Behind the Stumps

Posted: Wednesday, 7 March 2018

with Sam Owen

Behind the Stumps is an occasional chat with the people in our game in the Bay of Plenty region. In this edition we chat with Sam Owen, who is spending the English winter playing and coaching with Otumoetai Cadets in Tauranga.

Tell us about your background

I am born and bred at the mighty coastal/seaside town of Blackpool in the North West of England. I went to Hodgson High School in Poulton, before doing a year at Blackpool 6th Form College before leaving.

How did you get into cricket and what was your early involvement?

I didn’t start playing cricket until I was 12 years old in our summer holidays. A couple of my friends were into it from the village I lived in (Staining), I’d never played the game, generally thought it was boring but then after a couple of games with my mates, I became a bit obsessed with it. Firstly on playing it, then found a whole new side to the game in terms of statistics and history of the game.

Where do you currently live in England and what Club are you affiliated to?

I still live in Staining, Blackpool and have played for Blackpool Cricket Club since I was 12 years old.

Tell us about your involvement with your club?

I have been involved at Blackpool CC from under the 13’s age group, going through all the junior teams, and playing senior cricket from thirteen years of age, starting in our 4th XI. I moved through all the senior teams, before I captained the 3rd XI for 3 years (2007-2009) before moving into the 2nd XI, which I have captained for the past five seasons. Loved it, good success and helped develop a lot of players within the club. I also ran the large junior section, along with the ladies and seniors sections. I'm a pretty full on person when it comes to club duties, I like to help all ages and people and move forward as a club.

How did you come to dodge the English winter in New Zealand with Cadets?

Well in all honesty, I was a bit tired of things back home around late July. I was browsing the internet on cricketing jobs to see what was out there, just as a bit of interest and somehow ended up coming across cricketing jobs in the Bay of Plenty. I applied mainly for a bit of CV experience, as having never really done a cricket CV. I got some good feedback from it, but obviously didn’t get the position which I wholeheartedly didn’t expect to.

Tai (Bridgman-Raison) asked if I wanted to pass my details on. I said yes and thought nothing of it to be honest, I just thought it was a polite way to end an email chat. Then about seven weeks later, out of the blue, I woke up to a facebook message from Jono Boult. Being a bit of the badger that I am, I thought ‘I know that name’ and went from there.

What was it like having a summer Christmas?

Well it wasn’t my first Christmas in the sun. I much prefer it away from home. Having travelled to Australia a couple of times and also playing cricket in Australia, I think it is my fourth Christmas away from home in the last 10 years. This year I had a really classy do - Dominos pizza and some ‘’quiet drinks’ on St Kilda beach, Melbourne in preparation for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with some mates.

Tell us about you coaching qualifications and the work necessary to earn them?

I passed my ECB Level 2 in 2008, before qualifying as a Club Coach in 2009 (video work, and more specific skill sets). It consists of a lot of classroom and sports hall work and then taking your classroom work out into the middle/nets. I guess the more hours you put into the outside environment, the more you learn and take on board, accounting for more experiences along with various ages/abilities. Since then, I have wanted to progress to do my Level 3, but it’s generally limited to County cricket staff. But I would love to do it.

I have however done numerous workshops and passed my ECB Diploma coaching award, before I came away which was very pleasing. Something I worked hard on and put a lot of time in, as it consisted of a lot of planning and thought provoking stuff plus all video analysis (I’m a bit of a swat when it comes to stuff I enjoy and care about).

What coaching have you been undertaking since you arrived earlier in the season?

I have been coaching both the juniors and seniors at Cadets. I’ve also been into a host of schools doing the basics of cricket with them, along with Superstars cricket for the kids just starting out. I have undertaken various one on one sessions with young players along with coaching the Coastland Primary boys prior to their tournament. I then moved onto the Junior Secondary competition and then the ND Invitational XI at Senior Secondary week. All good and enjoyable experiences.

How do you find the standard of senior club cricket in the Western Bay of Plenty?

From what I have seen, the top teams are good, with the lesser teams slightly behind - you sort of know who is in the running to win the trophies, after a few games into the season. I think the local Reserve grade would improve quicker with a heavier investment of juniors coming through some clubs, which would lead to a more rounded healthier competition

Tell us about the teams that you have taken to ND age-group tournaments before Christmas?

Initially I was asked to take the Coastlands Primary boys to a tournament in Hamilton, and as that got closer I was asked to take the Junior Secondary boys to Rotorua. Then the ND Invitational XI at the Senior Secondary tournament down in Gisborne, so that kept me busy right through November and December. It was all good fun to do, firstly met some top lads and parents.

I coached the Western Bay of Plenty Year 9/10 Gold rep side at the Riverbend tournament in Hawkes Bay. All teams have had good moments, with progression shown as the games went on. One thing I found throughout the teams, is the players had good attitudes in terms of listening and are clearly hungry for success. I feel all age groups need to play on more grass wickets, as it was very apparent that other teams play more on grass.

Are there any Bay of Plenty players that have stood out for you?

In terms of senior cricketers, as I stated I haven’t seen a host of Prem cricket, but obviously Cadets are blessed to have some quality players in Joe Carter, Jono and Sean Davey, then you have the steady heads of Ben Christensen and Scott Steward (perhaps that’s me being biased though).

There are a host of names throughout the juniors and seniors. Of the older players, I think Ruben Clinton at Cadets has a lot to offer and great attitude towards wanting to improve. Marcel Collet, impressed me on my first meeting with him. It may have only been a colt’s game, but his attitude and the way held himself and played a captains knock was great to see. I have also noticed his premier scores including his ton he achieved, which is a great effort for a young lad opening the batting.

Tell us a little more about Sam Owen

What music do you listen to – Bit of everything to be honest, love Blink 182 and that sort of stuff, but also got a lot of time for the older generation music.

What was the last book that you read –Ermmmmmmm, don’t really read books, if you can class Marvel - Infinity Wars as ‘a book’ that was it.

Favourite movie – Marvel Films

Favourite TV program – South Park, Breaking Bad,

Favourite meal – Anything to do with meat and plenty of it, steak, curries.

Favourite drink – water in the week, beer and gin at weekends

Is there one thing that your friends are unlikely to know about you -To my New Zealand friends - YES (in order to prevent me from being tagged in the facebook meme over and over). I did actually hit 2 sixes last season, contrary to what some might believe, hahaha. It’s a rare occasion back home for me, so one of my team mates had a bet with me if I hit a six he would pay my fines, which he actually did.

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