Ex-cricketers sharpen coaching skills

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

FORMER Zimbabwe national cricket team players led by ex-captains Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya were among the 29 coaches that graduated with Level 3 cricket coaching certificates in Harare yesterday.

The coaches also attained certificates in professional studies, developing professional practice insport — Level Four — held in conjunction with the University of Gloucestershire over the last two years.

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said the programme was part of the association’s broader vision to develop cricket as a mass sport in Zimbabwe.

“Over the past four years we have put a lot of emphasis on our coach education programme, ” he said.

“We have more than 2 800 graduates who have gone through our basic and intermediate; our Level One and Level 2 course.

“This has been happening throughout the country. We have got a Cricket Kumusha/Cricket Ekhaya programme where we are introducing cricket in districts and various provinces and we have had to engage schools and teachers’ colleges.

“We have taken that opportunity to make sure that we expose as much as possible the people from those districts and provinces.

“With the appointment of (national team head coach) Dave Houghton, we have had to go a gear up in terms of ensuring that we do the Level 3 and Level 4 course and that has gone on very well.

“These are the guys who are involved with franchise cricket that attained the Level 3 course. It’s an internationally recognised course and these guys have done well to achieve that grade.

“In terms of our setup It’s going to be difficult for somebody to come and coach a provincial side if they do not have a Level Three course.

“It’s going to be difficult as well to coach any national representative side without the Level Three course. So we are working flat out to make sure that most of our guys are credited with those qualifications,” said Makoni.

Former Chevrons players that are looking to transition full-time into coaching, and were part of the graduates yesterday, include Njabulo Ncube, Blessing Mahwire, Shingi Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Donald Tiripano, Cephas Zhuwao, Chigumbura and Utseya, who is currently the national Under-19 coach. The certificates were also handed to Lady Chevrons assistant coach Trevor Garwe, Francis Rashikai, Malcom Chikuwa, Dumezweni Sibanda, Lazarus Matore, Steady Musoso, Remembrance Nyati, Gestinos Gwatiringa, Keith Kulinga, Johnson Marumisa, Eric Chauluka, Andrew Durham, Robert Chiminya, Moses Chitare, Square Square, Aaron Phiri, Kudzai Tasa, Washington Nzira and Farai Chari.

“The course is of great value. Obviously as coaches we are learning every day so to add this certificate to my CV goes a long way and it gives me an opportunity to grow as a coach.

“Playing is one thing and coaching is another so you must be open-minded as a coach. As a player you can deal with pressure in a different way but the expectation can be different when it comes to coaching,” said Utseya.

Houghton, who has been in charge of the coaching programme, said apart from scouting and nurturing young talent, priority should also be given to the training of coaches to transform cricket into a leading sport in the country.

“I think our coach education programme is massive. Now that we have got them qualified it’s important that we make sure they have got the right gear and the right kit and there are facilities for it.

“These guys coach throughout the country, in various areas and they do a magnificent job. In fact, 50 percent of the players in the national side came through these development coaches. So they do a wonderful job.

“Cricket has got a great following throughout the country and if we give our qualified coaches the right equipment and facilities we could see a floodgate open of young players coming through,” said Houghton.