Academy Coaches


The Cricket Academy (TCA) provides United Cricket Board (UCB) Level III, Level II and Level I Coaches for private, mini and holiday coaching programmes. The coaches attend TCA monthly workshops and are kept informed of the latest cricket updates, information and coaching techniques. Our coaches are evaluated and assessed regularly to guarantee their best performance at all times.


Gio Colussi

 (Academy Director and Senior Coach)

Gio is a UCB Level III Coach with 13 years coaching experience. He currently plays first team cricket for WPCC. He is widely regarded as one of the top technical coaches in the province and has been instrumental in the development of The Cricket Academy Coaching Programmes. Gio brings his immense energy, commitment and passion for cricket to The Cricket Academy.

Coaching qualifications:
  • 1998 CSA Level I Coaching Certificate
  • 1999 CSA Level II Coaching Certificate
  • 2006 CSA Level II Refresher Course
  • 2008 CSA Level III Coaching Certificate
Coaching experience:
  • 2004-Present: Cricket Academy Director
  • 2006-Present: Director of Coaching, WPCC Junior Section
  • 2005: Professional Cricket Coach, Royal Hague CC
    Structured and ran all coaching at the club with Neil McKenzie. This involved coaching boys age 5-18 as well as all of the senior sides.
  • 2003-2005: Professional Cricket Coach at RBHS and RBPS
  • 2003: Professional Cricket Coach, Banstead CC, Surrey
    Coached all junior teams at the club from age 6-15.
  • 2003: Professional Cricket Coach, Epsom College, UK
  • 2003: Professional Cricket Coach, Pinehurst Primary
  • 2000-2002: Professional Cricket Coach, Reddam House
  • 1998-Present: Private coaching


Stephen George

 Senior Academy Coach

Steve has 6 years coaching experience and has been with The Cricket Academy since 2005. He is one of our most popular coaches.

Coaching qualifications:
CSA Level III
Playing experience:
Western Province Amateur, Western Province Academy, WPCC 1st XI




Ryan van Niekerk

 Senior Academy Coach

“Ryno” has coached at The Cricket Academy since January 2007. He brings immense enthusiasm and a structured approach to his sessions. He also possesses an abundance of patience and a positive attitude which makes him extremely popular with all of our members.

Coaching qualifications:
CSA Level II
Playing experience:
Western Province Academy, Eastern Province U/19, WPCC 1st XI


Testimonials


Michael Rippon

Over the last five years I have spent many an hour with Gio at The Cricket Academy discussing and practicing the art of genuine left arm wrist spin….something which he has learned a lot about through experience.

It was Gio who first recognized the fact that there was something there in that left arm of mine and encouraged me to change to wrist spin and believed that with a little hard work and encouragement I could do well with my cricket.

I found Gio to be very knowledgeable and he took it upon himself to take a personal interest in my progress…often with my dad peering over his left shoulder!

It was not all plain sailing as I battled initially with my technique and rhythm but under the watchful and patient eye of Gio we continued to make progress... something which took many an hour as I have already mentioned... which has recently paid huge dividends.

Gio believes in the 10,000 hour rule and was never afraid to push me beyond my limits, something which I endorse as a young player! It is very difficult to get to the top of any sport without a bit of blood, sweat and tears!... and believe me there were plenty of tantrums!

The simple fact that Gio had belief in my ability gave me the confidence to keep believing that I could improve not only as a bowler but as an all round cricketer... something that in this day and age you need to be... a good all rounder. You have to be able to bat, bowl and field!... something which the Academy feels very strongly about!

I have played alongside Gio at club level and recently got selected to the Cobras for the 20/20 series… At the age of 19! Something I would never have achieved without the support of Gio and my team mates at Western Province cricket club.

If you want to be a good cricketer one or two school practices a week is simply not good enough…You do need to be coached by a professional!

Thanks Gio,
Michael Rippon



Grant Edmeades

“I started at the Cricket Academy based at WPCC at the age of 11. Being an average cricketer but very keen on improving my game and becoming a better player.

In becoming that better player I needed to receive advice and help from true professionals and I say now that the Cricket Academy was the perfect place to go to. The coaches were so friendly and helpful. They made you feel like you were a better player. The sessions I had were an hour long, once a week, and every week I'd look forward to that hour. All the emphasis was on me for that hour.

My cricket improved dramatically and especially my batting as they saw my ability and made some changes here and there. Two years later I made the WP U13 side and I give a lot of credit to Gio and his well run academy.

Over the years the academy taught me to tighten up my game and helped me to become a recognised batsman. The Cricket Academy provided facilities that made it impossible for practise to be cancelled even if it was raining.

During my time at The Cricket Academy I learnt a lot, enjoyed every moment of it and it played a major role in improving my game.
 
There's no other academy that offers so much in my eyes. I give credit to The Academy for the role it played in helping me gain selection for all the teams I have represented so far.”

Grant Edmeades

Grant trained at The Cricket Academy, once a week, all year round from Grade 5 till he completed Grade 12 at Wynberg Boys High School in 2010. During his time at The Academy he represented WP at U/13, U/15, U/17 and U/19 levels and was selected to represent South Africa U/19. Grant is currently studying at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on a cricket bursary and attending the Warriors Cricket Academy