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Scott returns to Dorset as Bournemouth Director of Cricket
Mike Vimpany - 30 January 2002
Richard Scott has returned to his old Sports Club roots to become Bournemouth's new Director of Cricket.
The former Hampshire and Gloucestershire left-hander has been appointed to oversee the development of cricket at Chapel Gate.
Scott, 38, spent his formative years with Bournemouth - then based at Kinson - before going on to score almost 5,000 runs and take 93 wickets in 169 Championship and 1-day appearances for the two First Class counties between 1983 and 1993.
A lead player in Bournemouth's two past Southern League championship triumphs, he was named the League's Young Cricketer of the Year after scoring over 650 runs in the club's 1984 title triumph.
After spending three seasons with Gloucestershire, Scott returned to the club and captained Bournemouth to a second SCL championship in 1996.
Scott, who has not played any serious club cricket for the past three years, is anticipating a heavy workload at Chapel Gate.
"The club is running six Saturday mens teams, two Sunday XIs, a midweek XI and two women's teams, besides a whole host of colts teams, so I'm going to be pretty busy," he said.
But Scott, who hit five centuries during his ten-year county career, is relishing the challenge.
"Bournemouth has got everything going for it - one of the best appointed grounds, a good administrative set up and, above all, great potential, particularly for aspiring young players," he said.
"Owen Parkin and Dimitri Mascarenhas both carved out professional careers after playing at Bournemouth and now Chris Park, our teenage wicket keeper, is eagerly awaiting his first Academy year at Northamptonshire."
Scott, whose brief is to coach Bournemouth's seniors, colts and ladies teams, is eager to fast-track the club's promising youngsters into league cricket as soon as possible.
"I've been very impressed with the enthusiasm amongst the juniors; turn outs for net sessions and coaching has been terrific.
"It's my aim to get the promising 16-year year olds into our senior league sides as soon as possible, so as to prepare them for Premier League cricket," he added.
Scott's junior training sessions differ entirely from basic batting and bowling in the Hurn Cricket Centre nets.
"The youngsters get one-to-one coaching, so we can keep an eye on their development in the months leading up to the start of the season."
Scott stressed that he had "put a lot of emphasis on catching and ground fielding, both of which are a vital ingredient of the game.
"If a parent has a promising son or daughter who has a talent for cricket, then my message is to bring him or her along to Hurn on Monday evenings."
Bournemouth, prominent Southern Electric League members since the competition's inception in 1969, are clearly anxious to improve on last season's mid-table standing.
But a top priority is to get the club's 2nd XI into the Premier League's Third Division.
"The seconds play in Hampshire League Division 1 at present, but the gulf is too wide between that and 1st XI cricket.
"It's important we put a lot of emphasis on getting the 2nd XI in the promotion places at the start of this season," Scott said.
Bournemouth are certainly delighted Richard Scott has returned to his old roots. "The appointment of a Director of Cricket has been an ambition of the club for some time.
"To have Richard Scott's experience and enthusiasm for the game in that position will be of great benefit to both our existing and new club members," commented Bournemouth secretary and team-mate Martin Miller.
Details of Bournemouth's pre-season training and information on the coming season can be obtained from Martin Miller (01202 552904).
© SPCL / Mike Vimpany / Daily Echo
| Players/Umpires | Richard Scott, Owen Parkin, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Chris Park, Martin Miller. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |