Cricket South Africa held its annual four-day senior coaches conference at the Irene Country Lodge this week.

More than 50 coaches from around the country attended this year’s event. These included Franchise coaches and assistant coaches, semi-professional coaches, provincial coaching managers, tertiary coaches and coaches involved in CSA’s High Performance program and talent scouts.

‘This is one of the most important events of the year,’ commented CSA General Manager: Cricket, Corrie van Zyl, ‘as it impacts on the development and well-being of our cricket structures at all levels. Coaching is not just about teaching the players the necessary techniques and sharpening their skills. It goes far beyond that and is part of a holistic cricket education.

‘The theme of this year’s conference was “Managing Complexities in an ever changing environment”. I have every confidence that the conference added considerably to the further growth and development of our professional coaches and the overall coach education landscape.’

The conference was also attended by national head coach, Russell Domingo, and members of his senior coaching staff – Adrian Birrell, Claude Henderson and Charl Langeveldt.

Domingo commented: ‘We had an enlightening afternoon interacting and sharing information with the current coaches in the system. The busy international season doesn’t often allow for this opportunity but I think it’s important for the respective coaches to have an idea of the national team strategy and plans ahead for the season.

‘The coaches play a vital role in guiding and nurturing the players coming through to the Proteas team so it’s key for us to keep the communication channels aligned. As coaches, we need to keep sharing ideas in this ever-changing environment of international sport and to ensure that we keep the cricket pipeline flowing.’