So here we are! Not long until this mixed group of experienced volunteers and first timers all head out to Rwanda to do something truly amazing! Let's meet the team and find out who's who on this journey…. #Invincibles
Rich Davies, Team Tutor
I've been involved with the charity from their first project to Kenya and am about to undertake my 12th trip but my first time to Rwanda. A varied career of Army, pro cricket, sales rep, trucker and then 28 years as a school cricket professional, early retirement and now part time cricket coach. I began my love affair with Africa and their people back in 1980 playing in South Africa, then Gambia in 1990, Uganda from 1992 travelling regularly there to help start their youth programme in schools and Kenya from 2002 working with Martin Bentley, Headmaster of Greensteds School in Nakuru, a colleague of mine at Lancing College for 10 years and a great supporter of the charitys' work in the Nakuru district. My job as team tutor is to make sure you are all working hard in the baking sun as I sit in the shade of a large tree and issue orders. The more drinks you buy me the longer you are invited to sit under the tree with me. Ooopps!! The CDM is with us for the first week so the tree thing is the second week as I'm the hardest working one for the first week. Be warned, Lee is a hustler on the pool table. Don't let that innocent face, quiet demeanor and shy nature fool you.
Jonathan Todd, Project Leader
AKA Jono. I’m 22, Deputy Manager with Marstons Inns and Taverns and from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. I’m a returning volunteer having visited Rwanda twice in 2011 with both Spring and Autumn trips. Cricket is in my blood, with my uncle (Paul Todd) playing professional cricket with Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan. When I first started playing cricket I never thought I would be coaching it never mind in Africa. I went to college to study activity leadership which enabled me to gain a basic coaching qualification to coach in primary schools. In 2008 I became a project development officer and a partnership coach for the Bolsover and District School Sport Partnership.
Ajay Sharma, Cricket Development Manager
I'm the new Head of Cricket Development at CWB and will be joining you guys for your first week (following a week at a Ugandan project). I will be waiting at Kigali airport on the 3rd March when you arrive with a gaggle of welcoming Rwandans. I'm the Director of two sports consultancies, one that addresses inequality and the other that uses sport as a tool to develop communities and tackle issue based disadvantage. The work of CWB fits in perfectly with that ethos. I'm President of my village cricket club and still play the odd game. I did have a cricket coaching qualification equal to what is now UKCC Level 1 but that lapsed before you were born Adam/Jono! Despite my years, I still have lots of energy… Rather like a caffeinated Tigger!! I'll try not to bounce around too much though…
Adam McWalter, CWB Volunteer (Blogger)
I’m 22 and currently work in admin/reception at Enki Medical Practice w/ Zero Tolerance Project, part of the Vitality Partnership in Handsworth. I’m a born and bred Brummie and this is my first trip with CWB. I have always played cricket and I am currently “plying my trade” with Marston Green CC and the West Midlands Police Veterans CC (Ringer alert!). My coaching experience is limited to volunteering at St Alphege’s School, coaching up to 90 kids over 2 sessions as a qualified ECB Level 1 coach. Top tweeter, hash tag hero and now to come, two weeks of blogging brilliance! I studied BTEC Sports and Science through college and from the age of 18, gained managerial experience in my previous job. Hopefully, the leadership and problem solving skills coming from this will stand me in good stead in Rwanda. With this trip, I’m looking to make a difference; make new, lifelong friendships and experience something completely unknown! May this be the first of many trips!
Gary Shankland, CWB Volunteer (Media)
I'm Gary Shankland, a first time volunteer from Hertfordshire. I came to be on this trip via the combination of a Mike Gatting after dinner speech, too many drinks and a case of mistaken identity. Anyway, now I am here and having completed the training weekend, I'm raring to go and couldn't be more pleased to be involved. I have always loved cricket and played for a number of years, albeit very much confined to village sides. I don't have any formal coaching experience, but hope to more than make up for that with enthusiasm. I cannot wait for the trip to start and to play a small part in continuing the excellent work of CWB in Rwanda. It's bound to be fun and to provide some memorable moments, but at the heart of the trip is the chance to make a difference. Look what you started Mr Gatting!
Christopher Haines, CWB Volunteer (HIV/Aids)
I am leading on the HIV/AIDS message while in Rwanda. I heard about CWB from Bumble on Twitter. I followed the link and liked what I saw. This is my first trip with CWB and my first trip to Rwanda. I am currently working for Westminster City Council in Special Educational Needs and I have worked in education since I left university. I have had a connection with Africa since an early age; I lived in Zambia for about 5 years when I was a child and have since visited South Africa and Tunisia in the last few years. I am very much looking forward to seeing Rwanda and I think we can make a huge contribution to positive change for a lot of people. While I am out there I am going to be making sure the message is sinking in and that the coaches and children understand that the cricket and the HIV/AIDS messages need to be taken together.
George Perceval, CWB Volunteer (Welfare)
I'm 19 years old and currently working 4 jobs whilst trying to decide what I want to do with my future. I had my ECB level 1 coaching award for about a year and a half and since then I have been coaching some of the youth teams and quick cricket groups at my local cricket club The Lee CC. I'm an experienced cricketer been playing cricket since the age of 10 and in the men's first team for the past 2 years. I captained my age group for 4 years. Hoping to bring fun and laughter to the team and looking to making long life friends. I know when to be serious and when to have a laugh, looking forward to the experience and can't wait to get out there and start.
Lee Booth, CWB Volunteer (Media and Communications for CWB)