As the coveted ICC Women’s Cricket World T20, gets into full swing in the West Indies later this month, we caught up with elite cricketer and member of our Sporting Champions scheme, Maia Bouchier, to find out everything you need to know to ensure you reach peak performance on the cricket field.
Getting Started
Maia was first encouraged to try her hand at the sport by her father after becoming involved in t…he boy’s team at his club. She was chosen to try out for the U13 Middlesex girls’ team, eventually progressing onto the U15s, where Maia was selected for the EPP programme (Emerging Players Programme). This lead to her being picked for the first team of the U19 and Middlesex Women’s squad, which consequently resulted in her joining the U15s England Women’s Development Programme (EWDP), which she credits with playing and training with some of best players in the county.
Seasonal Cricket Training
To keep in optimum physical conditional in the summer, she aims to fit in at least two strength a…nd three running/cycling sessions during the week. These are carefully split up throughout the week, to comprise of strength sessions every other day and running across the remaining days. However this also varies depending on the sport Maia plays during the week. For example, in the winter she plays football, and includes this as part of her sprinting workout. She takes part in between two to three net sessions during the week throughout the year, minus holidays of course!
She says her favourite part about training is fielding, as she particularly enjoys the elements of catching and diving that cricket offers, she really likes being active and running around in the outdoors. “The skill involved in all parts of fielding is incredible, it excites me, to be part of the game, to have to react to the ball and be lightning fast across the field to pick the ball up and fizz it in.”
Cricket Competition Prep
In order to make sure she doesn’t tire herself out, Maia usually maintains her typical regime ahe…ad of a major competition. She does however, factor in how many matches her team are playing during the week and month and carefully tailors her routine accordingly if there happens to be more than one in the same week. Before going out on the field, she has a few songs she particularly likes to listen to, that pump her up such as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s track, Can’t Hold Us (featuring Ray Dalton) and also keep her calm, like Coldplay’s Everglow!
Athletic Attributes
She believes self-confidence and being open minded are some of the key characteristics needed to …succeed in cricket. “Self-confidence, is vital, you need to believe in yourself and your ability, and not be afraid to make mistakes. Learning from your mistakes is ultimately how you improve, by putting in the practice you’ll only get better, which should increase your self-confidence. Having an open mind and grasping all you can from your surroundings, by listening to the coaches, taking on board their thoughts and applying this out on the field, should help you go the distance as an athlete.”
“It’s very easy to get involved, simply visit your local cricket club and ask to sign up – there are plenty of clubs around that give you an opportunity to play either in a casual team or competitive one.”
To find out more about the Everyone Active Sporting Champions scheme click below: