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

Ryan Ten Doeschate

Ryan brings a wealth of experience to our coaching roster from the biggest stages around the world. In addition to his nearly two decades of service with Essex, Ryan’s CV also boasts international honours with the Netherlands including ODI and T20 World Cups, as well as a host of franchise contracts including 5 years in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, the Big Bash League and other competitions in New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Africa.

In addition to his well-earned reputation as a highly skilled batting all-rounder, Ryan is one of the fittest and best fielders in the game, which is a testament to his longevity. As a captain, few have a better record at Essex, where he led the team to County Championship titles in 2017 and 2019.

Ryan is also a true ambassador for cricket off the pitch, with a commitment to the Essex community that has given him a cult status in the county. We are excited to be able to offer the next generation the opportunity to learn from Ryan in our masterclasses and 1 to 1 sessions.

Club Cricket: Clacton-on-Sea CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, T20 Shot-Making, Seam Bowling, Captaincy

Tom Westley

Tom Westley is the current captain at Essex CCC and a high quality top order batsman whose classic style and weight of runs has earned him international test honours for England.

Still only 32, and with over 15,000 runs across all formats, including 4-day double centuries and T20 hundreds, Tom has an enviable batting style compiling runs with grace and poise.

His active experience, deep insight, and technical astuteness brings a real quality to our coaching team. Keen to give back to the game, Tom will be delivering masterclass sessions with us, as well as the opportunity for 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

He is a perfect role model for any young aspiring batsman.

Club Cricket: Western Colville CC, Saffron Walden CC, Mildenhall CC
Coaching Specialities: Batting, Spin Bowling, Captaincy

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

Sam Cook

Sam has become a mainstay of the Essex CCC team and a vital contributor to their trophy exploits of the last few years. An opening bowler with outstanding control of the new ball, students can expect an in depth exposure to the rigors of pace bowling from one of the country’s most exciting young bowlers.

Sam has developed a reputation for being one of the best performers in the county, with a vast range of skills and was rewarded with an England Lions call up in Australia in 2020. He is also the only member of our coaching roster to be drafted into the Hundred appearing in the inaugural season for the Trent Rockets.

Sam knows from experience how top coaching setups work and we are delighted to have his knowledge and experience in the Club Cricket Academy and available to you via our group classes, masterclass sessions, 1 to 1 and small group coaching.

Club Cricket: Writtle CC, Chelmsford CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Bowling, Swing Bowling

Eddie Ballard

With over a decade of experience playing and coaching cricket at an elite level, Eddie has a modern and successful coaching style, with his students often achieving excellence at the highest levels.

Eddie is well practiced in the art of coaching cricketers of all ages, enabling him to understand how to achieve the best from each player that he works with. He is an ECB Level Three Performance Coach and is currently Head Coach at Bedfordshire CCC and Brentwood CC. Eddie also works as the lead coach for Kevin Pietersen on his overseas Academies and as a Performance Coach at Brentwood School.

Eddie has a passion for cricket and aims to ensure that his students reach their full potential, whilst enjoying the game itself.

Club Cricket: Bishops Stortford CC, Bedfordshire CCC, Brentwood CC
Coaching Specialities: Seam Swing, Spin Bowling and Batting

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

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

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