The West Indian way with coach Simmons

This week’s column is dedicated to the West Indies coach Phil Simmons as the West Indies battle for a World Cup T20 semi final place. The column is some of Simmons’ ideas to improve West Indies cricket 

We were world leaders on the cricket field. We played with authority and most of all, style which was confident, aggressive and athletic. It brought crowds and sponsors, which are both essential for revenue.

Our foundation is our indelible history and our ability to produce talented young players. We now need to build on this with a strong philosophy that would prepare us for the resurgence “The West Indies Way” with a sustainable system made up of the following pillars.

1 The facilities and the management of them
• When we travel and see the quality of facilities we are using you realise that facilities are a huge part of producing players of quality.
•  Practice wickets and Match wickets are essential tools for success.
• Practice wickets should be as similar to match wickets as much as possible.
• Practice nets and centre wickets should be rolled very hard and have grass rolled into wick­et as compulsory. This would create more even bounce and pace. This is essentially an in­vestment in the development of our young fast bowlers, but it will also improve our batsmen's stroke play and our spinners.
• Indoor facilities must be upgraded to international standard.
• Groundsmen should be up skilled and made to understand their importance to the resur­gence of our cricket by producing the wickets that are needed for all forms of cricket.
• The return of our style will depend on the improved practice and match facilities.
 
2 The coaching system
• ICC approved coach Education and Accreditation scheme to be aligned to the WI Way.
• Coaching accreditation is to be aligned to a University, which helps to promote ongoing per­sonal development, and gives credibility to the Certificate or Diploma.
• Accredit coaches for all levels to connect juniors, youth, elite development and teams and so assist the pathway of the WI way.
• Coaches then need the ability to identify and implement the techniques each individual re­quires to play the West Indies Way.
• Formation of a WI Coaches Association where coaches from the WICB head coach to the age group coaches can share and access the latest thinking and ideas.
• WICB Head Coach and Territorial Board National Coaches need to have increased interac­tion so they can share ideas and are all on the same pathway.
• TB Head coach to have more interaction with national age group coaches so all ideas filter down to the foundation of the system.
• Identify and encourage former and current National players to enroll in recognized coach education courses to broaden their understanding of modern coaching principles and be­come future leaders.
• Implementation of a regional data profiling system for all coaches and players at all age groups as part of your talent ID system throughout the Caribbean. This will assist with more targeted progression through the pathways.
 
3 Sports science and sports medicine
• Invest in benchmarking, Sports Science and Sport Medicine.
• Create a medical department where Surgeons, Doctors, Physiotherapist, Strength & Condi­tioning Coaches are all members and have open communication in regards to players and new standards around International sport.
• TB to appoint from within the network of the medical membership.
•  Medical team at every national and international match played around the Caribbean
• Medical and physical testing to be performed on all players from as young as possible and a data trail kept in conjunction with coaching data.
• Have Fitness Testing done at the best of times to impact each National team program (min 3 per year).
• First fitness test was done last September I have attached results.
• Development of a regional strength and conditioning philosophy.
• Weekend performance workshop to be held annually and to include coaches, physios, S&Cs etc.
 
4 Athlete Academy
• Establish a World Class National Cricket Academy with systematic programs, which are driven by the West Indies Way philosophy.
• Over time TB academies to be established and driven by the same philosophy as in the Na­tional Cricket Academy.
• The philosophy is to identify and select the most talented cricketers, and to develop them through excellent coaching and support services in outstanding facilities, in order for them to achieve their potential.
• National Cricket Academy to facilitate male/female elite age group and senior holistic de­velopment programs both part time and full time.
• The creation of an environment where behavior, commitment, attitude and public face are driven by the West Indies Way philosophy, demonstrated by players and teams on and off the field both nationally and internationally.