Produce good cricketers than simply winning matches, says head coach Gary Kirsten

Thursday, 28 May 2026 03:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka cricket team head coach Gary Kirsten addresses the coaches

School head coaches from All-island Divisions 1 and 2 who attended the program

SLC Transformation Committee launches program to enhance school cricket coaching standards

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the direction of the Cricket Transformation Committee, launched a special program aimed at educating and developing school cricket coaches in the country.

The inaugural session of the program was held on 25 May at the High Performance Centre of the SLC, with the participation of 74 coaches representing Division 1 and 2 schools.

Sri Lanka men’s team head coach Gary Kirsten conducted a two-hour session for the participating coaches.

During the session, Kirsten shared valuable insights into modern coaching methods and highlighted key areas coaches should focus on in order to nurture talented and promising young cricketers. He emphasised the importance of creating a friendly and supportive environment for children while teaching them cricketing skills.

Kirsten also noted that coaches must continuously improve their own skill levels in order to develop successful players. He encouraged school coaches to focus more on producing good cricketers rather than simply concentrating on winning matches.

“As a coach, you must be like a music conductor. We are making everyone work together as well as they can work, and sometimes, we have to challenge, but more times than not, we have to make the environment enjoyable,” said Kirsten. “We should have the skills to progress players and make them improve by presenting them with an environment that they enjoy but can improve at the same time. Not by presenting them with an environment that they don’t enjoy because you think that’s the way they are going to improve.”

Joining Kirsten at the program were national bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk and national fielding and spin bowling coach Jordan Gregory, who also shared their expertise and experiences with the school coaches.

SLC Cricket Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny, who is also a member of the Cricket Transformation Committee, did the introductory speech of the program.

The program also featured an interactive Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with Kirsten and further enhance their knowledge.

This program will continue periodically, with the objective of developing highly skilled and knowledgeable coaches within the Sri Lankan school cricket system.