Thanks to a recent investment into some new software and camera equipment, we are now able to livestream our school cricket fixtures. You need never miss a fixture again as you can watch the game, in real-time, on your mobile phone or desktop. (Although we recommend joining us in person wherever you can!)
Our Director of Cricket, Mr Gary Steer, was inspired by a live radio broadcast at Eton College, when the school played them last year. Keen to attract a wider audience for our own cricketers, Mr Steer researched some options before settling on a system provided by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and together with support from the school’s IT team, the systems were put in place. Starting with four away fixtures (the camera and equipment is portable), the first of our four East Anglia away fixtures was filmed, with the other three following.
Gary explained, “The livestream will widen access to school cricket. There are a lot of parents who want to watch the boys play and mid-week they are usually at work, so this provides a great opportunity to watch the game at lunchtime, or even have it on mute while they work, if they can.”
The look and feel of the games is extremely professional. Based on the ECB’s own livestreaming templates, it really does provide the viewer with a first-class experience, with live scores on screen.
Once we have built up a substantial online following, the next stage will be to add in commentary. Not only will this give the viewer a more interesting experience, but will also provide boys who are looking to pursue a career in sports journalism, the opportunity to practice a new skill.
The boys themselves absolutely love the new facility, even watching the match from their phones while they are waiting to bat. When a good shot is played or a brilliant catch is taken, the boys can rewind and watch it again. The system itself automatically records the highlights of the match (every wicket, four or six), which also can be watched after the match, providing an excellent performance development tool.
Captain of our 1st XI Rohan Mehmi told us, “The introduction of livestreaming allows for good self-development as post game you can analyse your mode of dismissal. For example, if you are a batsman, and if there are any technical flaws in any aspects of your game, then coaches can use this to help mold their sessions with you to help overcome these.
As a school, it is beneficial for the development of cricketers and helps boys to build up their cricketing highlights, which can be used by their county programmes to continue with their development.”
You can watch all recorded fixtures via the Bedford School Cricket YouTube channel and view upcoming fixtures on our sports calendar on the school website.