Regional Performance Managers Appointed
7th August 2018
| Mallory Gray
Regional Performance Managers Appointed
Cricket Wales is delighted to announce the appointments of Darren Thomas (Neath), Colin Grindey (North - Rydal Penrhos School), Michael Clayden (Sophia Gardens) and Alistair Waldron (Ebbw Vale) as Regional Performance Managers of their respective centres across the country. As part of the new pathway that is being implemented from November 2018, all four roles are instrumental in ensuring that Wales’ youngsters benefit from a more structured and comprehensive programme throughout the winter and summer.
As well as a distinguished career for Glamorgan spanning 13 years, Darren brings a wealth of coaching experience to the programme having been involved in the National Age Group setup for several years, running the Neath National Development Centre in addition to his coaching duties with Wales Minor Counties. Darren was recently successful in securing a place on the much coveted ECB Level IV course, which will only serve to benefit the programme moving forward.
Colin joins the team with an extensive coaching background having held numerous roles with the Cheshire Cricket Board, including Development and Coaching Officer for over ten years. An ECB Level 3 Coach, Colin has been involved with Eyri Cricket in the North for the last few years in addition to coaching at National Development centre level. His knowledge and experience will be of invaluable benefit to the youngsters in the North who will be based out of Rydal Penrhos School.
A well-known and highly respected figure around Sophia Gardens and South Wales, Michael will lead the delivery at the home of Glamorgan CCC. Michael is currently National Head Coach of the Wales U14s and his experience in delivering at National Development Centre level previously will be hugely valuable going forward. A fine league, minor counties and Glamorgan 2nd XI cricketer in his own right ‘Clayds’ is an ECB Level 3 Coach.
Having also been involved in the National Age Group setup for a number of years, Ali’s broad coaching background is largely in Coach Education and Sport Development across Cricket and Cycling (he is currently Workforce Officer for Welsh Cycling). An ECB Coach Education Tutor, Ali is himself a highly accomplished Level 3 Coach and will undoubtedly add considerable value to the Ebbw Vale centre.
Cricket Wales Talent Programme Manager, Matt Thompson stated “we are delighted to have acquired four outstanding people (and coaches) to lead the delivery and management of the four Regional Performance Centres. The direction and success of the new pathway relies greatly upon having great people in the right places and I am very confident we have done that with these four appointments. Darren, Mike, Colin and Ali all stood out during the interview process and deserve these opportunities to make a real difference to the development of our young boys and girls.”