Coach Profiles

 All of our coaches are fully qualified to ECB standards, they also hold first aid certificates and have been ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ checked.

Please see below details of our coaches, who they are, where they trained, what are their specialities, as well as pictures so you know who you will be meeting at your sessions.

Feel free to contact your coach at the start or end of your session, for an update on your players skillz.

CONTACT AND LOCATION
Enthusiastic and knowledgeable coaches,
Great cricket progress, Great fun. Good role models…”

Tim Hambridge

Director and Head Coach

Tim is a qualified ECB Level 2 coach who came away from the University of Brighton with a 1st class degree in Sports Coaching and Development.

Coaching through the levels he has also played the role of Head Coach to multiple youth squads at county festivals as well as working as 1st Team Coach for Bexhill CC’s Sussex Premier League side.

As a player Tim has enjoyed a number of seasons opening the batting at Premier League level for Bexhill CC’s 1st XI coming up against the likes of Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer. Tim also batted in the top order for Brighton University 1st XI and is is a fully qualified member of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club).

Matt Cooke

Director and Head Coach

Southampton Solent University graduate, Matthew studied a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sports Coaching.

A level 2 ECB qualified coach, Matthew has coached from grass roots primary school cricket clubs through to the elite players on the Hampshire staff. He has spent two years working closely with the Hampshire youth squads and Academy, as the age groups bowling and fielding coach, as well as assisting the Head coach for the Hampshire U12’s. Matthew has a great relationship with the County, forwarding a number of players for trials.

Player profile

Matthew has represented both Hampshire and Kent at a 2nd team level alongside an off season of training and continual work with Hampshire C.C.C 1st team. Matthew has represented Hampshire Academy following a successful youth career in the Sussex age groups spanning from U10s to the Academy. Matthew also plays Sussex Premier League cricket for Eastbourne C.C & Middleton C.C and was a permanent representative of Southampton Solent University in the top flight of University cricket throughout his three years of his higher education, also holding the position of vice captain in this time.

Ellis Candy

Senior Coach

Ellis joined Skillz Sports Academy as part of their apprentice programme in March 2022. Having completed and passed with flying colours Ellis has now been promoted to Senior Coach.

Since Joining Skillz in March 2022, Ellis has gained his ECB Core Coach Qualification. Along with this, Ellis also obtains a Level 4 Sports Coaching Qualification to go with his BTEC Level 3 Qualifications in Double Sport achieving a Distinction* Distinction & in Sport Science achieving a Distinction*

Ellis currently plays for Portslade Cricket Club. His current top score of 122* came in just his 2nd 1st XI game. As part of his college years, Ellis represented the Aldridge Cricket Academy on their overseas tour to Sri Lanka in 2019.
Ellis also assisted on the Skillz tour to Cape Town in 2023 as a player coach.