Cricket: Younger coaches are making their mark

Stephen Cunis was delighted to see nine Northland coaches achieve their level two qualification. Photo/File.

Northland cricket coaches seem to be stepping up their game after a crop of them upskilled on various courses.

Nine Northlanders who coach youth teams have completed their level two coaching certifications, which means up-and-coming cricketers are in better hands at the end of the day.

Northland men's team coach, Stephen Cunis, says it is a great thing for the region to have coaches upskilling and wanting to raise the level of club cricket in Northland.

"It's outstanding to get nine or 10 new level two coaches signed up," Cunis said. "We've got a fantastic bunch here [involved with the Northland Cricket Association] who coaches can work with.

"What I'm liking is the current crop of coaches coming through are in their early 20s, and they're players too, coming through [and] wanting to improve their coaching and clubs. Probably about seven or eight are good Northland players or club players.

"I think New Zealand Cricket sort of push numbers, and there's been some good discussion with them on getting a good core of coaches and work on them rather than spreading [resources wide]."

Cunis explained that level one was a two-day course involving theory in terms of batting, bowling and injuries.

But level two was where the training was much more in-depth.

"It's certainly upskilling. It's a good course because they get a better understanding of the nitty gritty in cricket.

"Level one is basic, whereas level two they look at eight types of deliveries and how bowlers bowl them, and the planning. It's quite a challenging course.

"Level two is no mean feat when they get it, it's a good effort."

To move to the next level, and what is essentially the highest level in New Zealand, coaches are invited by New Zealand Cricket - of which Cunis is qualified in.

Level three includes 100-hour volunteering coaching, university-styled assignments, and attendance at classes where the likes of Shane Bond speak.

Cunis added the level-two coaches were not the only ones progressing with Michael and Neal Parlane working on the level-three course - which takes a year. Neal Parlane has just started while Michael Parlane is three papers in.

Coaching team for 2013/14: Neal Parlane, Ellie Liddington, Karl Treiber, Stephen Cunis, Michael Parlane, Brad Kneebone, Pete Barnett, Henry Cooper, Ben Hyde, Kurtley Watson, Cody Andrews, Jack Murphy, Sam Walker, Stephen John.