The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given current first-class cricketers and national players a glimpse of a possible career beyond playing through a five-day Level 1 coaching course that concluded on September 16.
Held from September 12 to 16, the course brought together several national players and current first-class cricketers, introducing them to the other side of the player-coach relationship.
Alongside cricket techniques, participants learned about coaching philosophy, leadership, communication and the responsibilities of a coach as a teacher and mentor. The course also stressed the importance of using established and documented methods rather than relying solely on personal assumptions.
Former national pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi said the experience gave him a different perspective on the game.
“I have attended many classes as a player, but this was my first experience attending one as a coach. It was a new experience and I learned a lot from the experienced coaches who conducted the course,” Rabbi told TIMES.
Participants were also encouraged to consider how they communicate with different players and adapt their coaching methods according to circumstances.
BCB coach Sohel Islam, one of the instructors, said the players’ competitive experience helped them understand the practical side of coaching.
“This batch had many national team players and current first-class cricketers, so they already had a lot of playing experience. That made it easier for them to understand the practical aspects of coaching and connect them with the theory,” Sohel said.
He believes that experience could benefit those who later pursue coaching.
“If they come into coaching in the future, they have a good chance of doing well. They also learned how they need to study and prepare themselves if they want to become better coaches,” he added.
Rabbi is yet to decide whether coaching will become his next career, but the course has encouraged him to study the game more deeply and consider higher qualifications.
“I have not yet decided whether I will come into coaching. But I will prepare for the Level 2 course and continue learning. After this course, I have developed a new interest in studying cricket. I feel I should read more about the game and keep learning,” Rabbi said.
Certification is still pending. Participants will sit an examination and complete a post-course book or assignment, with successful candidates receiving the coaching certificate.
