Streak engages sessions by mental strength coach for Zim
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 1:03 am
So, finally the aspect everyone was insisting on: https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2017/0 ... toughness/
ZIMBABWE cricket team coach Heath Streak has engaged the services of respected South African mental strength coach, motivational speaker and trainer Christo Spies in a bid to boost the team’s mental toughness ahead of next month’s One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan.
Spies, who has worked with South Africa’s top companies and sportspersons, spent most this week with both the national ‘A’ team who are in camp for the Afghanistan ‘A’ tour which begins today and the senior national squad who are also in camp ahead of their return to action early next month.
Streak said he was happy with Spies’ sessions with his charges, who have in the past exhibited a distinct lack of mental toughness and big-match temperament at crucial periods in important matches.
“It’s been really enjoyable and I believe the guys have benefitted a lot out of it,” Streak told the Zimbabwe Independent yesterday. “Obviously in Zimbabwean sport it’s something new but hopefully the guys will be able to put some of the things they learnt into practice in game situations going forward,” he said.
The former Zimbabwe captain believes mental strength and focus is as important as technique in international cricket just as it is in modern professional sport in general.
“I don’t think people understand the pressure of performing at the highest level when you’re playing for your country and the expectations surrounding that. Cricket is also a career for these guys and they have a lot of things that they need to deal with which have a bearing on how they perform.
“I think the guys have grasped an aspect of the game they never really experienced before. It involves so many aspects such as how to manage their routines or how to handle situations when they are under pressure as well as technics on how to relax, refocus amongst other issues, so generally it has been very helpful,” Streak said.
I know Brent recently talked about mental toughness. I also appreciate him for arranging that session, he really is a hard working guy. But the folks were "invited" and not mandated to attend that (would it have been a different story if they were "invited" to KFC?) as against when Streak did that, it appeared "official"? Anyway, who paid for this? At least in Brent and Bell's case, they would have paid it themselves out of their own interest, and would probably not take that step again if that was the response. But did ZC pay for this Spies guy or did Streak himself foot the bill?