Scott Simmons

Cricket Programme Director

Scott is a Level 3 qualified coach with a reputation as one of the most dynamic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic coaches in Essex and beyond. With over 20 years coaching experience Scott is well versed in a wide array of coaching techniques and experienced in working with players of all levels.

As an ECB Coach Educator and Assessor with Essex CCC Scott remains an integral part of the Essex Tutoring Team, leading on all ECB courses within Essex. He is perfectly placed to create our dynamic cricket programme for participants of all abilities.

Scott will be a mainstay at our group sessions, and is also available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching. He is a great and committed coach to players of all ages and abilities, and particularly to those who want a foundation in the core principles of the game.

Club Cricket: Rettendon CC, Rankins CC, Southend-on-Sea CC, Upminster CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Seam Bowling, Spin Bowling

Adam Wheater

Head Coach

Adam is a wonderfully talented cricketer, playing his 13th season as a county level professional wicketkeeper/batsman for both Essex and Hampshire, after achieving international honours with England U19’s. He now has two County Championships to his name, as well as the T20 Blast Trophy.

Such knowledge and experience is invaluable for all students of the game at any age, and bringing this knowhow, as well as his boundless cricket knowledge from 350 professional games makes him a truly inspiring head coach at Club Cricket Academy.

Adam will be leading a number of our group classes, masterclasses and is available for 1 to 1 and small group sessions.

Club Cricket: Woodford Wells CC, Saffron Walden CC, Frinton-on-Sea CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Wicket-Keeping

Suminda Balage Don

Suminda brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience with him to the Club Cricket Academy. Having played club cricket at the highest levels for a number of clubs in the South East of England, including 2017 National Club Champions Wanstead & Snaresbrook, he has in recent years forged an excellent reputation for his coaching skills.

As an ECB Level 3 Coach Suminda’s qualities are unquestioned, and he has acquired excellent experience working as a community coach for Essex County Cricket Club and as lead coach for the Metropolitan Essex Cricket Board. In recent times he has further enhanced his repertoire, coaching at many well-known clubs in the Essex and East London area.

Suminda plays a pivotal role in our group sessions and is also available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC, Old Wilsonians CC, South Woodford CC, Ilford CC, Aztecs CC and Finchley CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Seam Bowling, Fielding

Billy Gordon

Billy is renowned as one of the top club cricketers in Essex and is now forging an excellent reputation as a coach as well.

Billy started his cricketing journey taking part in Hornchurch CC’s “Cricket For All” programme and progressed quickly through the senior sides to play in the 1st XI whilst still a teenager. After a brief spell at Upminster CC, he returned to Hornchurch as captain, showing great motivational and tactical skills to lead his side to a number of successes, including an unprecedented Essex League treble in 2018.

In recent years, Billy has been enhancing his coaching credentials by leading both group and 1 to 1 sessions with youngsters at his hometown club. His vast experience of high-level club cricket, as well as his calm and measured approach to coaching, make him an ideal teacher for students of all ages and a role model to young cricketers.

Billy will be making regular coaching appearances at the Club Cricket Academy and is also available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Upminster CC, Hornchurch CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Bowling, Batting, Captaincy

Shane Snater

Shane’s playing career is a great example to all aspiring young cricketers looking to improve and develop their games.

Having made his debut for the Netherlands in 2016, it was through continued hard work and perseverance that Shane was signed by Essex CCC in 2018 on the back of a number of highly impressive performances for Ilford Cricket Club. Since then he has continued to develop his game and has gone on to become a crucial member of the Essex side that has challenged for honours in all formats over the past five years.

Shane’s seam bowling has seen him pick up nearly 100 first class wickets to date, including best figures of 7-98, and he has also shown his prowess with the bat in recent seasons, scoring four half centuries and playing a number of important innings for his county.

Shane knows from his various experiences with club, county and country what a difference top quality coaching can make to a player’s career, and his journey through the game makes him an ideal role model for any young player. Shane is available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching this winter for anyone looking to tap into his wealth of experience and knowledge.

Club Cricket: Ilford CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Bowling, Swing Bowling, Batting

Aaron Beard

Aaron has been at Essex since he was 9 years old and knows, better than anyone, the pathway to transition from junior cricket into men’s cricket and then onto the professional game.

Still only 23, Aaron has been involved in Essex’s promotion from Division 2, two subsequent County Championship victories, a Vitality Blast win and played an integral role in the side that won the inaugural Bob Willis trophy.

Aaron has also played club cricket regularly for his hometown club, Chelmsford CC, from a young age and is well respected by all those in the local game. With great commitment and work ethic, having Aaron on board with our team not only provides superb coaching, but also another fantastic young role model to our younger students.

Aaron will be a key member of the coaching team for our group classes, and is also available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Chelmsford CC, Shenfield CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Bowling, Batting, Fitness & Conditioning

Jamie Porter

Jamie has proved to be one of Essex CCC’s most prized assets in recent times where he has continually been amongst the leading bowlers on the County circuit as an opening bowler across all three formats. Swinging the ball both ways, he has deservedly been recognized by the international setup, earning squad call-ups for both the Lions and the full England squad.

Another homegrown Essex talent, Jamie played club cricket as a youngster with a number of clubs in Essex and the East London area and is a familiar face to many in the local game. With years left ahead of him in his already glittering county career, we could yet have an England international star at your team’s coaching disposal!

Jamie will be making some regular coaching appearances at Club Cricket Academy and is also available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Old Parkonians CC, Fives & Heronians CC, Chingford CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Bowling, Swing Bowling

Paul Hurworth

With more than 15 years of coaching experience, Paul is one of the most knowledgeable coaches in Essex.

His degree in Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) and work as an ECB Coach Developer and Assessor qualifies him to deliver exciting group sessions, as he always strives to get the best out of players of all ages and abilities.

Paul has worked extensively with the Essex disability coaching team, and has enjoyed working in schools as part of the Chance To Shine programme. He is a devoted teacher and his passion for the sport and versatility as a coach, enable him to help all those he works with to improve their game.

Club Cricket: Ardleigh Green and Havering-Atte-Bower CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Captaincy, Game Management

Aaron West

Nearly two decades of experience, at the very highest levels of club cricket, mean Aaron is an ideal person to form part of the coaching team at the Club Cricket Academy.

A large chunk of Aaron’s playing career has been spent as club captain at Brentwood CC, and that time has seen the club scoop a whole host of league and cup honours, with Aaron the driving force behind this era of success.

Aaron’s role as captain, alongside his work coaching some of the club’s junior sides, means he has been able to help develop and guide young players as they begin their cricketing journeys.

Aaron’s statistics, predominantly with the bat but also in recent times with the ball, match up well with anyone playing in the higher echelons of the Essex League, and he is available during the coming winter for 1 to 1 and small group coaching sessions.

Club Cricket: Roding Valley CC, Ilford CC, Brentwood CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting

Jack Potticary

Jack’s experience at all levels of the game, and his performances over a number of years, put him in an ideal position to support aspiring players trying to take their game to the next level.

Having played his formative years of club cricket at Hutton, Jack began to really make a name for himself when he broke into Chingford’s 1st XI in the Essex Premier League. While at University, Jack made his first class debut for the Leeds/Bradford MCCU side, playing against Kent, while also playing club cricket for Harrogate in the Yorkshire Premier League, renowned for being one of the toughest and most high quality leagues in the country.

After returning to Essex following University, Jack enjoyed two spells at Shenfield in the top two divisions of the Essex Cricket League, scoring heavily with the bat and impressing many observers with his excellent glovework behind the stumps. Since 2020 Jack has been playing for Mildenhall in the East Anglian Premier League, scoring more than 500 runs per season on three occasions and continuing to be considered one of the best glovemen in club cricket.

In recent years, while continuing to impress in club cricket, Jack has also begun to build up his coaching experience as he looks to the next stage of his cricketing journey, as well as evolving his own game by representing Cambridgeshire in the National Counties competitions.

This huge wealth of experience makes Jack a perfect coach to help you take your game forward at the Club Cricket Academy this winter, where he will be a key member of our coaching team for group classes and will also be available for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Hutton CC, Chingford CC, Harrogate CC, Mildenhall CC, Shenfield CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Wicket-Keeping