New twist to coaching vacuum

[zimfan1]

New twist to coaching vacuum

By Tinashe Kusema

BARELY a week after flighting an advert for the post of national team coach, Zimbabwe Cricket’s top brass is expected to have their hands full come deliberation after outgoing coach Walter Chawaguta revealed his intention to re-apply for the vacant post.

ZC recently began the process of making a long-term appointment of national coach which became vacant when Chawaguta’s contract expired at the end of last year.
According to the advert, all the aspiring applicants are to send in their curriculum vitae by January 21 2010.
Chawaguta becomes the third person linked to the post after former internationals Heath Streak and Grant Flower were alleged to have shown an interest in the job.
Flower and Streak, due to their impressive backgrounds in the sport, had been reported to be the ideal candidates with Flower’s strong batting background and Streak’s reputation as a world-class bowler both major talking points.
Streak, currently the team’s bowling coach, was until the beginning of this year tipped to land the job after the expiry of Chawaguta’s contract on December 31, but Flower’s arrival on the scene had balanced the scales between the two.
Now all that will be thrown out the door as Chawaguta comes in with a wealth of coaching experience.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Chawaguta said he expressed his desire to stay on as head coach, saying he needed more time with the team.
“I’m definitely going to apply for the post as I think I deserve another chance to prove myself after the disappointments of last season.
“Last year most people were pointing fingers at the coach due to our failure to win most of the games, but a lot of things, like preparation, game time and obviously coaching, are needed to come up with a winning formula and I do believe we have not fully had those things until now.
“The players and I have come a long way since last year and the experience we have gained will help us in the long run, so I believe I need more time with the team and I can guarantee results. I believe I have learnt a lot in the past year, and now I’m in a better position to lead the country back to its former glory days,” he said.
The Alistair Campbell-chaired committee confirmed Chawaguta’s interest and noted it as positive in the development of the game.
“The emergence of Chawaguta does certainly make the selection committee’s work more difficult, but it’s a positive as he adds to the growing number of highly qualified personalities who are showing interest in the post.
“We are going to hold interviews with each of the candidates after application is over and will give the job to the man who we believe will take us back to Test cricket, which is the ultimate goal.
“All the afore-mentioned individuals do have the credentials both in experience and qualifications, so it will be up to them to convince us that they are the right man for the job,” said Campbell.
Chawaguta comes in with a wealth of coaching experience that stretches over 10 years.
His coaching history starts at school level. He has handled Chipembere Primary School in Highfield and Churchill High and then at club level he has been with Takashinga.
He has also been in Midlands and Matabeleland.
He then assisted Dave Houghton and Eddo Brandes at the CFX Academy.
His first major national role was as Zimbabwe Under-19s coach, taking the side to two major Junior World Cups in 2004 and 2006.
He was later appointed Zimbabwe A coach, then served as an assistant coach under three national coaches, namely Phil Simmons, Kevin Curran and Robin Brown.
He currently holds a level three coaching certificate.

Sunday Mail

[eugene]

I hope Walter Chawaguta doesn't have a chance of retaining the coaching position. He should go back to coaching primary school teams, he wouldn't be too much out of his depth there.

[sloandog]

I hope Walter Chawaguta doesn't have a chance of retaining the coaching position. He should go back to coaching primary school teams, he wouldn't be too much out of his depth there.

Haha good point Eugene, and one that i agree with 100%. I just think that with the likes of Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Alistair Campbell and co, Zimbabwe cricket find themselves in a posative position. Why stick with Walter Chawaguta, the man who hasn't set the world alight with his coaching skills. To me it's a backward step if he is to stay as the head coach of our national side. For me the way forward is a side lead by Heath Streak, and Grant Flower at his side as the assistant coach and the fielding coach. Chawaguta could be a very good A team coach mind, but just not for the national side, not now, not ever.

[maehara]

Can't see how this would present ZC with any sort of 'dilemma' - ZC have sacked Robin Brown when he had a better record that Chawaguta, after all. Wrong man for the job, and has proven that over the two years that he's been in charge. Move on...

(Also, can't see Campbell going with him, and he's the one in charge of selecting the new coach, so...)

[shumbat]

we need a new man at the helm please, chawaguta has had his chance. Streak my choice man.