From students to professionals, Blake and Olivia both started their journeys on our Warwickshire County Cricket Club Programme at Edgbaston Stadium. Today, they are proud members of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club team, proving it’s possible to turn your passion into a real career.
Blake Quddus is now 19 and believes his work placement was fundamental to his becoming a paid community coach, as it allowed him to build the connections he needed to progress.
What was your favourite part of the course?
Learning different skills. I got my ECB Level 1 which then helped me to go and do paid coaching. I first started at my club and now that’s helped me progress to where I am now, coaching for the Foundation. I also enjoyed the training, learning new skills and meeting a whole bunch of different people who I’m still in contact with.
How has your college course helped you?
Sandwell helped me with lots of different training and work experience. Without the work experience I wouldn’t have met people such as the coaches that I work with now, so because of those experiences that I did with them, they now know who I am and they helped me to get the job. Also, the main thing was the ECB Level 1, which for our job is the main requirement, and now because of that I am here working at the Foundation.
What’s the biggest skill you learned?
Never give up. My advice would be, just stay consistent, stay on top, and always get to know different people as you never know where it can lead to.
Is it difficult starting out so young?
Definitely it’s an experience thing, so I am still young and when I go into schools there are kids who see me and go ‘oh, he’s young’ so they feel like they can take maybe advantage of you at first, so you’ve always got to have your rules there, and make sure you’re on it, but other than that I’d say it’s a very rewarding job and I think it’s better to do it when you are young because then you have time to learn and get better.
What’s next for you?
I’ve been working for the Foundation since February. I started part time and I’ve been full time since April. At the moment I’m really happy with what I’m doing, working with schools and running summer camps. In the future I’d like to see myself maybe in a managing role or even moving on to do some work with the academy and some hard ball coaching.
Why would you recommend your experience to potential students?
I would recommend Sandwell College and especially this course if you are looking to progress into a career of sports coaching and go into the sports industry. It doesn’t have to be necessarily cricket but if you want to go into something like physiotherapy or coaching, or anything media related, it can also help you to do that as well.
Sum up your Sandwell experience?
Interesting, exciting and full of opportunity!
Olivia Clarke, also 19, says she is so grateful to be where she is now as she never dreamed cricket would lead to such exciting career opportunities.
What was your favourite part of the course?
What I enjoyed most was probably the opportunities and the experience I got. It’s definitely helped with skills and learning, and it’s helped me in the real world with working.
How has your college course helped you?
If it wasn’t for Sandwell I would not be working here. I had applied for a similar job with a different county but that didn’t work well. If it wasn’t for a phone call saying that there’s a job opportunity, then I would never have taken it, so I’m quite grateful that the tutors were able to provide us job opportunities. I’m grateful to be where I am.
What’s the biggest skill you learned?
I’ve definitely learnt to appreciate the game a lot more. There are not as many girls who play cricket where I live, so take as much as you can. Make sure you use every opportunity because if I could go back, I’d make sure I trained every single day, make sure I took all the learning. Obviously, I did to a certain extent, but you will not get much better than this top-class facility. Everyone’s very lucky to be able to get into this college, so definitely make the most of your time here.
What’s next for you?
I’ve completed my Level 1 coaching qualification and will hopefully go on to my Level 2 at the end of the year, and hopefully stay with Warwickshire for a good couple of years and work my way up, and maybe do some academy coaching. Who knows? We’ll see!
Is it difficult starting out so young?
If you told me a year ago that I’d be working with kids and coaching, I’d probably never have believed anyone because that had never really been an interest of mine as such, but now working with kids has really opened my eyes and made me realise how rewarding it actually is, especially when you’re trying to teach someone a new skill. Those who have the patience and time for you to learn it, it does make it all the more worth it. Working with kids from different backgrounds, with different needs, it really does open your eyes to the wider world, so yes, it’s really rewarding.
Why would you recommend your experience to potential students?
I would highly recommend the course if it’s something that you’re thinking about, as I did it through just wanting to try it. I’d never really had any experience with cricket and now I’ve been part of a county and now I work for a county, so yes, it’s given me a great opportunity – lots of open doors.
Sum up your Sandwell experience?
Fun, different and definitely exciting!
Blake and Olivia’s success showcases the impact of industry partnerships, meaningful placements, and skills that go beyond the classroom.
Apply now for our Warwickshire County Cricket Club Programme
