Scottish cricket ace, Kyle Coetzer, has joined the North East’s leading sports college, strengthening its cricket academy team and giving future sporting stars the chance to work with a world-class coach.
Kyle brings over a decade of professional international cricketing experience to Gateshead College’s Cricket Academy, which is run in partnership with Durham Cricket Board at Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport.
Kyle, who was part of the Scotland cricket team which beat Hong Kong in the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 championships this year, joins the college as assistant cricket coach alongside head coach Mick Armstrong.
The 32-year-old, who moved back to the region with his wife and three-year-old daughter following his appointment, said: “This role is a perfect opportunity for me to pass on my knowledge and skills to the next generation of professional cricket players.
“I’ve already been very impressed by the dedication and talent of the students enrolled at the Cricket Academy, and I look forward to seeing current and future students’ technical ability and professional sports careers progress under my guidance.
“The facilities provided through the academy are fantastic. Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport provides students with outstanding opportunities to develop their knowledge and practical skills in a fantastic environment, with key support from industry experts and access to specialist equipment.”
Kyle brings over 12 years of professional cricketing experience to the team, including playing roles at Durham County Cricket Club and and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. He most recently coached the Scottish ladies and under 19s teams while gaining his English Cricket Board Level 3 qualification.
Since its launch in 2011, Gateshead College’s Cricket Academy has guided a number of students to success, resulting in professional players and careers as coaches. Current student Alasdair Appleby was recently chosen as one of only six players to travel to Bangalore in India for hot weather training with Durham Cricket Academy.
Alasdair, who is 18 and from Ponteland said: “It is fantastic to have mentors like Kyle and Mick who have come from professional sporting and coaching backgrounds.
“Gateshead College has provided me with some great opportunities which I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. I hope to go on to a professional career in cricket and I feel confident that I can following my training with the Cricket Academy.”
The academy is based at Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport at Gateshead International Stadium, with facilities including a fully-equipped gym, a performance lab, an aerobics studio, sports science and medicine facilities and indoor athletics track featuring six lane 60m sprint straight, jumps and throws cage.
The Cricket Academy provides a two-year programme for 16 to 18 year olds, including five hours of training each week from expert coaches, as well as video analysis, nutrition, physiotherapy, technical and tactical training and net practice. Elite athletes are also offered strength and conditioning training, preparing them physically for high level training and competing.
Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport is home to 9 sport academies in athletics, boxing, basketball, golf, men’s football, women’s football, netball, rugby league and rugby union.. Any full time Gateshead College student can become a member of a sport academy, they do not have to be studying sport.
To find out more about Gateshead College and the courses on offer, please visit www.gateshead.ac.uk. Or email sport@gateshead.ac.uk