OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Cricket coaches from across the South Western District descended on the recreation grounds in Oudtshoorn for the inaugural SWD coaches conference on Friday 23 February.

"Adrian Birrell, the former Proteas assistant coach, spent the better part of two and a half hours taking the coaches through valuable practical coaching lessons," said Albertus Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of SWD Cricket.

"All the lessons, tips and ideas he shared were on key basic principles and relevant to all the coaches present, from primary schools through to premier league."

Jean du Plessis, a member of the SWD Academy and SWD side, who recently returned from the u.19 World Cup, spoke about his experiences at the World Cup and gave his perspective on coaching from a young player's point of view. "The lessons he shared were valuable to any coach working with an elite cricketer," said Kennedy.

Baakier Abrahams, SWD head coach and CSA talent scout, discussed how school coaches fit into the CSA talent acceleration program (TAP) and SWD Pipeline. 

Kennedy said this ensured coaches left the conference understanding their roles in developing and nurturing talented players, as well as the entire process they would go through individually.

"Henrico Louw of ETA presented a brilliant practical discussion and workshop on developing fundamental skills with specific focus on conditioning. 

The course was well attended.

"The talk was especially relevant to all school coaches because he dealt with the actual athlete that coaches are dealing with today, compared with 20 years ago and the challenges associated with developing skills with these players."

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