In the first of what we hope will be a long running series, we’d like to welcome you to our new in-depth interviews with a member of the team behind Stand Cricket Club.
In our first interview, Adam McGladdery followed his Dad and older brother in playing cricket for Stand, and is now heading up the Junior Cricket section whilst playing for our first 1Xi.
Name:
Adam McGladdery
Age:
22
Length of time playing cricket?
I have been playing cricket all my life, I would say 15+ years.
Who’s the best player you have every played with?
Has to be Hannah Jones, who is currently part of the Manchester Originals squad for this years 100 competition.
Your best match?
As an opening bowler I pride myself on my batting ability, so my best match (favourite performance) has to be from the season the 1Xi team won the GMCL Division 1. Walking out to bat number 11 away at Monton needing 70+ runs to win I hear my captain say, “stay out there for a long as you can” (real confidence boost!). As always, it was my job to save the day so Norm and I gracefully scored the runs required to (win) tie the game. Personally, I feel those 2 points won us the league.
Your best stats?
In our last home game of 2021, I had figures of 6-31 against Royton. They are my best 1Xi team figures. It isn’t the best I have bowled but as long as it says “Bowled A. McGladdery” in the book I am happy.
How and when did you get into cricket?
As my dad has always played, I have been brought up with spending Saturday and Sundays down at Stand on the boundary edge watching, spending summer evenings shifting wheelbarrows of cut grass and bowling at my brother until 10pm every Saturday night on the outfield. I don’t think I had much choice in the matter of getting into cricket, it was more of a just when.
Can you describe what you enjoyed most about cricket as a kid and what you enjoy about cricket now?
I can’t put my finger on what I enjoyed most about cricket when I was younger, it helped that it was something I was good at. Some of my favourite memories are of spending nearly every minute of the day in the summertime at the club. Sundays would consist of having under 13s in the morning, going to Subway and then having a grass net on the outfield all afternoon. Playing “if you’re out you’re out” would mean you can bat for hours. Unfortunately, as a bowler I would not bat for very long.
My answer now I am in my 20s (and have started to work all week) is that it gives a place to escape from work and other stress’s in life. After I finish work on a Friday I can go a coach for a few hours, then play all day Saturday and then have a few drinks with that lads Saturday evening.
What are you trying to improve?
My batting, my in-swinger, the social acceptance of bowling in a headband, I could go on… but I guess you mean within the junior section. My main aim is to get as many kids playing the game and then to get as many as possible to carry on playing into senior cricket. This isn’t something we as a club have done badly over the last few years but the number of people playing club cricket are dropping so being able to promote from within will be a massive part of keeping three senior teams running for the next 100 years.
What is your week like during the season?
During the season weeks can very hectic. Depending on when I am working and what teams are playing, I could train twice a week, go to a junior fixture/umpire, play a T20, coach on a Friday and play Saturday/Sunday. While spending Saturday night sat at the bar!
How are you finding running the junior section?
I have only been running the junior section for 4 months and I have to say I am enjoying it, but it is tough. I am looking forward to the summer for the fun stuff during the season when we are out playing and training every week.
Why should kids start playing cricket?
Personally, I don’t think there is anything better than playing cricket on a summer’s day. If it is a weeknight T20 or a 50 over game on a Saturday you get to spend quality time with group of mates and hopefully take some wickets as well.
I now have friends that I would not have met if I was not playing at Stand. These range from 20-year olds to 80+ year olds. Some of these I have played with from under 12s, some of these I know because I have played senior cricket with them and some I only know as they come to watch. If I go shopping in Morrisons or go for a run through Whitefield, more often than not, I will bump into someone I know though the Cricket Club and end up having a chat with them. Having this diverse environment to socialise in from such an early age has been great for me and I highly recommend others do the same.
My interests changed from football to cricket at 14, so having a sport to keep me active and fit has been a massive help, especially after my first year of Uni. The different disciplines that cricket has to offer will suit the needs of any young person wanting to stay fit and get involved with sport. If you like long distance running, being a fast bowler will suit you. If concentration is one of your skills then you could be a great opening batsman. If you enjoy puzzles and working out problems, you will love trying to outwit a batsman by bowling different variations of off-spin. Cricket also helps the other way around, it will make you concentrate more, it will make you start to work in a team better and it will make you understand how your individual actions can affect the result of the whole game. Skills that are very transferable to all aspects of life.
Having cricket to go to in the summer I found invaluable. I knew I would never be bored as I would be playing/training/scoring/watching every day of the week.
What can parents do to support their kids in cricket?
With my Junior Cricket Chairman hat on the biggest thing parents can do is give up time to help with training and match days. Our Friday night training sessions are key to the kid’s development and are great nights to socialise at the club. The only way Fridays work is if we have enough volunteers to help coach and look after all age groups. One thing I want to stress is that parents do not need to know about cricket to help out. Having someone who is willing to supervise for an hour or two is more than enough.
