Kingston, Jamaica – The West Indies Cricket Board and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) today launched a Cricket Coaching Education Programme (CCEP) designed to restructure, revamp and broaden the sustainability of the sport of cricket in the Caribbean region. The CCEP launch took place at a ceremony held at UTech’s campus.
L-R: Mr. Laurence Garriques, Director of Sport (Acting), University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) Mr. Lyndel Wright, President, Jamaica Cricket Association, Mr. Michael Muirhead, CEO, WICB, Dr. Colin Gyles, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport, UTech, Prof. Ashok Kulkarni, Deputy President, UTech and Mr. Orville Byfield, Head, Caribbean School of Sport Science, UTech at the launch of the WICB/UTech Cricket Coaching Education Programme held at UTech campus on Monday, July 1, 2013.
The CCEP will introduce to the Caribbean Level 3 Coaching Certification Programme. The CCEP benefitted from technical expertise from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Chief Executive Officer of the WICB, Mr. Michael Muirhead said “we cannot over-emphasize the importance of certified coaches in the development of West Indies cricket.”
“The important pillar of coaching education has been returned to being among the top priorities in West Indies cricket,” Mr. Muirhead added.
“With this redeveloped programme we now have structure, uniformity and consistency in the delivery of coaching education across the region. This partnership represents the very best of collaboration between regional organizations to achieve a greater good and it is one which we hope will serve as a model in cricket, sport and in broader areas moving forward,” the WICB CEO further noted.
President of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Mr. Lyndel Wright who was also in attendance at the launch also praised the reconstituted coaching programme.
Prof. Ashok Kulkarni, Deputy President, UTech, in his welcome stated that “cricket is more than a sport and remains an important integration strategy which has the potential for creating a lasting impact on the development of the region.” He noted that the synergy between UTech and WICB augurs well for the continued development of cricket in Jamaica and the region.
The University and the WICB previously signed a memorandum of understanding in September of last year which will see both entities cooperating for the development of West Indies Cricket.
Mr Laurence Garriques, Acting Director of Sport, UTech in his overview of the project and courses said that “the Coaching Education Programme will be administered by UTech and will be a fully WICB accredited programme. The CCEP accreditation will be globally recognized and will serve as the official Coaching Certification for the West Indies and the Americas.”
The CCEP includes:
Foundation Coaching Programme
Level 1 Coaching Programme
Level 2 Coaching Programme
Tutors and Assessors Coaching Programme
Level 3 Coaching Programme
Each programme will include sports science, academic and technical components and will be graded and assessed on standard systems as designed by UTech and the WICB. There will be a structured syllabus and course outline for each programme which will ensure consistency of delivery throughout the region. The Foundation Coaching Programme will target every Physical Education Teacher and Kiddy Cricket Teacher in the region.
The CCEP has a target of training 1500 Level 1 coaches across the Caribbean region within the first year of implementation. The Level 1 Programme is an advanced introduction to cricket and Level I certified coaches will be equipped to coach junior club cricket, school teams and secondary club teams.
The Level 2 programme will equip coaches to coach national junior/age group teams, senior club and district/county/parish teams.
The training programme which is slated to commence within two months will start with the Tutors and Assessors Programme which will target the training of 40 coaches across the region at this level for the first year of implementation. The WICB is currently engaged in the selection process of coaches. The Tutors and Assessors will all be trained in Jamaica at UTech’s campus and will be equipped to deliver the Foundation Coaching Programme and the Level 1 Coaching Programme in their respective territories.
The Level 3 programme will equip coaches to coach national senior teams and all West Indies teams – senior and junior and male and female. The Level 3 Programme will be done through an application process.
The CCEP will have a fixed continuing education component. Coaches previously certified by the WICB will need to renew their accreditation by completing specially organized coaching workshops to bridge the gap between previous certification and the CCEP. Upon successful completion certification will be re-issued.
Mr. Philip Service, West Indies Territorial Development Officer gave remarks on behalf of West Indies coaches. He highlighted the need for more technically competent players, adding that “coaches must be highly motivated, qualified and fit within a system of accountability, consistency and excellence and this can only be achieved through training and education.”
