To ensure locally-based coaches benefit from this wealth of cricketing content, the Gary Kirsten Foundation (GKF) has announced it will invest in 300 CoachED licences for up-and-coming coaches across the country. Developed by a team of internationally-experienced coaches, CoachED provides access to quality cricketing resources, placing newly-accredited coaches at the forefront of the modern game.

Madoda Mahlutshana, trustee of the GKF and a former school principal, described CoachED as an excellent platform for ‘the expansion of cricket across the length and breadth of South Africa’. Commenting on the sponsorship of these 300 CoachED licences, Mahlutshana said: “This is an amazing opportunity that gives a sense of hope and extends a much-needed lifeline particularly during this time of anxiety and uncertainty amidst the coronavirus pandemic.” 

He explained that this was a really worthwhile opportunity to bring quality cricket development to township and rural communities that haven’t benefitted from such training in the past: “We’re very excited about the use of this platform which creates virtual accessibility without any physical contact necessary. This is the sort of innovation in line with GKF objectives which upskills youngsters through cricket on a massive scale. This platform will reach cultures and communities in the far corners of the country through a highly cost-effective mechanism without compromising on quality. This truly is a game changer, not only for South African cricket, but South Africa’s most disadvantaged communities as well.”

The accessibility of structured, quality cricketing resources to all South African communities has underpinned the creation of CoachED. The partnership with GKF will see Gary Kirsten working alongside trusted advisors and coaches to identify 300 sponsorship recipients comprising a mixture of coaching capacities - from those who’ve just started in the system through to those with more experience but without any formal coaching accreditation. 

All the recipients would have displayed an interest in cricket coaching within the townships, having come from disadvantaged communities of South Africa. Empowered with the CoachED accreditation, the coaches are likely to find a solid income stream while also elevating the level of cricket and enhancing skills in their relevant communities.

Tim Human, Business Development Manager for the GKF, echoed Mahlutshana’s sentiments saying that the CoachED platform would offer the foundation’s coaches access to world-class coaching content. 

“The coaches are the lifeblood of the foundation as they are on the ground every day developing the next generation of township players,” said Human. “The fact that CoachEd has made 300 licenses available to township and previously disadvantaged coaches will apply to both our work in Khayelitsha, as well as coaches in similar positions in townships across the country. The more skills and knowledge they have at their disposal, the better the chances of developing talent from the township to go onto bigger things in the cricketing world.

“Digital solutions like this are a great way to level the playing field and make sure that talented individuals from disadvantaged communities get the same opportunities as their more privileged counterparts in the traditional school and club systems,” he continued. “We are looking forward to this collaboration as another step towards creating cricket excellence in township areas and allowing this untapped talent every opportunity to flourish.”

Gary Kirsten, whose extensive coaching career includes that of two national sides and several T20 franchises, said the launch of the innovative CoachED platform is going to empower township coaches in a way that was never before thought possible.

“The sponsorship of these 300 coaching licences is just the starting point of the initiative which aims to give a wider range of coaches an opportunity to upskill their knowledge,” said Kirsten. “Far too often, people are unable to benefit from such cricket skills’ development, for a variety of reasons. It’s great to have an online version that allows coaches to develop their abilities using cutting-edge techniques and the latest available information to keep ahead of the game.”