SLC talent search goes to North Central Province

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Talent Search in cricket.... SLC National Coaching Department on 28th May 2013 conducted a Cricket ‘Talent Search’ program at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. The main objective of this exercise was to search for young talent at age group level. The training program was attended by (148) Cricketers from the ages of (14) to (19) years old.

The cricketers represented the districts of Kurunegala/Matale/Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Cricketers who attended the program were from various schools in the North Central Province.Cricketers identified with talent will continue to work closely with the respective District and Provincial Coach, while any other cricketers identified with extreme talent will be drafted to the National Age Group squads which are managed by the SLC National Coaching Department.

On the 29th May 2013 the SLC ‘Coach Education Unit’ conducted an ‘Coach Education Workshop’ for all cricket coaches who are in the Coaching fraternity in the North Central Province. This program was attended by (56) Coaches from the districts of Kurunegala/Matale/Anuradhapura/Polonnaruwa and was conducted successfully.It is imperative that the teachings and knowledge at National Level are shared and filtered down to the rest of the coaches involved in active coaching throughout the country. Other than the cricketing areas, the teachings also included a subject on ‘physiotherapy’ in the effort of sharing ones knowledge and making an awareness with regard to the importance of this area related to injury management of young cricketers which is a common feature in today’s context.

SLC also linked up with the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association in conducting a program for the Schools ‘Masters In Charge’ involved in Cricket with regard to the duties one is expected to perform during his or her involvement.This program was attended by (55) participants from Kurunegala/Matale/Anuradhapura/ Polonnaruwa.The workshop was conducted by Kapila Jayalath and J.A.K.S. Indrajith on behalf of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

The ‘Coach Education Unit’ of the SLC National Coaching Department conducted the above program with the assistance of, Piyal Wijetunga (National Spin Bowling Coach), Sumithra Waranakulasuriya (Development Coach), Nuwan Seniviratne (Fielding and Wicket Keeping Coach), Prabath Nissanka (Fast Bowling Coach), J.C. Gamage and Heshan de Mel (Coach Educators).The SLC Provincial and District Coaches network was utilized in organising and conducting the two-day program.