By Greg Dawson - Republished from Outright 54 (Spring 2023)
In the ever-evolving world of cricket coaching, a seismic shift has propelled the focus beyond the realm of mere technical prowess and tactical acumen, to a more holistic approach that includes the cultivation of essential soft skills. The contemporary coach, now more than ever, is tasked with orchestrating a symphony of positive team dynamics, establishing cultures deeply rooted in core values and fostered by the strength of personal relationships. The alchemy of clear communication, compassionate comprehension, and a profound sense of purpose now construct the very foundation of these exceptional team environments. This is why the importance of these non-technical attributes for coaches cannot be overstated. Cricket coaches who excel in soft skills are emerging as true game-changers, shaping players' careers and the trajectory of the sport itself.
Having witnessed the evolution of the cricket coaching landscapes over recent years, New Zealand Cricket (NZC), in conjunction with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University, have entered a three-way partnership to unveil the pioneering ‘Coaching & Leadership Development Programme (CLDP)’ initiative. The programme is designed to facilitate the learning and understanding of key skills and knowledge required to be a successful coach or leader in professional cricket. The programme is designed specifically for elite cricketers, recognises the competencies developed through their experience as high performing athletes, and supplements these attributes with formal knowledge that will support their development as future coaches or leaders.
The CLDP consists of several elements, including an academic component involving Massey University papers that focus on key coaching skillsets such as fostering a team identity, communication, critical thinking, and sport psychology. On completion these four academic papers, graduates of the CLDP will be awarded a Certificate of Arts from Massey University, which will enable the recipients to cross credit and continue further tertiary education, if desired.
Another critical component of the CLDP is the ‘Immersion Project’, which involves players being immersed in high-performance environments outside of cricket for an extended period, this could be in the corporate world, or in other sporting organisations. The objective behind this immersive experience is to extract a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and solutions that thrive in diverse professional landscapes. From discerning the intricacies of cultivating psychological safety within teams, to mastering the art of navigating tough conversations, this project opens a corridor of inquiry into the methodologies employed by organisational leaders across various leadership domains. These observations, moulded through the prism of a cricket coaching perspective, are juxtaposed against players' personal coaching philosophies, fostering unique insights and reflections.
The final component of the programme is a residential workshop where leading industry architects of high-performance environments present a myriad of experiences, wisdom and strategies that players can incorporate into their own coaching journeys. These sessions aren't mere presentations; they are interactive, responsive, and bespoke to each participant's journey.
The inaugural cohort of the CLDP began their journey in February 2023. While the cohort may be modest in size as a pilot initiative, its composition exudes unparalleled experience and distinction. This year’s cohort is graced by the presence of several illustrious New Zealand White Ferns. Recently, I had the distinct privilege to engage in a candid conversation with two legends of the game, Amy Satterthwaite and Sophie Devine, as they shared their insights and aspirations around their CLDP experience so far. I began by asking them both what aspects of the programme they thought they would enjoy and benefit from the most. Amy thought that:
“Having the opportunity to complete the course alongside other present or past players in similar stages of their career is incredibly exciting. Being able to bounce ideas off each other and share our learnings and experiences will only enhance the programme and the benefits of it.”
For Sophie, the aspect of the course she was really looking forward to, and thought would bring the greatest benefits, was the ‘Immersion Project’:
“The opportunity to go into another environment and look at it from a different perspective and reflect back on my own experiences will no doubt provide a great chance to challenge and expand my coaching philosophy and knowledge.’
Amy’s sentiments aligned with Sophie’s, expressing excitement for the upcoming ‘Immersion Project’ opportunity:
“I'm really looking forward to the immersion project. Having the opportunity to see how other sporting teams or businesses go about building their culture and getting the best out of their teams will be extremely interesting and beneficial. Whilst we may not be from the same sport, we can experience similar issues and situations, so learning how others do things such as getting a new team to gel, having tough conversations, building trust and respect, will be invaluable.”
Having accomplished and distinguished cricketers, such as Amy and Sophie, express genuine excitement about the CLDP was reaffirming for all involved, and shows that our elite players recognise the benefits of such coaching development initiatives. Their eagerness not only underscores the course's potential but also attests to the importance these coach development initiatives hold for elite players transitioning into mentors and coaches of the future. This was echoed again when I asked Sophie if she would recommend the CLDP course to other aspiring coaches. Sophie said:
“I would 100% recommend to other coaches. For players in particular that are looking at transitioning into coaching this course provides a range of different learning opportunities that builds on previous knowledge and is done with fantastic support wrapped round you.”