1. 2020 has been a year to remember regarding the COVID_19 Pandemic. How has the pandemic effected you positivity?

The pandemic and particularly during lockdown has been a time to reflect and plan a few things for the future. I am looking into furthering my studies and  put some ground work into a masters project. I have also spent some real quality time with my young family and really enjoyed that! Have found a new respect for teachers who look after 3 year olds. Kids are crazy busy! 😉 I have also spent time reflecting on our business model and have a few ideas to improve our business moving forward. 

2. You have recently been awarded with a prestigious prize. What does the Provincial Coach of the Year actually mean to you?

The provincial coach of the year is a great honor for me to receive. It is also an honour that some of my mentors and friends have received in the past so that makes it even more special. I do however see it as a collective award that could never have happened without the support of my players and support staff. They have been truly amazing the past 12-18 months. 

3. Tell us back your journey as a cricketer ?

My journey as a cricketer was one with many ups and a few downs. I was really fortunate to play the game I love professionally for 8 seasons. I look back with only fond memories with many good friends and colleagues. The trophies will always remain highlights in my life. I was fortunate to get to travel on team tours which i will cherish forever. (Even getting sick in Bangladesh and India with food poisoning) I started to believe I could make a career out of cricket when I was selected for SA u19. I believe I was always a student of the game and that probably has led me into the coaching side of the game. I was a loyal cricketer and really loved playing for my province and being based at the bullring. A really special place! Could I have played more cricket, should I have been given more opportunity at franchise level? Perhaps, but it was it all part of the journey and I have no regrets looking back. I gave it my all in my playing days and loved it! Now is my chance to give back from a coaching perspective. 

4. Why Biokinetics?

When I started studying, it was really more about going to UJ for the cricket. My undergrad was mainly spent on the cricket field at UJ/ Wanderers and in Pretoria at the CSA National academy. (I have many friends that I must thank for getting me through undergrad). It was only really in my 3rd year that I decided Biokinetics was a great line to go into. The orthopedic rehabilitation side of it really appealed to me and fact that I could help people/sportsman achieve their goals was a motivating factor. I am forever grateful to Karel Mouton at UJ and the UJ Biokinetics faculty that assisted me in achieving my goals in getting my Biokinetics degree and continuing to pursue my cricket career. 

5. Having three caps on. Your Biokineticists, Head Coach and Business Cap. How would you plan your perfect team environment ( You had a Manchester United budget)

It can be daunting at times being pulled in so many directions but it is something I love and thrive on the pressures. I really just try be present wherever I am. When im coaching or doing Bio work, I stay present and focus on the task at hand. 

When the time is right, I then plan ahead. I never work day to day. Always thinking weeks/ sometimes months ahead. I am also a firm believer that things must not be left unattended. If there is something to be done, get it done! 

In terms of planning the perfect environment, budgets can certainly help get the right people or create an environment that is healthy and sustainable. But in the end, it comes down to people, character and values. If you believe in the right things and do the right things then that is the perfect environment for me and for a team to thrive. Money doesn't run teams, people do! Values/ principles and human connections is what i believe in. And then having a common goal. 🙏🏻

Carpe Diem