfay works with Surrey Stars in T20 Super League

17 Nov 2017

Millfield Cricket Coach Dan Helesfay joined the Super League cricket team The Surrey Stars for five weeks during the Kia Super League Tournament in August. Dan spent the period coaching some of the world’s best female cricketers, and hopes to apply his new knowledge and experience to help girls at Millfield achieve similar heights.

The T20 Super League currently consists of 6 regional teams, and was created to bridge the gap between county level and international cricket, bringing together some of the highest domestic standard of cricket within England.

During his time with the Stars, Dan identified the focus placed upon fielding and the quality of basic skills, as well as the responsibility of players maintaining their own game and taking initiative in their training.

Girl’s cricket at Millfield has seen a dramatic rise in popularity over the last decade, with over 70 players and two female squads at U15 and Senior XI level playing 14 fixtures last year against other schools, county and university teams. Millfield currently have two potential female cricket players on the Super League pathway: Upper Sixth pupil Emily Dibble and Year 10 pupil Harriet DimdoreMiles have trialled with the Western franchise of the Super League, Western Storm, and have both been invited to ECB specialist sessions in Loughborough.

Dan Helesfay said: “This experience has enhanced my knowledge and understanding about what ittakes to be a female cricketer in a rapidly growing sport, both nationwide and at Millfield. I hope that what I have learned with the Stars will benefit both the coaching staff and the female cricketplayers at Millfield.”