Three local coaches have received their cricket accreditation and Elite High-Performance qualifications through online courses, the Bermuda Cricket Board announced yesterday.

Shane Hollis, Courtney Trott and Calvin Waldron are the first to complete their accreditation, with Waldron also completing his elite course after being recommended by the BCB high-performance committee.

In 2020, the BCB launched a partnership with global cricket organisation, CoachED, that allowed member clubs to enter one person per club (male or female) into the programme at a reduced rate.

The CoachED cricket course accreditation is a comprehensive online course designed to equip cricket coaches with the most effective and relevant coaching skills, drills and information, therefore providing them with all they need when working with cricket players of all age groups and levels.

Waldron said: “The courses were very insightful and gave me a lot more knowledge about the sport of cricket from all aspects, the accreditation course and most of the content was familiar from when I completed my Level 3 certification course.

“The Elite course was a bit more challenging as they dug deeper into the sport; not just the fielding, bowling and batting, but it also covered such aspects as fitness, mental, nutrition and player/coach relationships.

“Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the courses as it opened my eyes to a lot of things that we, coaches in Bermuda, may not consider or even implement.”

Waldron added: “The instructor, Gary Kirsten, is a highly known former international player and respected coach with a wealth of knowledge. While the other two hosts are up and coming cricket pioneers within their own right. I would encourage any coach who has the ability and time to commit to the course, to sign up.

“I will be looking to impart some of the tools and knowledge I’ve learnt from these courses with my team and players in the future.”

Allan Douglas, the BCB High-Performance chairman, is pleased for the success of the local coaches.

“It is wonderful that we now have three coaches that are qualified, committed and ready to contribute to push cricket forward,” Douglas said.

“The board now, according to our strategic plan, is looking to increase our pool of active coaches and we can now move them into higher roles such as our men, women’s and Under-19 national teams. Congratulations to them all.”

Arnold Manders, the BCB president, added: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our first three coaches to complete the CoachEd Accreditation course.

“In particular Mr. Cal Waldron, who completed the Accreditation course and the Elite coaching course in a calendar year. What he has been able to achieve has been quite phenomenal.”

By February 28, the BCB will be hosting an informative Zoom presentation for new participants and coaches. For more information or to get on the board’s mailing list, contact the BCB at info@cricket.bm or call 292-8958