Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AUSTRALIAN coaches, Peter Buchanan and Trevor Chappell, are in Zimbabwe to train hundreds of young cricketers.
Their trip has been organised by Grassroots Cricket, a non-profit organisation that uses the sport to promote youth development, education and community empowerment.
Founded by Tawanda Karasa, who is based in Australia, the month-long programme combines cricket coaching with leadership development.
The initiative has, over the past few years, brought Australian coaches and volunteers to Zimbabwe.
They work alongside local coaches while expanding access to the game and strengthening grassroots cricket development.
This year’s programme will take Buchanan, a respected high-performance coach, and Chappell to high-density suburbs in Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Shamva.
They will conduct coaching clinics for young cricketers.
The pair, who arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday, will also lead elite training sessions at Heritage School in Harare and Falcon College in Bulawayo.
Grassroots Cricket has also partnered with the Redcliff Primary School Alumni, which mobilised cricket equipment from the United Kingdom.
The equipment will support the school’s first-ever cricket coaching clinics, helping introduce more children to the sport and broaden opportunities for young players.
Australia is widely regarded as one of cricket’s most successful nations, with a player development system built on disciplined coaching, strong fundamentals and clearly defined pathways from junior cricket to the elite level.
“I’m really excited about coming to Zimbabwe. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with young cricketers and be part of something meaningful at grassroots level,” said Buchanan.
“For me, it’s not just about coaching. It’s about sharing experiences, learning from the players and helping build their confidence and passion for the game.
“Australian cricket has always placed a strong emphasis on discipline, resilience, consistency, game awareness and good training habits.
“Those are some of the values we hope to pass on. But the most important thing is that young players enjoy the game and play with freedom.”
He encouraged aspiring cricketers to remain patient and committed to continuous improvement.
“Work hard, stay patient and never lose your love for the game. Improvement takes time, and the players who remain disciplined and keep learning give themselves the best chance to succeed,” Buchanan said.
