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Development

An Overview of Development OF Cricket in Namibia
Mini-Cricket
Training OF Coaches And Administration
Highly Talented Players
Transformation
The Practise

AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT OF CRICKET IN NAMIBIA
The purpose of the development of cricket in Namibia includes many aspects such as introducing the game to the people of Namibia with the emphasis on previous disadvantaged communities, the training of coaches and administrators, the introduction of proper league systems at under age groups, the identification of highly talented players and the exposure of such players to a higher level of coaching and competition. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a regular supply of highly talented and skilled players to our members (clubs) which members in turn form the foundation of our national team.

It is important that all concerned should realize that such aims and objectives, cannot be reached overnight but that we are looking at a long term “investment” and that it is and will be a very costly exercise. Hence long term corporate sponsorship is a must for such a development plan.

The Board has approved a development plan in 2002 that outlines the basic steps to achieve these objectives. It includes the following:

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MINI-CRICKET:
The purpose of mini-cricket is multifold.
1. It is used to introduce an affordable form of cricket to all the people of Namibia that can be played almost any where;
2. It provides a opportunity to introduce new coaches and administrators to the game;
3. Highly talented players can be identified from as young as seven years of age;
4. Players are introduced to the game at least three years earlier than in the past which results in a much higher level of skills when the players start to play orthodox cricket .

This program is mainly run by the development officers appointed by the Board. During the last year the program has been extended to a total of six of the political regions and the aim is to extend it to at least three other regions during 2005.

In the existing regions, the first two objectives have been reached with all most 50 schools that participate with trained coaches. In the Oshana region where the program has commenced in October 2002, objectives 3 and 4 have also been reached. In the Khomas and Erongo region, the latter two objectives will be reached early in 2005.

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TRAINING OF COACHES AND ADMINSTRATORS:
The training of coaches and administrators forms the foundation and backbone of any development of this nature. The success of the program depends on them. That is then also the reason why the development officers are mostly working with coaches. It is important to train and identify highly talented coaches with the view of exposing them to further levels of coaching. The aim is to eventually provide above average coaches at junior level to ensure highly skilled players to our members.

Since October 2002 no less that 127 teachers completed a level 0 (mini-cricket) coaching course and more that 80 are still actively involved. No less than fourteen level 1 coaches have been trained. Committees has been formed or are in the process of being formed to expose such teachers to the administration of the game. An administration course will be presented early in 2005 to introduce these administrators to basic club level administration. Once again it the aim is to provide a sound administration basis at junior level that will naturally follow on to the members of the Board.

- back to top -

HIGHLY TALANTED PLAYERS:
It is a fact that less than 5% of u/13 players in Namibia eventually ends up playing club cricket. This largely due to the fact that we loose and /or share highly talented players to or with other sports codes from u/13-level up to u/19-level. At the same time these highly talented players do not acquire the skills required to play on international level or even club level when they reach the age of 17 to 19. This problem needs to be addressed as we are currently loosing thousands of dollars of “investment in players” made by coaches, schools and the Board. At the same time we do appear not to be very competitive on the international scene with our older age group teams. It also results in a lesser skilled player becoming available to our members and national side.

The short term solution to the problem is to identify a group of approximately 22 highly talented players in every age group and to expose these players to specialized coaching and a higher level of competition through the year, lets say once a month with accelerated clinics during the cricket season. The appointment of a national coach makes this possible and he will be visiting the regions on a regular basis.

In the long term the idea is to identify highly talented players in groups of approximately 22 in every region from as young as age 7 and to expose these players to a higher level of coaching. In addition, a strong regional competition must be put in place that is played through out the year to expose these players to a higher level of competition from which a final group of 22 can be identified in respect of each age group from age 13. As these players are exposed to higher levels of coaching and competition, it is envisaged that more of these players will continue to play cricket after school and that they will be more skilled than before. It is also most likely that players will make a choice between sport codes at a much earlier stage and will start to specialize in one or two codes.

It is of utmost importance that we must realize that we do not need to “invent the wheel” again. Similar type of programs have work in various countries all over the world and the successes of it is clearly acknowledge in Africa.

- back to top -

TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation of the game to reflect to population demographics of the country is and will probably remain a very continuous issue for some time and the Board has no doubt in respect of its social responsibility in this regard. It has been stated publicly that that the Board is committed to deal with this issue and to resolve it. At the same time the Board accepts the fact that it cannot be achieved in one or two years and that it has a responsibility to closely monitor the situation on a regular basis. The Board has resolved to follow a “common sense” approach in this regard.

The mini-cricket program has been directed to schools where the majority of learners and teachers are of color. The extension of the program to orthodox cricket in the Oshana region, indicated that the program is successful in bringing through players of color. In fact, 14 of the 15 identified players, were players of color. It is expected that in other regions, similar or results very close to it will be achieved when the program is introduced during next year in that regions. The expansion of the program to the other regions will definitely increase the number of players of color within the next two years.

The challenge for the Board will however be to retain these players for the future. The only way to do it is by ensuring that proper leagues and tournaments in all the regions of the country and that strong regional leagues or tournaments are being played. Current statistics show that at least 6 of the regional teams created in terms of the program, will predominantly consist of players of color. At the same time the number of players of color in the other regional teams will increase. This was already proven at the u/13 national trails by the regional teams of the Karas and Erongo regions, which included more than 50% of players of color.

Transformation however extents further than just players of color. It also includes coaches and administrators. In this regard the Board has gone a long way. It is for this reason that the training of coaches and administrators have been receiving preference above the coaching of individual learners. Once again the challenge lies in bringing these coaches and administrators through to club and national level. This can only be achieved by appointing these coaches and administrators as coaches and managers of regional teams which in turn necessitates the proper identifying and training of the coaches and administrators. The members (club) also has a social responsibility to embrace these officials as they come through and to make them part of their clubs.

- back to top -

THE PRACTISE:
It is often said that “all is easier said than done”, which is very true. The Board is in the process of drafting and preparing a comprehensive guideline for the whole of the country which will hopefully be circulated before December 2004. The purpose of guideline will solely be to put practice the basic principals as set out above.

Our members (clubs) and the game of cricket will only benefit from the development program if it is implemented properly .

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It can be found at Namibia League Resu... read more 21 January 2010 - Fixtures Update : The lateste Fixtures for 2010. read more 14 January 2010 - Namibia Player Averages : The Namibia player averages have been updated. read more 13 January 2010 - Namibia Bowling and Batting Averages : The most recent Bowling and Batting Averages has been updated and can now be found under the Namibian team results. read more 05 January 2010 - Namibia vs Border : Herewith follow the names of the MTC Namibian team who will play against Border in a Three-Day match starting on the 7th at 1... read more 15 December 2009 - Merry Christmas : Cricket Namibia would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May everyone enjoy the Festive Seas... read more CN Home Player Profiles Player Tributes Photo Gallery Board Members Cricket Clubs Development History Contact Us You are Here : Home Page > Development Development Development An Overview of Development OF Cricket in Namibia Mini-Cricket Training OF Coaches And Administration Highly Talented Players Transformation The Practise AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT OF CRICKET IN NAMIBIA The purpose of the development of cricket in Namibia includes many aspects such as introducing the game to the people of Namibia with the emphasis on previous disadvantaged communities, the training of coaches and administrators, the introduction of proper league systems at under age groups, the identification of highly talented players and the exposure of such players to a higher level of coaching and competition. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a regular supply of highly talented and skilled players to our members (clubs) which members in turn form the foundation of our national team. It is important that all concerned should realize that such aims and objectives, cannot be reached overnight but that we are looking at a long term “investment” and that it is and will be a very costly exercise. Hence long term corporate sponsorship is a must for such a development plan. The Board has approved a development plan in 2002 that outlines the basic steps to achieve these objectives. It includes the following: - back to top - MINI-CRICKET: The purpose of mini-cricket is multifold. 1. It is used to introduce an affordable form of cricket to all the people of Namibia that can be played almost any where; 2. It provides a opportunity to introduce new coaches and administrators to the game; 3. Highly talented players can be identified from as young as seven years of age; 4. Players are introduced to the game at least three years earlier than in the past which results in a much higher level of skills when the players start to play orthodox cricket . This program is mainly run by the development officers appointed by the Board. During the last year the program has been extended to a total of six of the political regions and the aim is to extend it to at least three other regions during 2005. In the existing regions, the first two objectives have been reached with all most 50 schools that participate with trained coaches. In the Oshana region where the program has commenced in October 2002, objectives 3 and 4 have also been reached. In the Khomas and Erongo region, the latter two objectives will be reached early in 2005. - back to top - TRAINING OF COACHES AND ADMINSTRATORS: The training of coaches and administrators forms the foundation and backbone of any development of this nature. The success of the program depends on them. That is then also the reason why the development officers are mostly working with coaches. It is important to train and identify highly talented coaches with the view of exposing them to further levels of coaching. The aim is to eventually provide above average coaches at junior level to ensure highly skilled players to our members. Since October 2002 no less that 127 teachers completed a level 0 (mini-cricket) coaching course and more that 80 are still actively involved. No less than fourteen level 1 coaches have been trained. Committees has been formed or are in the process of being formed to expose such teachers to the administration of the game. An administration course will be presented early in 2005 to introduce these administrators to basic club level administration. Once again it the aim is to provide a sound administration basis at junior level that will naturally follow on to the members of the Board. - back to top - HIGHLY TALANTED PLAYERS: It is a fact that less than 5% of u/13 players in Namibia eventually ends up playing club cricket. This largely due to the fact that we loose and /or share highly talented players to or with other sports codes from u/13-level up to u/19-level. At the same time these highly talented players do not acquire the skills required to play on international level or even club level when they reach the age of 17 to 19. This problem needs to be addressed as we are currently loosing thousands of dollars of “investment in players” made by coaches, schools and the Board. At the same time we do appear not to be very competitive on the international scene with our older age group teams. It also results in a lesser skilled player becoming available to our members and national side. The short term solution to the problem is to identify a group of approximately 22 highly talented players in every age group and to expose these players to specialized coaching and a higher level of competition through the year, lets say once a month with accelerated clinics during the cricket season. The appointment of a national coach makes this possible and he will be visiting the regions on a regular basis. In the long term the idea is to identify highly talented players in groups of approximately 22 in every region from as young as age 7 and to expose these players to a higher level of coaching. In addition, a strong regional competition must be put in place that is played through out the year to expose these players to a higher level of competition from which a final group of 22 can be identified in respect of each age group from age 13. As these players are exposed to higher levels of coaching and competition, it is envisaged that more of these players will continue to play cricket after school and that they will be more skilled than before. It is also most likely that players will make a choice between sport codes at a much earlier stage and will start to specialize in one or two codes. It is of utmost importance that we must realize that we do not need to “invent the wheel” again. Similar type of programs have work in various countries all over the world and the successes of it is clearly acknowledge in Africa. - back to top - TRANSFORMATION: The transformation of the game to reflect to population demographics of the country is and will probably remain a very continuous issue for some time and the Board has no doubt in respect of its social responsibility in this regard. It has been stated publicly that that the Board is committed to deal with this issue and to resolve it. At the same time the Board accepts the fact that it cannot be achieved in one or two years and that it has a responsibility to closely monitor the situation on a regular basis. The Board has resolved to follow a “common sense” approach in this regard. The mini-cricket program has been directed to schools where the majority of learners and teachers are of color. The extension of the program to orthodox cricket in the Oshana region, indicated that the program is successful in bringing through players of color. In fact, 14 of the 15 identified players, were players of color. It is expected that in other regions, similar or results very close to it will be achieved when the program is introduced during next year in that regions. The expansion of the program to the other regions will definitely increase the number of players of color within the next two years. The challenge for the Board will however be to retain these players for the future. The only way to do it is by ensuring that proper leagues and tournaments in all the regions of the country and that strong regional leagues or tournaments are being played. Current statistics show that at least 6 of the regional teams created in terms of the program, will predominantly consist of players of color. At the same time the number of players of color in the other regional teams will increase. This was already proven at the u/13 national trails by the regional teams of the Karas and Erongo regions, which included more than 50% of players of color. Transformation however extents further than just players of color. It also includes coaches and administrators. In this regard the Board has gone a long way. It is for this reason that the training of coaches and administrators have been receiving preference above the coaching of individual learners. Once again the challenge lies in bringing these coaches and administrators through to club and national level. This can only be achieved by appointing these coaches and administrators as coaches and managers of regional teams which in turn necessitates the proper identifying and training of the coaches and administrators. The members (club) also has a social responsibility to embrace these officials as they come through and to make them part of their clubs. - back to top - THE PRACTISE: It is often said that “all is easier said than done”, which is very true. The Board is in the process of drafting and preparing a comprehensive guideline for the whole of the country which will hopefully be circulated before December 2004. The purpose of guideline will solely be to put practice the basic principals as set out above. Our members (clubs) and the game of cricket will only benefit from the development program if it is implemented properly . 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