MRF Coaching conference ends on a high note

After three days of coaching sophistry, the like of which India had never seen before, the MRF Coaching Seminar at Chennai drew to a close on a note of relief, light-heartedness and satisfaction. Organisers MRF could pat themselves on the back for a job well done, and the main speakers at the conference can walk away believing they've made a difference. Dennis Lillee, Greg and Trevor Chappell, Sandy Gordon and Mark Portus had a lot to offer, commanding rapt attention and respect, every time they took the stage.

Lillee, who has now been coming to Chennai for sixteen years for his work with MRF, made it clear that he believed that the seminar had done everyone a world of good: "It's been a good few days. We've got good feedback and interestingly in the end someone asked a very good question. He asked us what we got out of the conference and that's a good thing, because we keep learning all the time. As I said earlier, we're not the last word on any of these things - we're just sharing what we know. The awareness now towards what we're trying to achieve with coaching techniques is very high, certainly much higher than when we started off. The other important thing is that there are a few young cricketers here, who played recently and have become coaches. They accept new methods readily and they're the future."

Not long ago, a seminar of this kind would never have happened. Teams, and countries, liked to guard their secrets closely. Thanks to an arrangement with MRF, the Australian academy regularly sends down teams to experience playing in Indian conditions. Greg Chappell underscored MRF's work in this regard.

"Australia are the leaders of the pack over the moment and I think it's important that we share whatever knowledge and information we've gathered. MRF have made a huge investment in cricket in this country and it's their vision really."

From its early inception, TA Sekhar has spearheaded the pace foundation's activities. He explained the real purpose behind hosting a seminar of this kind: "The National Cricket Academy was started two or three years back and we thought it was better to work closely with them. These guys [Lillee, Chappell and Co.] are all legends and walking universities when it comes to cricket. This is the best way for us to make sure that there is uniformity in coaching standards. This is what we've been working towards in the last sixteen years. A conference of this sort is the best platform for coaches to learn the latest developments in the game. From there it will filter down to district, college and school coaches."

Lillee however, went one step further, suggesting that there was a cyclical element to being on top and India might well find themselves in that position not far from now. "In ten years time, there's every chance that the Australians may be coming here to update themselves. That's not a joke. In the past people on top were worried about passing on their knowledge, thinking that would make them lose their edge. Clearly that's not true."

A feature of the conference was the manner in which cricketers who achieved high levels of success in their careers left all their baggage behind and got down to the nuts and bolts of coaching. From the outset, there was an accent on coaches staying in the background, giving all the credit to the individuals and teams who actually play the game. By the end of three days, this lesson was well taught - by personal example. Whether it was as well learned, is a matter of conjecture.