MBABANE – A seasoned Moneni Pirates tactician was among the 26 cricket hopefuls who successfully completed an entry-level coaching programme this past weekend.
The graduation ceremony took place on Saturday, following a three-day drill. While participants received attendance certificates at the ceremony, they are expected to receive their official credentials once the final results are ratified. The International Cricket Council (ICC) Level One Coaching Course was made possible through International Olympic Solidarity (IOS) funding, facilitated by the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA).
After a stint of online learning, the aspiring coaches moved to the classroom at Bethel Court in Ezulwini on Thursday to wrap up the theoretical component of the course. They then shifted gears for their practical assessments in Malkerns on Saturday, ahead of graduation.
Among the notable faces in the graduating class was Moneni Pirates analyst and Assistant Coach Zenzile Mpofu. Her transition into the cricket crease marks an expansion of her coaching expertise. Having already climbed the ladder in the footballing world; boasting vast experience that includes a role within the technical set-up of the women’s national team, Sitsebe; Mpofu is now proving she is a versatile sporting strategist.
The Eswatini Cricket Association (ECA) has announced the development through their Facebook page. They said this three-day course marked an important step in building coaching capacity and raising standards within cricket.
“The course was delivered by Landry Rurangwa, with the assistance of our local coach tutors, Mbali Dlamini and Sibongiseni Dlamini. Their combined expertise ensured a high-quality learning experience for all participants,” the ECA said.
The programme was specifically designed to capacitate teachers ahead of the upcoming school sports calendar. The ECA aims to level the playing field, ensuring cricket enjoys a balanced standing alongside football in schools. With the school sports calendar typically kicking off in the first term and extending into the second, these new coaches will be expected to hit the ground running.
Moneni Pirates Analyst Zenzile Mpofu (C) receives her participation certificate from ECA President Saif Ullah (L) and EOCGA Board member Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini. (Courtesy pic)