Coach Jerome Jayaratne hopes to keep up with modern demands
By Ranjan Anandappa
CRICKET: The game of cricket no longer resembles the cricket
played in the past. Having that thought firmly embedded in mind, the
newly elected Head of Coaching (SLC) Jerome Jayaratne believes that SLC
had a system in place for many years, and built in that system, he hopes
to keep up with the modern demands in World cricket to take the game to
the next generation of cricketers and coaches. In that way Jayaratne is
certain that Sri Lanka would not be left behind.
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Discussing various aspects of cricket coaching... Sri Lanka
under 19 coach Roger Wijesuriya (left) discusses plans at
the Max Cricket Academy at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium
with Jerome Jayaratne. All matters relating to cricket
coaching will be handled by the Academy situated at the
stadium. |
“There has been much work done in the area of coaching by SLC over
the years, however, my attention and focus is to build on what has been
already built. Any changes, may be a position held by an individual or
structural in the existing system would not be changed just for the sake
of a change. The changes will be brought about purely for the betterment
of the game.” said Jayaratne.
He said that studying the present system he feels that there is work
the present system I feel there is work to be done. There will be
structural changes and also new divisions to be set up within the
coaching areas. This will help us to be better structured as a
department and also create a better environment for cricket training and
coaching.
“Once we get the structure in place we would need to appoint the
correct people to their respective positions and then direct them to
their work areas accordingly” Jayaratne added.
The former Thomian cricketer, Jerome Jayaratne said that as a
department there would be transparency with regard to the programmes
conducted by the Coaching Department and requested the media for a
pivotal role to convey the message to the cricketing and coaching
fraternity in the country.
Jayaratne himself is no mean cricketer. He represented the country at
under 19 and 23 levels in the company of Aravinda de Silva and under
Arjuna Ranatunga. There after he left for Australia to get involved in
professional cricket at district level.
He joined SLC in 2001 as Manager Coaching. Prior to joining SLC, he
was the first eleven coach of his Alma Mater S. Thomas’ College from
1996 to 2000.
During the three-year period from 2005 to 2008 as the field coach of
the Cricket Academy he has produced players of the calibre of Upul
Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Dilruwan Perera, Chanaka Welegedera, and
Ajantha Mendis. He is a qualified coach of the ACB and ECB. |
