Riaz Richards appointed Olympic R66T Academy Head Coach
Posted on 20th October 2023 at 13:34
The R66T Academy is excited to announce the appointment of Riaz Richards as the new Olympic R66T Academy (Maryland, USA) Head Coach. Fresh from his involvement in the World Cup - working with The Netherlands - Riaz will be making the move across the pond to lead and deliver the Olympic R66T Academy, in partnership with Olympic Indoor Sports.
Riaz has more than 25 years’ experience as a cricket coach, having worked internationally as the National Coach of Morocco and coaching at one of the best cricket schools in South Africa, Wynberg Boys’ High School. He has also been the Head Coach of the Michael Vaughan Cricket Academy and coached at Berkhamsted Cricket Club, Westerford High School and Victoria Cricket Club.
The Level 3 Coach - who was part of the Kenyan squad that shocked world cricket by reaching the 2003 World Cup semi-finals - has previously coached Joe Root, JP Duminy, Ashwell Prince, Rory Kleinveldt and many other First Class cricketers. Furthermore, the South African oversaw Sheffield Collegiate CC’s junior programme, with both Joe and Billy Root coming through the ranks during Riaz’s time in Yorkshire.
He has previously worked with international teams such as India, South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand as a liaison officer - gaining experience in the international game across all formats. Riaz has been involved in both World Test Championship Finals, numerous World Cups and several bilateral series' during his career.
Riaz has a proven track record of successfully introducing and implementing new structures and ideas, and an excellent understanding of team dynamics and working with players. He has a coaching philosophy based on ensuring that both technical and mental skills are improved. Moreover, he is an ambitious coach who believes in upholding the traditions of the game, whilst ensuring that all training methods are of the highest level and in-line with modern trends. His coaching philosophy is firmly based on the 3-E philosophy – enjoy, encourage, excel.
Discussing the appointment of Riaz, Chris Millard, R66T Academy Managing Director, said: "We are delighted that Riaz will be joining our team as The R66T Academy's new Baltimore High Performance Coach. With more than 25 years' experience, he has worked with some of the best teams and players in world cricket.
"He is an ambitious coach with a proven track record of improving players and we look forward to seeing him work with our new cohort of R66T Academy cricketers in Baltimore."
Meanwhile, Riaz added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed Baltimore R66T Cricket Academy Head Coach. It’s a fantastic opportunity to grow the game in a region that has huge potential and at a time when cricket has just been announced as an Olympic Sport during the (home) Games of LA 2028, and when the country will be co-hosting a World Cup in 2024.
“The opportunity to work with The R66T Academy is very exciting. I coached both Joe and Billy at Sheffield Collegiate, so to now contribute to an Academy bearing their name and hopefully encourage and inspire others to play this great game is something I'm really looking forward to.”
The full-time R66T Cricket Academy in Maryland, Baltimore is launching later this year. Players will train throughout the week, with matches arranged on weekends. We are welcoming applications from players in and around the Maryland area who wish to join the Academy this season.
It will be open to players aged six to 19, and we will have U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 teams representing the Academy in competitive matches. There will be up to two games played on weekends during the summer season (April 15 - October 15).
To find out more about the Academy and how to apply, click here.
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