Q: What was your original motivation to join HPA 2019 and your expectations of the program leading into the start of it?

A: I applied for the HPA to see if I could play at a higher level as I wanted to pursue a future at the professional level, having not been involved in a county system for almost 6 years I had to rely on club nets. I was lucky enough to be playing with Aneesh Kapil who was hungry and knew what it took to get to the next level and he recommended me to apply.

I also saw it as a sink or swim kind of experience where I will learn whether I have a future in the game as I had a bit of self-doubt of not being good enough after not being in a professional set up for so long and having not been signed at 17 or 18 years old.

I had the hunger and was ready to soak up all the coach’s information in order to know what I have to work on and with my performances towards the end of the academy, I feel more confident to prove these doubts wrong.

The academy was what I expected and more, I had a pretty good idea as I had watched pretty much all the YouTube and Facebook videos on the high performance academy and had Aneesh telling me what it would be like. The attention to detail, basics and the standards expected from yourself is what really stood out.

Q: Tell me about your experience at HPA?

My experience at the HPA was amazing and better than I ever thought it could be, mainly due to the progression I felt I had made during my time there working with amazing coaches such as Adrian Birrell, Ryan Cook, Gary Kirsten, Darren Stevens, Chris Nash, Garreth Von Hoesslin and Andrew Wylie.

I felt like every session was a meaningful session and I always learned a lot and took a lot out of each session with everyone. I have a notebook full of key learnings, in there is a lot of technical and tactical things such as getting my head into the balls and not being upright and a change to my trigger which all seemed to click about 3 weeks in.

It was great to experience cricket in another country with coaches who had a unique way of coaching, not the typical English way, and seeing how different the approaches can be. My only regret was not having longer on the academy than the 8 weeks. I felt very privileged to have been there and been able to have the opportunity to learn from such great coaches.

I went through some ups and downs as well, I felt I did struggle the first week and it did get me a bit down in frustration. I remember Adi saying to me,“sometimes you have to get worse before you get better”. I felt that was the case for me as I got my head down and took everything on board from all the coaches and I really began to find my feet 3 weeks in. I feel like my bowling and fielding has improved drastically too since my time at the academy and since being back.

Q: Were there any highlights that stood out for you during your time at the HPA?

Meeting Gary Kirsten and having 1 on 1’s with him was amazing! I learnt so much from him every time. In fact, all the coaches in my 1 on 1’s were great. I remember one session I had with Darren Stevens, he said some very encouraging things, and asked what made me the player I was that day 6 weeks in from the one he saw at the start. It was nice for him to notice the improvements in my game.

From a playing point of view, scoring 70 not out in the Kent Inter squad match as well as scoring a hundred for Claremont CC was very satisfying.

Coaching the kids at the Gary Kirsten Foundation in Khayelitsha was very humbling and eye opening and to be honest just being able to play cricket and work at your game every day, Monday to Friday, was an amazing experience, I love the game and being around it so much, talking and taking part in it so intensely was a highlight on its own.

Q: Since leaving in March – what did you do in the lead up to the season?

A: In the lead up the season, I attended preseason nets with my club side Wolverhampton. The weather from arriving back in England meant it was mostly restricted to indoor training. I took the intensity and work ethic from the HPA into my sessions. A big thing for me was caring about each and every ball in the nets and making sure every session was meaningful. I worked at the areas I had to started to work on in Cape Town such as developing my sweep shot and pull shot.

Q: How has the season gone so far?

A: Playing for Wolverhampton in the Birmingham league, it started off very promising with a couple of 40’s but poor execution and shot selection got me out. I need to be greedier and ruthless and make starts into big scores, this was frustrating but also promising as my team mates and even spectators had noticed big improvements in my game.

So far I have scored 316 runs at an average of 31.6 with 3 fifties and highest score of 99 (where I got run out). I have only had 10 innings because a month into the season I suffered from a liver virus causing jaundice, so I was in and out of the hospital for 7 to 8 weeks with multiple blood tests weekly and told not to play. This was difficult, because I hadn’t been training or at work in the week but giving it all on a Saturday and Sunday for the club. It was a very mentally challenging period in my career in cricket as I had been very high off the improvements made on my time at the HPA, which gave me a lot of confidence to go out there keep working hard and score big runs, I felt like the illness came at the worst time!

However, cricket is a sport you fail more times than you ever succeed and you learn to pick yourself up and keep going and remembering the hard work put in will come good and to have the attitude of “never going away”. Only a few weeks ago my blood tests returned to normal and as a precaution they will be checking my blood again in a couple of months before finally discharging me.

The overall experience has made me more hungry and just to use this set back to come back stronger as there will always be set backs along the way to chasing your dreams.

Q: What are your aspirations for the rest of the season?

A: After the illness, it feels like the season is only just beginning for me now. I’m finally feel healthier and able to train how I was before and coming off the back of a 55 and 99 this Saturday, I feel confident about working hard and finishing very strong and hopefully scoring a few hundreds in the last half of the season and make match winning performances.

Q: Do you have any future plans coming up for the off season?

A: My future plans are to attend the HPA again in 2020 and continue where I left off making positive strides to improving and continue the great relationship with the coaches there who I feel like have got to know me and my game very well. Having learned more about my game and what it takes to take it the next level to keep improving and push for a place in a county 2nd team and impress with performances and work ethic.

For more information on the HPA 2020 and to apply, click here.

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Looking to continue work on his leg spin as well as develop his batting was his goal when reaching South Africa and the work that he put in over the 8 week program was often beyond the call of duty. Philippe was often seen running additional laps in the heat and target bowling long into the afternoons with fellow Dutch “A” player Julian De Mey. This determination was well rewarded when producing match winning figures for the GKC in their match against UCT taking 6 for 27 in 8.5 overs in February and he continued to find improvements with the ball with strong mentorship from Adi Birrell, current Hampshire CCC Head Coach.

Philippe focused on his playing of the short ball as well as construction of innings in white ball cricket. “I have been trying to keep up the skills I learnt and the exercises we have been given, I have not only been doing this, but also trying to implant it into our club trainings which we have all benefited from”, reflected Philippe, who has been playing for the Netherlands U19s and Dutch “A” team since his return.

He took a 4 wicket haul against Guernsey for the A side but as always is trying to improve himself saying, “I am starting to feel a little bit more confident and my batting is going better, I want to bowl with lots of confidence”. His future plans are to go overseas again this year to play cricket combined with studies.

The GKC coaches are looking forward to meeting up again with Philippe in Holland this coming week as part of the annual High Performance Camp at the VRA ground in Amsterdam. He heaped praises for these coaches saying, “It was an absolute pleasure to work with the best coaches in the world and the professional way they go about the game. The time the coaches spend with you and the way they listen gives you a feeling of being understood. They work hard and are always ready.”

Applications for the GKC High Performance Academy 2020 are open, click here to enroll!

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Having recently concluded a High Performance Camp in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, as part of a launch event for the partnership of Gary Kirsten Cricket with Starfield Sports, an academy involved in various sports with cricket as its flagship, I was amazed by the unbridled passion and love for the game which I saw in this developing nation at the grassroots level. Both players and coaches exuded an enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge which was truly remarkable and the signs of a spark which could alight something special in the region.

It was certainly an incredible experience for the cricketers who attended the 5 day program, getting to work with the GKC High Performance coaching team. The cricketing system that Starfield have put in place has all the makings of a pipeline which if managed correctly will reap great rewards in years to come. Emphasis and investment is also being directed at the coaches and there is no illusion that they will be key drivers of the success of this program.

Prior to the Camp, the GKC conducted a Coach Education workshop for 25 coaches who are involved in the setup for Kenyan Cricket and Starfield Sports. These 2 days were enlightening and covered a range of topics from player management to practical competencies for a coach as well as the relevant fundamentals of the technical aspects of the game. Having received their accreditations, these coaches will no doubt be more confident and competent to continue to improve themselves and the players that they work with at all levels of the game.

Famous coach, John Wooden, was famously quoted for saying, “No written word, nor spoken plea, can teach our youth what they should be. Nor all the books on all the shelves, it’s what the teachers are themselves” and no saying is more fitting for a GKC coaching team that left their mark on this African region with energy and expertise which will last for years to come in the hearts and minds of the players and coaches. Kenya also made its impression on the GKC coaches who left with a fulfillment of a hard week of work and some impressive sock tans and croaky voices as a reminder… and isn’t this really what it is all about!

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The first 2 days saw 30 players attending a High Performance camp in the Hague based at HCC. Players in attendance were from various clubs and were treated to skills and middle based training delivered by Gary Kirsten, Ryan Van Niekerk and Garreth Von Hoesslin. The sessions, which were attended by both boys and girls, involved drills and match scenarios as well as energetic fielding games. “The players were like sponges for information and it was great to connect with those attending”, said Ryan Van Niekerk, Head Coach of GKC India.

A short trip down the highway and the following 3 days were based in Amstelveen at VRA in Amsterdam. The camp started with the Dutch U17 team consisting ofmany players that have worked with the GKC coaches on previous trips. “It was a brilliant opportunity to see how the players and the system have progressed over the years.” Ryan said, he continued, “The continuity of the players’ training programs and habits could be noticed immediately.”

In the afternoon, the Dutch National Team, who are preparing for a T20 International tournament in the UK later this month gained the services of Gary and the team to assist with their training. Thorough conversations were had regarding game strategy, modern trends in the T20 game and ways in which to practice them. Ryan Campbell, the Dutch National Coach and Gary facilitated a squad middle session using live scenarios which added great insight into the teams’ plans moving forward. A remainder of the players also upgraded their skill sets one on one in pressurized net drills which extracted valuable learning for the players.

The following two days were once again spent with the U17 team and their enthusiasm and energy shone through as they spent the days honing their craft in preparation for a white ball tour in the UK. Match strategies were developed with each player and attention was given to each individual through various interventions including skills, drills and match play.

Gary had heaps of praise and well wishes for the team, “Having worked with these players for a few years it is great to see their growth and we look forward to working with them again moving forward and wish them all the best for their upcoming tour”. He continued, “GKC has a strong relationship with the Flamingos and the KNCB, we love coming to Holland and we look forward to welcoming more Dutch players to the shores of Cape Town once again for the start of our High Performance Academy”.

Four of the current Dutch National team selected for the T20 tournament have trained with GKC during the HPA in Cape Town over the past 2 years. Stay posted for updates on www.garykirsten.com

The post GKC Netherlands Roadshow 2018 appeared first on Gary Kirsten Cricket.

“It is a great opportunity to work with the Bangladesh National team. I am looking forward to working with the players as well as the management staff. Coaching on the international circuit is new for me and I will need to learn quickly. Being within a new team environment and culture will be a fantastic experience. GKC has been the bedrock for much of my development as a coach and I continue to be involved in the programs which are run around the world. The GKC team are tight knit group and their support of me in this opportunity has been truly humbling.” Ryan said.

Gary Kirsten commented “It is fantastic news and a well deserved reward for an individual who served his time as a coach in many different spheres, and with many different teams and age groups. The time we had with the Hobart Hurricanes was a great opportunity for him to work in the performance space with a professional team. He has an incredible work ethic, with fantastic ideas on how to get value out of his coaching sessions. I have no doubt he will be well received in Bangladesh and do a great job.”

News credit https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/784539

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This is such an exciting opportunity for GKC as well as aspiring and upcoming Indian cricketers.

With Gary winning the 2011 World Cup it was inevitable that India would become a base for GKC said Head coach for GKC India, Ryan van Niekerk

He commented: “GKC is an international brand, and for the last four years we’ve been traveling internationally running high performance camps where we got to know the international space really well, and feel we have significant coaching value to add. We are very excited to start running high performance camps, private coaching, international camps and touring teams.”

The CEO of Gary Kirsten Cricket India, Mr Anand Mittal stated the need to establish the philosophy of Gary Kirsten Cricket in India. “Gary is loved by millions of cricket lovers in India, his contribution to Indian cricket is irreplaceable. To treasure this respect and love for the nation, and post discussion with Gary, we are 100% committed to this venture and in taking his cricket legacy ahead. Our focus will be to develop a team of coaches of the same values and under guidance of Gary.”

Mr Krish Roy, Head of Business and International Relations of GKCI also commented: “Having worked with Gary and his team over the years, I know how much a team matters to him. ‘Nothing revolves around an individual’ is a core value and keeping this in mind, our team will drive this cricket philosophy ahead.”

The post Gary Kirsten Cricket India Launch appeared first on Gary Kirsten Cricket.

“Gary Kirsten Cricket India recently embarked on a number of talent hunt events around India and we are pleased to have found a real interest. We are excited to see the young talent and abilities around these regions. It is a great opportunity for them to join the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy in Pune for specialised coaching. We hope to add real value to these young kids and help them grow in their cricket.” – Gary Kirsten

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The post Gary Kirsten Cricket talent hunt in India appeared first on Gary Kirsten Cricket.

“This partnership significantly elevates the coaching opportunities open to aspiring cricketers in the UAE through our Zayed Cricket Academy and underlines Abu Dhabi Cricket’s commitment to delivering sporting growth opportunities to the local community,” said Talal Al Hashemi, Board Member, ADC.

The partnership follows the success of a Gary Kirsten Camp held last Spring holiday in which youngsters under 14 honed their cricketing skills and understanding of the game. This winter ADC will work with Gary Kirsten Cricket to roll out High Performance Camps, for more senior cricketers who want to take their skills to the next level. The camps will run October 21 – 25 and October 28 – Nov 1.

“Gary Kirsten himself will be in Abu Dhabi to personally lead these camps,” explained Al Hashemi. “This means our enrolled cricketers will have the chance to learn from a true record breaker who is renowned for inspiring self-discipline amongst some of the world’s greatest players – a rare opportunity indeed.”

Gary Kirsten, the current Royal Challengers Bangalore batting coach in the Indian Premier League, is noted for his record-equalling score of 275 against England, an innings that lasted over 14 hours and 30 minutes. He still holds the record for the highest innings by a South African in a One Day International; 188 not-out made against the United Arab Emirates during the 1996 World Cup, which is the sixth highest innings of all time in One-Day International cricket, and the highest score in World Cup cricket history.

“I’ve been seriously impressed with the improvements to the Abu Dhabi Cricket infrastructure, in particular the facilities available to academy students and to the footballing community, which are now truly world-class,” said Gary Kirsten. “I’ve come here many times over the years, with England Lions and in other coaching capacities, and this is the best I’ve ever seen the facility. It’s fast becoming one of the world’s best cricketing facilities.”

“This partnership is something of a meeting of minds,” explained Matt Boucher, Acting CEO, ADC. “We both share a determination to enhance cricketing skills and make coaching opportunities available to as wide an audience as possible and develop tomorrow’s stars. We’re once again strengthening the Zayed Academy for Abu Dhabi’s community and for the first time we’ll be running High-Performance Camps with Gary Kirsten himself. These camps will be open to overseas applicants together with a range of attractive accommodation and destination travel packages.”

“It’s another fantastic partnership for us and represents a major stride forward in ADC’s journey to becoming a prestigious hub for international sport and in particular cricket, which will be further enhanced this year by our packed international cricket programme.”

This year Abu Dhabi Cricket’s newly expanded 25,000-seater Zayed Cricket Stadium will be co-hosting the prestigious Asian Cup and will once again be a welcome overseas home to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s bilateral series’ against Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re also working on launching a major new tournament initiative which will see some of the world’s cricketing legends descend on the UAE capital this winter, details of which we hope to unveil shortly,” explained Boucher.

For further information and to register for Zayed Cricket Academy or the Gary Kirsten High Performance Camp, please contact booking@abudhabicricket.ae.

For more information visit www.abudhabicricket.ae or call 800 ADCRICKET

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiCricket

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AbuDhabiCricket

Instagram: www.instagram.com/AbuDhabiCricket

#EveryDayIsGameDay

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With Gary winning the 2011 World Cup it was inevitable that India would become a base for GKC said Head coach for GKC India, Ryan van Niekerk

He commented: “GKC is an international brand, and for the last four years we’ve been traveling internationally running high performance camps where we got to know the international space really well, and feel we have significant coaching value to add. We are very excited to start running high performance camps, private coaching, international camps and touring teams.  ”

The CEO of Gary Kirsten Cricket India, Mr Anand Mittal stated the need to establish the philosophy of Gary Kirsten Cricket in India.  “Gary is loved by millions of cricket lovers in India, his contribution to Indian cricket is irreplaceable. To treasure this respect and love for the nation, and post discussion with Gary, we are 100% committed to this venture and in taking his cricket legacy ahead. Our focus will be to develop a team of coaches of the same values and under guidance of Gary.”

Mr Krish Roy, Head of Business and International Relations of GKCI also commented: “Having worked with Gary and his team over the years, I know how much a team matters to him. ‘Nothing revolves around an individual’ is a core value and keeping this in mind, our team will drive this cricket philosophy ahead.”

The post GKC launches academy in India appeared first on Gary Kirsten Cricket.