Endorsements
“I got to work with both Andy & James for 2 years at Stowe School, which really pushed my cricket to the next level in technical and tactical dimensions. They did not change my style or mindset or coach to a textbook at all; just a few small adjustments to allow me to score big runs. Another big part of this is asking the player how they would like to train and what the player feels they need. For me this was a lot of situation-based training, this allowed me in games to feel like I had been there before so there was no pressure as I knew my next step whether it be taking a boundary to release pressure or make sure I’m there for the next over to continue scoring. Time is always taken to have meetings with players or just discussions at the end of training to make sure the player is feeling like they’re in an environment to perform at their best. The greatest part of working with these 2 coaches though is how enjoyable they make spending time with the team and themselves. Training and game days are something every player always looks forward to as we would be spending time with our mates and coaches who allow an enjoyable experience; join in when they like but also step back when they feel it’s within the team's best interest. ”
ALI SHORT (Banbury CC)
“I’ll forever be grateful to Andy and the hundreds of hours he put in to developing my cricket skills from the age of 13 when I was part of the Northants CCC Emerging Players Programme. The enthusiasm and desire shown to improve my cricketing ability as well as shaping me into a better individual away from cricket always shone through during training sessions. Undoubtedly, Andy helped me to realise my potential as a genuine all-rounder, which subsequently translated into county age group success on a personal level from U13 through to U17 while simultaneously handing me my Northants CCC Women’s 1st XI Debut at the age of 14. Without the quality of coaching (particularly, batting and fielding) that Andy was able to offer me from that early age, my journey to becoming a professional cricketer would have been a lot more difficult and may have never happened. Since representing Northants Women up until 2016, I have played for Warwickshire Women - including winning a T20 title in 2019; been a part of a Loughborough Lightning team that reached KSL Finals Day in both 2018 and 2019, as well as signing my first full-time professional cricket contract earlier this year with the Sunrisers. Needless to say, Andy has played a massive part in helping me to achieve all that I have done so far. I am extremely appreciative and wish you all the best with your new coaching company, book publications and beyond. Thank you!”
Jo Gardner (Sunrisers women)
“I was lucky enough to work with James Knott though the most important development years of my cricketing career. I started at Stowe from age 13, as a raw seamer with a decent eye. Through my 5 years, I became a top order batsman alongside taking the new ball in all formats, and have gone on to play a handful of First Class and County fixtures as a top order batter. The technical knowledge Knotty possessed was excellent, but even more so his ability to communicate this information. As a young player with aspirations to play further than school boy and county age groups, there was never a time I felt I couldn’t reach out to Knotty for a hit or just a cricket related chat. I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed my cricket more than my time working with Knotty, there are very few coaches I would feel comfortable and confident contacting for help after moving on from their particular side, but Knotty is certainly one of them.
In terms of training specific, there was always an excellent structure and purpose to each session, always keeping them enjoyable and productive. He is a fantastic coach and he gave me every opportunity to play at a higher level.”
Jack Keeping (Cambridge MCCU & Hertfordshire CCC)
“I was incredibly lucky to have had Knotty as my coach at Stowe School for 3 years, where he really helped develop my cricket and set me up for my career in the sport. He not only is an exceptional coach but he also has become a very good friend in encouraging me to pursue my coaching career. I’ve been fortunate to coach at the school for a number of years now alongside both Andy and James, where I’ve been able to learn a lot of the fundamental skills that make you become a highly skilled coach across all the individual skills in the sport”
Graeme White (Northants CCC & England Lions)
“Andy brought a wealth of knowledge from a professional environment to my cricket. His explanation on the technicalities of batting enabled me to understand how to improve at a young age on a much greater level than had I not known him! It was the first time I really befitted from video analysis under him, which brought to life my strengths and weaknesses to develop a knowledge of my game. This also aided my bowling, as I began to learn about the mechanics of moving my body in particular ways to be as efficient in my action as possible - something again Andy really spelled out for me in a way which was understandable. He was hugely personable and easy to develop a coach-player relationship with which is key in improving, and I really could feel in each enjoyable session that I was getting better. Thanks Andy!”
Dom Goodman (Gloucestershire CCC)
During my time at Northamptonshire CC, I had the pleasure of being coached by Andy. He always believed in me and my ability, even when I didn't and helped me so much, in all aspects of my game, both on and off the field. I am so grateful to Andy, for his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of the game, which consequently helped me to progress through the age groups at Northants, to the Women's 1st team and eventually play for Nottinghamshire Women, Loughborough MCCU and Loughborough Lightning. The experience I gained through Andy's tireless hours of coaching helped me to achieve things, I hadn't even realised I was capable of. Thank you Andy for everything you have taught me, and countless others!
Amy GAUVRIT (Loughborough lightning)
“A huge reason why I am where I am today as a cricketer is the hours I put in at Stowe School with James Knott on a one to one coaching basis. He was always willing to help me take my game forward. A huge strength of his is his overall love for the game and his drive to want me to improve. These qualities meant I would still go back to work with him after I had left school and was a full time professional for Northants.”
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire CCC & England)
“I have had the pleasure of being coached by James and Andy for five very happy years during my time at Stowe School. They are both technically and tactically very knowledgeable, extremely supportive and always willing to go the extra mile for player development. They have a great love and passion for the game and a real interest to improve cricketers. James and Andy are both great guys that complement each other’s style and always have the player’s best interests at the forefront of their coaching sessions.”
Adam King (Loughborough MCCU & Northants CCC)
“I first met Andy at 9 years old, with no real strengths to my game. Sessions with Andy were always so engaging and enjoyable, yet even at this young age he was able to lay the foundations into my batting and keeping technique which, I still rely on today. As I’ve grown older, I’ve found sessions have become more skills based, and tailored more to my individual technique, allowing me to take ownership of my own game. Even now, 10 years on, Andy is still the first person I will turn to for advice or guidance on anything in the game. I was lucky enough to have James as my Director of Cricket for 5 years at Stowe School. The levels of dedication and commitment that James gives to his cricketers is staggering. His extensive technical expertise that he is so clearly able to pass on has transformed my game, and through productive and lean patches I’ve always felt like I’ve had his unvarying support. Both James' and Andy's track record with developing young cricketers is so impressive, with Andy coaching the Northants Academy side to the national title this year and James playing such a key role with developing multiple players to professional success. They have both opened the door to so many cricketing opportunities for me and have inspired me to take my cricket as far as possible..”
OSCAR WATSON (BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CCC & STONY STRATFORD CC)
“I cannot tell you how impressed I have been with the coaching program my son Rhys has had over the years of working with James and Andy at Stowe. When Rhys first started to work with James 5 years ago his game was good but he lacked the mind set around wider technique and game management which would leave him frustrated with his game.
Under James’ guidance a tailored specific program for his development was created for his long-term development, using lots of video footage and challenging him to stretch his mind and game. The time and effort taken to understand Rhys and what makes him tick is the reason he has improved so much over the last few years. I now see a very confident, mature top order batsman with an excellent technique that has helped Rhys to become a really destructive player for School, County and Club.”
Jon Noble (Parent)
“My first experience with Knotty and Andy was as a 13 year old top order batter who bowled some average seamers, however within in my first year it was quickly identified that my talents on the cricket pith lay elsewhere. Working with Knotty and Andy at school along with some of the high quality contacts they have I was able to develop myself as a player and made my full minor counties debut as a spinning all rounder just 4 years later. The enthusiasm they bring to sessions alongside their technical expertise is why I will look back on my years working with Knotty and Andy as some of the most enjoyable and important years of my cricketing journey.”
oliver clarke (loughborough mccu & oxfordshire ccc)
"My son Charlie has had coaching with Andy O’Connor for just over three years. Andy clearly has a huge amount of technical knowledge but equally importantly has a unique ability to work with children, every session starts with Andy asking Charlie about any cricket he has played recently and what he wants to achieve from today’s session. Andy strikes the balance between making learning fun and also pushing the boundaries particularly with skills that Charlie may otherwise shy away from because he knows they’re a weakness. He has a seemingly endless array of drills and practice techniques for both batting and bowling which definitely helps to keep things new and interesting. Andy often uses match scenarios or games to bring focus and add an element of success and failure to sessions which always end with smiles all round. Most importantly the session always ends on a positive note and Charlie always looks forward to the next one. During the time Charlie has had coaching from Andy he has progressed from playing for his local club to playing district cricket and is now in his second year with Northants County Age Group team."
David brett (parent)
"My son Aadi Sharma (Bucks U-14/15/18/Academy/EPP & Northants EPP player) has been very lucky to have James Knott & Andy O’Connor as mentors/coaches at Stowe school. They have been instrumental in transforming & maturing Aadi’s game. They have pushed Aadi to focus on specific areas and improve both, the mental and technical aspects of his game. One of the impressive feature is the innovative drills organised by James to work on specific areas of the game, be it batting, bowling or fielding. James incorporates match scenarios in his sessions and works with the players to focus on tactical awareness & adapting to the challenge it presents. This really showcases his immense knowledge of the game and is a testimony of his Professional experience. James spends valuable time with Aadi in planning sessions, discussing objectives, targets and goals in preparedness of the upcoming season. He discusses the take backs of each session to enable Aadi to self reflect.
Andy spends a lot of time with Aadi in ensuring that Aadi masters particular aspects of his batting, such as playing the short balls or working on using his feat against the spin.
I am really grateful to both James and Andy for their continued support to Aadi, in developing and evolving his game and in the improvement Aadi has made as an overall cricketer.."