By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
BRIXHAM CC are looking to appoint a head coach willing to play in the first team in league matches as the club’s rebuilding process continues.
Brixham will be playing C Division West cricket in one form or another this summer, which is a far cry from the summer of 2016 when they were briefly back in the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.
After three relegations – one of them voluntary – and the temporary loss of the 2ndXI the only way is up for the Boundary Park club.
George Breyley, the club captain and coaching co-ordinator at Brixham, said with youngsters coming through the ranks now is the right time to invest in the future.
“There are six or seven post-16 players who are ready to start playing senior cricket and need the club’s support,” said Breyley, who has run colts’ coaching at Brixham for eight years.
“By bringing in a coach to look after the first team squad and players aspiring to play senior cricket we are aiming for continuity.
“Although we are not ready to restart the second team just yet, we are going back into the South Devon League on Sundays this year to give our young players a taste of league cricket.
“They are young and, understandably, lack a bit of confidence. They don’t realise how good they are, which is where the SDL comes in.
“Our older colts in the same team as some senior players who aren’t playing on Saturdays can only benefit from structured coaching and match experience.
“As I am too old and decrepit to coach the seniors and the colts, the committee felt the best thing to do is advertise for a coach – ideally with a level two qualification – who will also play for us.
“We want someone who can hit the ground running, not someone who wants to get into coaching and needs to do the awards.”
Brixham have used their contracted overseas players as coaches for a number of years, aided and abetted by volunteers from the club’s own ranks.
“With all the uncertainty over international travel caused by Covid it made sense this year to look for a local solution to our coaching needs,” said Breyley.
Whoever is appointed as coach will have veteran player Paul Heath, Matt Edwards and Kez Black to support them where needed.
To find out more about the coaching opportunity at Brixham, contact Breyley on georgebreyley@yahoo.co.uk – the job application form can be viewed here
Dhananjay Lakshan, who was Brixham’s overseas professional in 2019, has been added to Sri Lanka’s A squad after impressing with bat and ball for Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League.
Lakshan was a member of the Northern Warriors team that defeated Delhi Bulls by 10 wickets at the weekend in the Abu Dhabi Ten10 final.
