Mangalore, September 16: An innovative curriculum based Cricket Education Programme in affiliation with Cricket Australia was launched in Mangalore on Sunday.
Brijesh Patel, Former Indian Cricketer and Former Secretary of Karnataka State Cricket Association, Matthew Betsey, Cricket Australia's Coach Manager, and Martin Gleeson, CEO, Sports Education Development of India Ltd. inaugurated the programme at St. Aloysius College Centenary Grounds.
Speaking at the formal function, Mr. Gleeson said that the intention behind having such a programme is to produce quality local coaches by bringing together coaching expertise from India as well as Australia. 25 coaches from all over the country would be trained in Jaipur wherein they would be familiarized with the latest techniques in the game, he said. The programme not just provides resources for coaches but also resources for students backed by curriculum and cricket text books too, he said. Children also benefit from value added sessions by renowned cricketing role models such as Brett Lee, Mike Hussey, the Australian team and Rajasthan Royals, he said.
Mr. Betsey said that partnerships are an important aspect not just in cricket but also in life and Cricket Australia has entered into a partnership with Cricket India Academy for the benefit of the game. Cricket Australia has a system of producing top cricketing talent and the likes of Brett Lee, the Waugh brothers and Adam Gilchrist have all come through those processes, he said. By extending their focus to other countries, world cricket in general would benefit, he said. The programme also aims at developing related skills such as leadership, decision making, honesty, and respect besides equipping children with cricket skills, he added.
Expressing his thoughts, Mr. Patel said that with the initiative of Mangala Sports Club and the launching of the programme, the game has been taken to a higher level in the city. Urging children to make the most of the opportunity, Mr. Patel said that they would have to put in extra efforts especially in terms of batting, bowling and fielding drills. The modern day cricket demands good fielding skills and it is a key area where the fitness of the aspirants would be tested, he said. Mr. Patel also suggested that an indoor cricket practice facility be set up as a lot of children lose touch during rainy season while the cricketing season starts in June-July.
J R Lobo, Former Commissioner of MCC, expressed appreciation for the newly launched programme and hoped that it would help nurture more top class cricket talents in Mangalore.
Fr Swebert D'Silva, Principal, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, also wished the programme good luck and hoped that the initiative would help children and youngsters to engage themselves in some physical activity rather than getting glued to mobiles and computers.
Shashidhar Kodickal, Manohar Amin, Samuel Jayaraj Mutthu, CA Rathan Kumar, Devdas Nayak P, and other representatives of Mangala Sports Pvt Ltd, were also present.
Coaching will be given in three categories i.e. 'Cricket Kids' (for children between 5-8 years of age), 'Cricket Education Programme' (CEP for children between 9-14 years of age), and 'Emerging Players' (15 plus). Besides, an 'Elite Camp' will be held exclusively for Cricket Education Programme and Cricket India Acdemy participants providing specialist coaches and high performance skill development techniques. 'Summer camps' would also be held for children during their vacations.
Cricket Education Programme has been developed exclusively by Cricket Australia. A Diploma of Cricket certificate is also awarded by Cricket Australia for participants satisfying the requirements of the final level of the programme. Popular Aussie pacer Brett Lee is the Programme's Brand Ambassador along. Mike Hussey and Ellyse Perry are 'Role Models' of the programme. Pravin Amre, renowned Indian cricketer, is the Coach Director. Local coaches are trained by Cricket Australia Coach Educators and the monitoring of coach performance is done by Cricket Australia accredited Coach Assessors.
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