Mark Robinson appointed as State School Technical Lead

Mark Robinson appointed as State School Technical Lead

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that Mark Robinson has been appointed as State School Technical Lead of the Club. 

Robinson, who previously served as Sussex Men’s Head Coach for ten successful years, recently rejoined the coaching staff at Sussex on a short-term basis, following his departure from Warwickshire, where he won the Division One County Championship title in 2021. 

He will remain as part of the Sussex Cricket coaching staff, whilst also working alongside Gary Wallis-Tayler (Community Cricket Director) and the Sussex Cricket Foundation to revolutionise state school cricket in the County. 

Exciting plans are in place to change the landscape of state school cricket across Sussex, which will provide increased opportunities for boys & girls to access the sport, strengthen our recreational club network and help identify new talent to feed into our pathway system.

Robinson will also assume the role of Director of Cricket at the Club’s official state school partner, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) a post that was previously held by current Sussex Women’s Head Coach, Alexia Walker. 

Speaking on his new Robinson commented: “I am looking forward to and delighted to be appointed as the State School Technical Lead at Sussex, as well as the Director of Cricket for BACA. 

“My mum was a teacher on an estate in Hull, and fought hard to give students equal opportunities, and it makes me proud. I'm following in her footsteps to try and create a difference, and make sure cricket is available for everybody.”

Principal of BACA, Jack Davies, added: “We are more than excited to welcome Mark Robinson to our school, and I look forward to working closely with Mark to further our students’ cricket skills and game results in the coming seasons.”

Sussex Cricket Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace, also said: “This is a unique opportunity to appoint a former professional Head Coach with a vast array of experience, across both the men's and women’s teams. 

“With many domestic trophies, and the Women’s World Cup in his list of achievements, Mark will be well-placed to help young people develop as successful cricketers and as young adults through the partnership between BACA and Sussex Cricket.”

About the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy 

BACA is the state school partner of Sussex Cricket, with students combining academics with top class cricket coaching and exceptional facilities and has consistently been named in the top 100 schools for cricket in the country, and until this year, was one of only six state schools awarded this honour. 

With a best-in-class indoor cricket centre and pitch, BACA’s cricket academy pathways provide students with the opportunity to play in the Junior Cricket Pathway from the ages of 11-16 and then in the Sixth Form Cricket Academy from 16-19, with coaching and strategic programme advice provided by Sussex Cricket.

Both programmes are thriving and aim to give children from state school backgrounds a pathway into professional cricket.

To find out more about BACA, please visit: https://www.baca-uk.org.uk/Cricket/ or to find out more about opportunities to play cricket across Sussex, please visit the Sussex Cricket Foundation’s website: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation