Sport has a power that no other phenomenon has. It can connect people, it can unite them, often it can get the better of you. It gets your emotions high and the adrenaline pumps up. Of all artificial differences in human lives, the sport has the magic to pass these bridges and get communities together.
In a much-appreciated move, CSA or Cricket South Africa has appointed Dinesha Devnarain as the full-time women under-19 coach. She will also be seen coaching the Women’s National Academy as the head coach. She has worked as the assistant coach in the women’s national academy since 2017. She has now been awarded a three-year contract commencing from April 2020. Cricket experts feel that a move to recruit a professional of her capability will strengthen the women’s game for the better.
Former Momentum Proteas all-rounder Dinesha Devnarain has been appointed in a dual role as the first full-time Head Coach for Women’s Under-19s and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s National Academy.
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— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 6, 2020
She, further, has an important under her belt as the coach. The inaugural under-19 world cup scheduled in Bangladesh shall have the women from all member countries. Dinesha will see her side in the important tournament. The performance of the side will depend a lot on the inputs that the new coach will bring with herself. The senior officials at Cricket South Africa expect that she will shape the Proteas cricketing future in a wonderful manner.
Interim Chief Executive Officer of CSA Jacques Faul believes that Dinesha’s appointment will strengthen the female game and will encourage more players to serve the national side to produce professionals of international grade. He adds that as an ex-player Dinesha knows the pressure and whatnots of playing at this stage. She can train her players for the stage in a more comprehensive manner as she has already been in their shoes.
Dinesha made her international debut in 2008. Her career had 29 one day matches alongside 22 matches of T20I game. in 2016, she opted to retire and shifted her interest to train players for the future. Interestingly, she obtained a level three coaching certificate from CSA at the end phase of her career even before retiring. Her journey has been inspiring by all means. She can be a role model of women of her community. T
he game needs players and, importantly, individuals like her to open sport as an alternative to billions. Moreover, she has been one of the few ladies in her country to be handed a level three certificate. Only eight other certificates have been dispatched from CSA. She belongs from KwaZulu Natal and has served her regional side prior to the new endeavor. She was coaching the KWZ coastal under-19 women provincial side.
Interestingly, she was playing in the side as well while coaching the provincial team. As a coach of the team, which is supervising, her role will be essential in carving out the best Protea side for the future. As Jacques explains further, Dinesha shall look to close the gap between the current national side and the emerging side. She has an immense role to play in the Protea future and their scheme of things for fixtures ahead.
A lot of eminent South African players are at their later stages in cricketing career and it is anticipated that within two or three years, new faces will have the key roles in the national side. Talking about her new assignment, Dinesha expresses happiness and excitement. She feels that she will do justice to the talent that lies in the provincial teams of South Africa and will get the national side to new heights.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.