January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Extended break provides fantastic opportunities
What I would like to see the Board do is put into place an association made up of every cricket coach on the island - including club coaches. This association's main goal would be to enhance the overall standard of our domestic game.
It is no secret that the clubs need assistance, the government and the BCB have provided much needed funds and equipment, but there is also a desperate need for guidance from a technical perspective, which is just if not more important.
This is why I was very pleased to learn from national coach Gus Logie that letters had already been sent to the clubs to find out when he could go in to do training sessions, video sessions and talks with players.
This would provide Logie with greater insight into what is happening at domestic level and what is needed to improve the overall standard of the game in Bermuda.
The BCB have taken the first step - the responsibility now lies with the clubs to make it happen.
On another note it is great to see so many of our world cup players express an interest in coaching.
Lionel Cann has stated he would like to open a batting school, Janeiro Tucker has already been appointed player/coach of league champions Southampton Rangers, Dwayne Leverock has expressed a desire to teach our youngsters the art of spin bowling, while Clay Smith and Dean Minors have been involved in coaching for some time now.
It should also be noted that several former players have earned coaching certificates in the last few years, in fact Bermuda probably has more certified cricket coaches today than at anytime in history.
All of this is of course good for Bermuda cricket provided that these coaches are able to demonstrate what former Australian coach Ritchie and well-respected cricket commentator labels the six basic fundamentals of coaching.
n Organise a class with a safe uncluttered layout;
n Correctly demonstrate any skill of the game in keeping with his coaching standard;
n Impart knowledge of the technique of the game in keeping with his coaching standard;
n Detect and correct errors, in individuals as well as in the total class;
n Conduct a practice session, maintaining interest and participation of batsman, bowler and fielder;
n Speak clearly, not moving to another point until the previous one is understood;
Benaud in his book, The Appeal of Cricket - The Modern Game, sums up his total attitude to coaching as, keep it simple and be able to detect errors and more important, correct them.
The coach who all eyes will definitely be on this season is none other than Berkeley Institute schoolmaster Arnold Manders. Manders, who exercises considerable influence in local cricket circles as head of the national selectors, is the leading coach of Bermuda's under-19 national cricket team.
The under-19s take centre stage this season as they prepare for their world cup qualifiers in Toronto later this summer.
The team is extremely talented containing many promising players such as Malachi Jones, Chris Douglas, Kieron Trott and Jordan DeSilva.
It falls to Manders and his assistants, Andre 'Doc' Manders and Clevie Wade, to mold this raw talent into an effective fighting unit. Many, including this writer, will be keeping a close eye on the team.
Let's hope my old school buddy can guide our boys to success.[[In-content Ad]]
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