When we look back upon our trip it can only be seen as a massively successful one from everyone’s perspective. The children have had excellent coaching and have learnt cricket along with the HIV/AIDS message from excellent coaches; the teachers have progressed their skills from learning the 4 stages of coaching to starting sessions quickly; we (the coaches) have seen and experienced situations totally different to those we would encounter in the UK (and Jersey) and the CWB message continues to grow in Uganda.
If that is how our visit is judged then all pass with flying colours.
As Jamie mentioned in his overall trip blog the other major success story is the Ugandan coaches who have joined us. They are massively hard working, friendly, have an attention to detail, an ability to communicate clearly to the children and most of all bloody good at their coaching job!
A. Jackson (AKA Darren Sammy) is the life and soul of the group. If he isn’t dancing about something is majorly wrong (his singing leaves more to be desired). He brings an energy to the whole group and his coaching style is appreciated by the children. ‘Darren Sammy’ doesn’t do things quickly but they are done in his own way and achieves results.
B. Waka (AKA Kamran Akmal) is the cheeky chappy. He is in charge of the Ministry of Animal Affairs on our trip and proved his worth removing 5 goats from the field of play in this afternoons pairs tournament! Like Jackson his coaching requires much energy and commitment which is seen by the children and he manages to involve everyone!
C. Emmanuel (AKA Vernon Philander) is the quiet one of the 3 but this does not mean he doesn’t get his messages across. Our international Ugandan is clearly wanting to get his place back in the national side and his coaching is well planned and thought out.
Without these 3 the trip would not have been the success it has been. They care about what they do and I hope the Ugandan Cricket Association continue to utilise their skills and with CWB high on their radar, continue to develop the massive amount of talent there is in the country.
Today was our final day of schools coaching in Tororo and the standard was high. Coaching of some schools was taking forward and progressing things learnt on a previous trip which was great to see. Bowling arms were straight and catching drills quickly progressed beyond the basics we have usually taught. The next step is to get these players from the schools into teams and playing for clubs, both boys and girls, as there is passion and enjoyment along with talent.
After the day we retired to the hotel and enjoyed a pairs cricket match. I am pleased to report that myself and Jackson were the winners scoring 15 from our 4 overs to ensure bragging rights for the evening (not that it was competitive!!).
Tomorrow is our last coaching day with the tournament before Saturday’s travel day and flight in the early hours of Sunday morning. It has been an enlightening 2 weeks and totally different to what I, as a CWB virgin, am used to in England, whether coaching or the Ugandan lifestyle.
Would I come back? You bet.
JC
Please give our regards to Joseph. His prayers and driving skills looked over us in Autumn 2014.