CWB – Kenya 2010

2 of these facts are almost true. The other is totally true:

1. There are 4.6 cars per square meter in Nairobi
2. There are 3.6 pot holes per square meter in Nairobi
3. Dr Aggrey School has an annual grant from the Education Dept of KSH 87,000. It has 350 pupils, so a grant of KSH 250 per head, which is GBP1.91.

Unfortunately number 3 is correct, although the other 2 are not far off! Which leads us to ask why there are so many speed humps in Nairobi. Maybe the money could be more wisely spent on education than bumps.

Anyhow, we looked forward to another 3 session day and started off at the Dr Aggrey Primary School where we were greeted (literally) by the whole school on the field and took quite some for the teacher to gain control and get the kids he wanted us to coach into the separate area of said field. He accomplished this by waving a huge stick and running around like a mad man. But it worked. The session went well with 32 kids coached and we left feeling like we had done a fine job.

On the way back to the hotel where we hoped to get 20 mins sit down, Francis from Cricket Kenya spotted a mini mart in a petrol station where we all adhered strictly to the new ICC nutrition guidelines for coaches and officials! Phil even had cheese and onion crisps to go with his kit kat as they contained vegetables (onions) and protein (cheese).

We left for the Pumwani Priamry School where we were met by Washington, the new teacher responsible for sport in this school. He was really keen though and certainly made the kids listen and pay attention. The session was great to be honest, definitely one of the better ones, with 50 boys and girls taking part.

After presenting Francis with a coaches tee shirt we headed off to the slum area again. Francis informed us he would not be staying with us and asked our driver, Two Teeth Pete, to take him to hospital as he believed he had malaria. He didn’t make as much of a fuss about it as Cheryl Cole did to be honest, but then again he is nowhere near as attractive.

Unfortunately, on the way back from dropping Francis off in hospital Two Teeth Pete (TTP) got lost. AFter completing a session with these kids, which it has to be said went much better than yesterdays, we were stood, only slightly sticking out like sore thumbs, frantically calling TTP to find out where the bloody hell he was. Much to our unbridled joy he turned up, albeit 15 minutes late. He then proceeded to get stuck in the worst traffic, in the worst area, with the worst driving any of had ever seen. We were stuck in the Somalian quarter of the slum outside the Mogadishu cafe! It was beyond words. The 7km to our hotel took nearly and hour and a half. It really wasnt the best end to what had been a really good day.



********Stop Press – We have a new Battery in the minibus***********

Early start for a number of us as we had to do the blog from the day before. Following this we headed off for todays coaching with the first starting at 11:00am. This was at Pangani Primary School and we set off in fine weather although cloudy. Having arrived we went to the Head Mistresses Office – our reputation obviously preceded us!

We then went out to the fields to set up and the kids we were due to coach started to appear. Expecting 30 – 45 we actually had 64 in front of us. Following the normal introduction from Stephen we went into a mass warm up with Ghazi. All kids moving and warmed up meant we could move into the skill sessions with firstly the front foot drive being led by Steve and all other coaches assisting. We followed this by splitting into 4 groups for skill sessions:

Pull Shor – Ghazi and Simon

Bowling – Stephen and Ben

Fielding Catching – Ed and Phil

Fielding – Steve

There were some very large birds hovering while we coached and during one of the bowling sessions with Stephen and Ben an eagle swooped down and plucked an item from the middle of the playing area – amazing for Stephen and Ben but totally ignored by the kids!

Sessions completed we had the summaries and were invited into the Head Mistresses office. once we were sat down we were very impressed to be given sandwiches and ‘buns’?? With a cup of tea this was really impressive and grately received as we had 3 sessions this day following each other this day.

We presented a signed bat to the Head Mistress which was greatly received. The Sports Master also presented Stephen with a letter listing various requirements for the school that maybe CWB could help with – included refurbishment and landscaping – fortunately the media centre was not included! This will be presented to Andy Hobbs when he arrives today!

We then had to leave and head for our second session of the day at Muslim Primary. However, we needed more water so Ed went back to the Hotel while the rest of the team went to the school. At Muslin we were taken to the fields to set up.

Many kids appeared with some moving kit, etc. This was looking to be a ‘challenge’ and we had 57 kids at the welcome. Warm up by Phil which included which involved kids leaving and joining the session! We did still end up with 57 for the driving session by Steve with other coaches supporting.

First time we had seen some older kids ‘pulling rank’ on the younger kids and we had to be very firm in our work. Split into our Group sessions delivered by all of the coaches. Finished with thanks and back to head Mistress office with the request for astro pitch, etc – only joking!

We then had to move quickly to the third session at Mathare Youth Sports grounds in the ‘slum’. This area had over 1 million people living in it. Picked up lady from govt who was working with the area. The kids had not played cricket before and not sure how many expected. We had an amazing journey to get there with some very ramshackled buildings and loads of waste.

We took over the football pitch and actually had about 40 kids in the end although this varied over the hour. Quick welcome and then decided to run a non stop cricket game with all coaches assisting. Lots and lots of older kids watching and almost involved. We moved on to a fielding session with catching which all kids really enjoyed and then drew to a conclusion with quick summary as we are due back today.

Stephen, Ghazi, Phil and Ben

We awoke feeling very bleary eyed. Very heavy rain from 4:00am had meant we were all awake very early and the guttering had acted as a waterfall. Also we had very loud Kenyan Army staying at the hotel for the evening!

After breakfast we still had some drizzle in the air but the main rain had stopped – as usual we bump started the mini bus and set off. We had to avoid various rivers of rain water flooding down the main roads (road is a broad use of this word) but the journey was only short and we arrived the rain had cleared up totally.

The school was a ‘Colonial Style’ dating from 1940 and everything was very formal, but really friendly. We met the Sports master and deputy Head who informed us that the school also catered for Special Needs – both regular and autistic. They then led us out to the field so we could set up for 11:00am. The facilities were obviously wet but there was a large hard area in the middle of the area that allowed us set up where we wanted.

We got all the equipment set out but this did prove very challenging as a large crowd of spectators was building up meaning that stumps, bats cones, etc were all finding their way to other parts of the field. Great fun though in chasing all of these down!

We had 42 Children to coach, both boys and girls, and as usual we started with introductions and then got cracking with a warm up from Simon. This was then followed by us breaking up into specialist skill sets with Steve taking a front foot drive session, Ghazi on bowling duties, Simon and Phil on fielding(catching) and Ben and Stephen on fielding skills (pick up, hitting stumps, etc).

We finished with photos, thanks, etc and we were then summoned to the Head Masters office (see the photo of us all sat out side waiting for our punishment!). We thought we better ‘butter her up’ so we all signed a bat on behalf of CWB before we entered the office. The room was like going back in time with a plethora of trophies amassed over a number of years since inception of the school. We were thanked and then presented the bat.

Back to the Hotel now, with a further bump start and ready for the afternoon.

Phil, Simon and Steve went in search of some extra Sports equipment for the afternoon sessions but only managed to find a very undercooked, suspect, lunch. In the meantime Ben, Ed and Ghazi got back into the next edition of Inspector Mwala on TV – must be seen to be believed!!!

We headed off to Highway Secondary in the afternoon which was the longest journey yet. Lots of traffic and lots of roadworks – just like the UK!. Getting good at bump starts now but we did seen another mini bus doing a reverse bump start – we have tasked our driver with achieving this later in the week.

Arrived at school and met deputy head and Sports master before going out to the play area. This was a large grass area, mainly football pitches, with a small hard mud area for a wicket. Intro as usual and then a Ghazi warm up – during this we heard lots of shouts from Ghazi of ‘Gotcha” (Swahili for stop).

We then a full session for all 30 lads led by steve doing the front foot drive. All other Coaches took a small group during this working on the main skills. This worked really well and will be used again.

We the started splitting the lads into 4 groups where up on Ed decided to grab anyone walking past including two lads on their way home with back packs on!

Ghazi and Simon carried out a pull shot session, Steve carried out fielding, Ed and Stephen catching, and Phil carried out a bowling (grenade throwing!!) session.

We had the normal summary and thanks and commented on some very good players, particularly one bowler and also a lad who managed to take the mickey out of the Scottish National team as Kenya would always beat them!! Egg on his face when the first catch sent to him by Stephen (lives in Scotland) was dropped!!

Moved inside to speak to the sports master and were given a drink and biscuits – this was a really great touch. We also presented a bat on behalf of CWB to him.

Back to the hotel via the many street sellers (you could get anything from flowers, maps, knives, etc). We were told to keep valuables away from our laps if windows were open. Having arrived back, after what seemed like an eternity we had a well deserved Tusker (local, very good, beer) and headed off for a Curry. Great food, nice change, and then back to the Hotel for the first Half of Spurs v Inter Milan. Then bed as we have 3 sessions tomorrow!

Stephen, Ben and Ghazi

Following breakfast which still must be eggs with something we were due to coach at Karura Forest primary school.

We started with our normal interesting journey – this time we had to roll down the hill in the mini bus to get a ‘bump’ start. Today the driver thought he had a formula ! car mixed with 4 wheel drive, however it was still an old mini bus! We were very pleased to arrive at the school in 1 piece.

We had been told to expect 20 – 40 children and when we stood waiting them to appear they just kept coming, and coming. We ended up with 72 between the 6 Coaches (Simon was feeling under the weather and missed the morning).Bumpy roads and African driving = Steve Adshead mini bus sickness (both ways) including a local nearly having his shoes splattered.

We followed the set scenario of Stephen carrying out the introduction and then a warm up – this time carried out by Ghazi. This was a wonder to behold with 72 kids all moving at the same time and balls going all over the place – great fun that is shown in the photos.

We then went in to the 4 technical sessions:

Bowling with Ghazi, Batting with Steve, Fielding with Ed and Phil, and also a secondary fielding session by Ben. Stephen floated around the groups and ensured we kept to time.

We then had non stop cricket taking place for the last 30 mins with 4 games at once. We had some stunning catches by both boys and girls and generally we were very impressed by the quality and enthusiasm from the kids. 2 had actually been selected to play for Kenya U15’s against Uganda.

The journey back was entertaining as usual and at one point the mini bus became a roundabout itself with cars passing all sides! The afternoon was free as the school we were due in could not accommodate us.

Most rested, however Ben and Ed continued their coaching by helping the security guard understand how to bowl, They also managed to create a crazy golf course using Kwik Cricket equipment and the gutter!!

Thanks again,

Stephen, Ben, Ed and Ghazi

After lunch and another hair raising journey we arrived at Lenana School for a session due to start at 3:00pm.

These players were a bit better having played for 2 years and we planned more technical sessions for them and the use of hard balls equipment. On arrival we say about 17 lads in the same kit but this soon increased so that eventually we had about 35 lads with us.

Introductions followed again in the same manner as the morning and Steve Adshead ran another excellent warm up. We then managed to get alot of lads together to lift up a hockey goal so that we could use it in a batting session – proper coaches using what was available!

We split into 4 groups with Steve Adshead running a pull shot session (ask him what he thinks of the pull shot when you see him!), Ghazi and Ben carrying out bowling, Phil and Ed running a high catching session and Stephen running a slip catching session. During all of this, and the morning session Simon was our water man, camera man and video man and helped in all groups. The Video and Camera shots look fantastic and will appear soon!

We had first use of the first aid during the high catching session as one lad decided to use his nose to stop a ball he missed with his hands, much to Phils disappointment. There is no truth in the rumour that the lad still had to do his press ups for a missed catch!

After sessions Steve had found out that the lads, who play in a team anyhow, do not get chance to hit balls in practice. Therefore, even though we were over the official time Steve, with all other coaches assisting, ran a front foot driving session. This was fantastic to see 35 lads chasing all over after the shots that had just played. They had to chase the ball they hit themselves but still tried to hit it as far as possible and then chase after it – we could not imagine the lads in the Uk doing this!

Following this we carried out a summary with all of the players and thanked them for their effort. The Captain of the team stood up and thanked us and his team mates, followed by our CRicket Kenya official (Joseph), the school teacher and the ex Captain of the team!

Another fantastic session which made us all feel very worthwhile. We then endured another journey back with some interesting overtaking manoeuvres.

Time for a shower and a beer!

Ben, Stephen and Ghazi

Breakfast at the Hotel was eggs with Bacon or sausages – not both!! The team are obviously working closely together as all turned up in blue CWB shirts with no prior arrangement which was crucial for the dust we were due to experience! At this time steve adshead appeared having carried out a series of shuttle runs!

Drive to Mathare was at 9:15 via the supermarket. This was a really poor area and described as being a ‘slum’. No grass, on a hill, overlooking ‘living accommodation’. However, we had 32 kids in high spirits pleased to see us and the equipment, accompanied by about 50 spectators. They were already playing a game with some old equipment, competing with a football game. They were 8 – 15 years old, boys and girls.

Stephen started with an intro explaining what CWB is all about and then we got stuck into the coaching. Steve Adshead carried out a warm up with lots of smiling faces. We then split into 3 groups batting, fielding and bowling. All groups rotated every 15 mins. Ed got an honourable mention from Ghazi on his great coaching of the batting.

We then had 3 individual Kwik Cricket games one of which was a girls game. Girls did not enjoy chasing the ball when fielding, but boys were very keen and some were great athletes. In one game we also had a Goat fielding!! Stephen and Phils game seemed to have lots of excellent fielders and so there were lots of high fives. The highlight was hearing Phil calling a young lad ‘Newcastle’ (he had a Newcastle shirt on) and every time he scored a run we had Phil calling out ‘Shearer, Shearer’.

We finished with handing out shirts, mini bat, pens, etc and we then had to leave having wished we could spend more hours with them. We were thanked and applauded. We left and found that a flat battery meant we had to push start – excellent fun after a great morning.

Back for lunch at the Hotel and then again out for more coaching in the afternoon.

Ben and Stephen

5 of the team met in Dubai following various flights from the UK. Stephen, having flown from Glasgow, spent 6 hours waiting for anyone else to arrive – Dubai airport is not a good b & b!!

technical issues with the plan from Dubai meant that the right engine would not fire properly so they tried to re-start twice. This did not work, however, third time lucky which the pilot announced!!! This resulted in us being 30 mins late to Nairobi when Ben and Ed were waiting patiently with David from Cricket Kenya.

Got through Customs fine and all bags arrived – we were here!! All piled into 1 mini bus with all cricket bags, etc – it was packed to say the least. Ben had warned us about the driving but nothing could prepare us for the next 30mins! Hit traffic but through careful movement between lanes our driver got us here on one piece – shaken but not stirred!

On arrival at Jupiter Guest Resort we found basic rooms but just what we needed. We then went out for Dinner in the ‘Boogie Disco Bar’. Lack of cutlery but we ate African style including sampling Steve Adshead’s goat. Lots of screens in the bar with Premiership football showing all games, plus live music. Bed followed after a very enjoyable first evening.

Ben and Stephen

Well it is nearly here – we have even started selecting seats on the flight!!

We cant wait to go now so I hope lots of you will visit our blog while we are away. We now have the contact names for while we are away and the itinerary for the Nairobi part is almost complete – I am sure it will be by the time we travel.

We are now only 5 days away from travelling to Kenya and counting away the “sleeps” before we depart. We actually have two members – Ed and Ben, already in Kenya and they will be waiting for us when the rest of us arrive.

This weekend has seen members of the squad carrying out other activities – Steve Adshead wants to thank his friends in cricket for their support, and in order to raise the money for our project I decided to run the Birmingham Half Marathon. Just finished in 1:49:09 and enough pain to justify all those who were good enough to sponsor me, well worth it though. With that out the way I can now get suitably fat like all ex pro’s should do! The rest of team are very impressed with Steve’s time for the event.

Ghazi Zaki has been at Lords this weekend where he has just found out that the Staffordshire Tutor Team (of which he is a member) has won the Tutor team of the year award – great news for Zaki and his team!

Finally, I have just managed to complete my last Coaching in Scotland before going over to Kenya. 5 hours with an U15 Development Squad in Scotland will be replaced with 2 weeks coaching kids of all abilities in Kenya – what a difference and I think I may also see a vast difference in the temperature between Scotland and Kenya in October!

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored members of the team,

Stephen and Team Kenya