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Published: April 1st 2010
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Day 4 - (Tuesday 30th March)
Whilst Dickie, Andy and Neil headed off for the coaching sessions, the rest of us (4 teachers and a doctor as we called ourselves) were looking forward to a small lie in and a rest from Andy's awful banter and having to listen to his life story again in front of 100 kids.
We checked we had everything: Rich L had his cones so he was happy, I had remembered the sun cream which was an improvement on yesterday, Mike and Claire were in the van... oh and Mick, last in the van again! Karura Forest Primary School had been the easy winners of the tournament we visited on Saturday, so although we were delighted to be going off to do some coaching, we felt that they were probably a well-off school, with lots of equipment, who possibly didn't need our help as much as others.
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! Having enjoyed the dustbowl of Nairobi's CBD, we ventured off through the forest, meandering down a forest track, we eventually arrived at the school. To be greeted by a fantastic welcome and the biggest shock of our lives. This school had very little space, hardly any equipment and the children were not well off at all. Credit has to be given to the PE teacher there and Joseph from cricket Kenya who have been raising the profile of cricket here. We conducted our sessions of bowling and batting and the standards were incredibly high. We had 4 members of the Kenyan U15 girls team in the school and 5 boys were about to be added to the boys training squad, which is incredible when you consider they only have 180 children from 5-15.
The PE teacher went round making careful notes, so we were all on our toes making sure our coaching was spot on! Biggest faux pas of the event, went to yours truly. When, during the game, one of the fielders was surrounded by trees and out of view, but throwing the ball back, ridiculously fast. I kept calling him 'Mr Elastic'. At the end I wanted to know who the child was and asked who was that lad throwing the ball- It was of course a girl!! Fantastic arm, fantastic athlete. We then given a very valuable and interesting tour of the school. The children were incredibly happy and the staff dedicated and enthusiastic. We just about got away with the most cringe-worthy pause possible in the headteachers office-Joseph from cricket Kenya saved us! "Pleasured"! I am hoping to initiate a connection between my school in Battersea and Karura Forest as I was taken aback by how much they had achieved with so little. Before we came I asked myself could cricket make a difference in a school? Yes, it most definitely can, is now my answer. Luckily we are going back to visit them later in the week-can't wait!
TH
Part 2 - By Andy (Loves a chat - appears he doesn't mind penning it on paper now as well!!)
8.00 - Breakfast again with yet another superb Spanish Omlette!
9.00 - Arrived at the Ruarka Sports Club again but this time we werent greeted with kids!
9.00 - 5pm - We were welcomed by 18 wannabe Cricket Coaches (very quiet though). Rickard Davies aka Dickie is the Tutor on our project and he has the task of delivering a 3 day Cricket Kenya Level 2 Coaching Course with a few of us helping to assist him.
The eager delegates are all from Nairobi and consisted of an ex Kenyan International Cricketer, a current Kenyan Women's Cricketer, School Teachers, members from the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association and a few cricket umpires! A mixed bag you might say...
The day started with Dickie introducing myself and Neil and informing them of what would be expected over the 3 days. It wasn't long before we were out on the lush green playing field getting stuck in to in to the 'those' coaching bugs that we have all come to love (it's a cricketing term sorry).
We took it in turns to work through the syalabus and to give the delegates the opportunity to practice the demos and to take it in turn to be 'the coach' working in smaller groups. It was a long day but well worth the hard work that everyone put in. Dickie put in a lot of time and effort and his jokes we welcomed with wide eyes and big smiles. For some reason everyone loves the fact that Neil is from Manchester and yet last night when Bayern Munich beat Man Utd the bar erupted with joy that Utd lost - ha ha sorry Neil had to be said!
AG
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Veronika
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Where are the pictures? We need proof that Dickie is working and not just delegating and walking around with a clipboard!!!! Has he remembered his whistle this time?