About Us

Welcome to the England Prep Schools' Cricket Association, where we believe in the power of development through cricket. Our mission is guided by the principles of being OPEN, striving to UNDERSTAND the unique challenges our members face, and cultivating TRUST among our community. These values allow us to provide unparalleled support to our member schools, driving excellence in their cricket delivery. Together, we can inspire the next generation of cricketers and create lasting legacies.

President

Geraint Jones MBE

Geraint Jones MBE: Geraint Jones began his career as a trainee pharmacist before transitioning to cricket, where he played a pivotal role in England's historic Ashes victory in 2005. His illustrious cricket career includes playing for Kent and Gloucestershire. Following his cricket career, Geraint pursued his passion for coaching and teaching, earning a degree to become a business teacher. He currently serves as a housemaster at St Lawrence College and Assistant coach of Kent Women. Geraint is also dedicated to community service as a volunteer fireman. His passion for helping to develop the educational sector and create more opportunities for young people drives his ambition to be the president of EPSCA. He is committed to fostering excellence and creating enriching experiences for the next generation.

Chair

Rob Ferley

Rob's passion for the game led him to excel at junior levels and represent England through his junior years and at U19 level. He gained a scholarship to Sutton Valence for 6th form and later graduated from Durham University. He continued to play at a professional level for 12 years. As a professional cricketer, Rob played for Kent County Cricket Club and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, showcasing his skills as a slow left-arm orthodox spinner and combative batter. After retiring from professional play, Rob pursued a career in coaching, keen to explore all environments associated with development and high performance. Rob is a Level 4 coach, the highest level of coaching qualification, which underscores his expertise and dedication to the sport. Rob Ferley and Dr. James Wallis crossed paths through their shared passion for cricket and commitment to youth development. Rob, with his extensive experience as a professional cricketer and coach, found a kindred spirit in Dr. Wallis, whose expertise in junior youth coaching and values-based, holistic approach resonated deeply with him. Dr. Wallis, known for his pioneering work in creating environments where young athletes can thrive, introduced Rob to innovative coaching methodologies. His holistic approach integrates physical, mental, and emotional development, ensuring that young cricketers are well-rounded and resilient. Together, they recognized the importance of fostering a positive and nurturing environment to help young cricketers reach their full potential. Their collaboration led to the development of the SPARK System—an evidence-based visual reference tool designed to enhance cricketers' development. The SPARK System provides clear, actionable feedback, making it easier for players to understand and improve their skills. Alongside this, they created the SPARK Curriculum, which equips coaches with the knowledge and techniques to better train their athletes. This curriculum focuses on holistic development, integrating physical, mental, and emotional aspects of coaching to create well-rounded and resilient cricketers.

Educational Director

Dr. James Wallis

Dr. James Wallis is a distinguished academic and educator with a lifelong commitment to the field of education. He began his career as a PE teacher, where he developed a passion for fostering physical and mental development in young people. Dr. Wallis joined the University of Brighton in 2001, where he has made significant contributions as a Principal Lecturer in the School of Education, Sport, and Health. Dr. Wallis has an extensive background in sport coaching and education, having written the Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) program and served as its course leader from 2009 to 20221. His research focuses on creating environments where young athletes can thrive, integrating physical, mental, and emotional development to ensure well-rounded and resilient individuals. His work has been instrumental in challenging traditional coaching methods and promoting non-linear approaches to skill development. Dr. Wallis has authored and edited numerous publications, including "Sport Coaching with Diverse Populations: Theory and Practice," which provides valuable insights for coaches working with various groups, including children, youth, and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals. His research on coaching children and youth emphasizes building physical foundations and holistic development. Dr. Wallis's collaboration with Rob (our Chairman) has been particularly impactful. Their shared passion for cricket and commitment to youth development led to the creation of the SPARK System—an evidence-based visual reference tool designed to enhance cricketers' development. The SPARK Curriculum, which they developed together, equips coaches with the knowledge and techniques to better train their athletes, focusing on holistic development. Through their partnership, Dr. Wallis and Rob Ferley have not only advanced coaching practices but also ensured that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to flourish in cricket. Dr. Wallis's work stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief that with the right guidance, every young athlete can achieve their full potential.

Meet Our Team

Educational and EDI Consultant

Nancy Harman

Nancy Harman is an professional cricketer known for her exceptional skills as a right-arm leg break bowler and middle order batter. She has made significant contributions to various teams, including Sussex, Leicestershire, Lightning, Southern Vipers, Trent Rockets, and London Spirit. Nancy's cricket journey began with her county debut for Sussex in 2017, where she quickly established herself as a formidable bowler. Over the years, she has achieved impressive milestones, such as her maiden county five-wicket haul against Warwickshire. Her consistent performances have earned her recognition and respect in the cricketing community. Beyond her on-field achievements, Nancy is deeply passionate about coaching and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). She actively participates in the Professional Cricketers' Association's (PCA) 'Learn Before Wicket' EDI Educational Programme, where she serves as an Inclusion Champion. Through this role, she empowers players with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace diversity, exercise inclusivity, and promote equity within their cricket environments. Nancy's dedication to EDI and coaching reflects her commitment to fostering an inclusive culture in cricket, ensuring that future generations benefit from a more equitable and supportive environment. Her contributions both on and off the field make her a unique figure in the world of cricket.

IT and Learning Director

Wilson Gumbs

Wilson is one of the most charismatic and respected coaches in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, with over twenty years of experience. Before fully dedicating himself to cricket coaching, Wilson spent his formative years building a successful career in IT. However, his passion for cricket ultimately led him to retire from IT and focus on junior development. Wilson has worked across both men's and women's pathways, from junior levels to senior 1st XIs at club level. He has coached Berkshire boys at the U17 level and the Berkshire Women’s 1st XI. Specializing in batting, Wilson is also highly skilled in other coaching disciplines, including seam bowling, fielding, and wicket keeping. An ECB qualified Level 2 coach, Wilson has served as Head Coach at three Premier League men’s clubs and has led the junior sections at each of these clubs. His extensive experience extends to the school environment, where he has coached at Bradfield College for several years, including coaching the school’s 1st XI in 2022. Wilson's dedication to cricket and his commitment to nurturing young talent have made him a highly respected figure in the cricket coaching community. Under his guidance, countless players have gone on to gain higher honors and achieve significant milestones in their cricketing careers. His transition from a successful IT career to focus on junior development highlights his unwavering passion for the sport and his desire to make a lasting impact on the next generation of cricketers.

Commercial Director

Mark Allum

Mark is a Level 3 ECB qualified coach who has been coaching for almost 20 years and has worked in a diverse range of environments, from school to international level cricket. Before fully dedicating himself to cricket coaching, Mark started his career as a business director, where he worked hard to become a well-respected leader. Mark specialises in seam bowling at the most advanced levels but is proficient in all cricket disciplines. He has coached in the Berkshire and Middlesex County Age Group pathways for 17 years and has been the head coach of each age group from U10 to U18. He is currently coaching the Middlesex U14 age group. In addition to this, he has worked with the Middlesex Academy and 2nd XI, as well as the Berkshire 1st XI. For the past five years, Mark has managed and coached the South and West of England Under 15 squad, one of the four regions of England that compete in the annual Bunbury Festival. Over the years, Mark has worked directly with over 30 male and female cricketers who are currently playing the game professionally. For eight years, Mark was Berkshire Cricket’s Director of Cricket, a period that established Berkshire as the most successful National County in the history of the game. This success spanned all levels of both men’s and women’s performance cricket in the county. In addition to his coaching work, Mark also serves as a Coach Educator and Mentor for the England and Wales Cricket Board. On a one-to-one basis, he has helped dozens of professional and international players make the transition from playing to professional coaching.