National recognition for cricket coach

1/5/2009

Cricket coach Mike Hesson (1988-92) has revealed he will likely make his next season with Otago his last but is excited about his future after being invited to join a new Sparc coaching programme.

Mike Hesson

Mike is one of six rising coaches included in the programme which is aimed at honing their skills where Sparc, under its Coach Accelerator concept, says good coaches will be turned into great ones’’.

The inaugural intake consists of Hesson, Willmott, All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen, Central Pulse netball coach Yvette McCausland-Durie, New Zealand track cycling assistant coach Dayle Cheatley and New Zealand junior rowing coach Dave Thompson.

Mike, who is also in charge of New Zealand A, was one of 40 coaches to apply for the six positions and is delighted to have been included in the frist intake. After a number of years under the guidance of cricketing great Glenn Turner (1961-64), Mike took the reins of the Otago side four years ago and has built an impressive record.

Under him, Otago has won a State Shield and a domestic twenty/20 title, has contested three other finals and has promoted six players into the Black Caps.

The Coach Accelerator programme is aimed at addressing a shortfall of world-class coaches in New Zealand. Financial support and professional development training will be provided for the six coaches, while a further five coaches will be selected each year.