Academy coaches lend support to school community study project

Bennett King, head coach of the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy (CBCA), has travelled more than 400 kilometres by road to deliver a cricket presentation to primary students at Whyalla Stuart Campus in South Australia today (15 November).

King will provide insight about his role at the academy, his day-to-day tasks and the path that led to his appointment as head coach of Australia's elite cricket academy, where he oversees the development and progression of the country's next generation of players.

He will also conduct a skills coaching session for Whyalla's most promising young cricketers.

The trip, organised by one of the school teachers, is part of the students' community study project to learn more about life beyond school and jobs in the workforce.

Despite the CBCA coach's demanding current schedule, King said he had no hesitation in accepting the call to be involved in the community study project.

"It is going to be as much an educational experience for me as it will be for the students," said King.

"Even though it's quite a distance to travel, not everyone has access to the resources and personnel that we take for granted in centrally located regions.

"We need to be able to bring cricket to everyone regardless of location, and if sharing my experiences and stories can provide insight and direction for the students, I'm more than happy to be involved," he said.

King has made the journey to Whyalla with Australian Cricket Board (ACB) coach David Moore.

After accepting the invitation to work with the students, King believed there was more scope and value to add to the visit.

Moore will run an in-service with the teachers at Whyalla Stuart Campus to include coach education skills and personal development issues.

A qualified teacher, Moore has been a lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Development at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney and is currently completing a doctorate in education at the University of New England.

"David has valuable cricket knowledge as a former first-class player, but he adds another dimension with his expertise in education and I'm sure our visit can provide a good balance for the school community with on and off-field components," said King.

"This is a great chance for the elite side of the game to work with the grassroots, and for Australian cricket to help young people in our community."

Appointed to the head coach position at the CBCA in February 2002, King replaced long-serving academy coach Rod Marsh.

Before taking over the reins at the academy, King led the Queensland Bulls to three Pura Cup titles in three seasons (1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02) as its head coach.

Whyalla, located on the north-western coast of the Spencer Gulf, is South Australia's second largest city with a population of more than 21,000.