Cyprus national cricket team head coach Terry Holt believes cricket can develop into a strong national sport
TERRY Holt earned his first coaching certificate in 1966 and has ever since been involved with the gentleman’s sport.
Holt developed an interest in coaching junior and senior cricketers during his playing career at Rawtenstall Cricket Club, in the Lancashire League. After obtaining his coaching certificate he started teaching 11 to 16 year olds and within 2 years he was working with the Lancashire Schools Cricket Association as one of their coaches on the junior program. In 1976 he got his advanced certificate and became an ECB Senior Staff Coach soon afterwards. Holt was also appointed as one of the coaches to the England Schools U15 and U19 national squads.
“This came about when the ITV television company decided to run a program called “There’s No Place Like Home”. They asked me to appear on television coaching a young boy from Cyprus whose parents had expressed a wish to appear on the television program with a view to retuning to England,” replied Holt when asked what inspired him to take the job of the head coach of the Cypriot national cricket team.
“Through the ECB I contacted Steve Carr (then the chairman of Cyprus Cricket Association) and, after much conversation, I agreed to come and coach the juniors at the Happy Valley on a Saturday morning, the next time I was on holiday in Cyprus. This was made possible due to me having a holiday home in Paphos, which I have had for some five years. After many visits to Cyprus, each one involving coaching at Happy Valley with the Cyprus Cricket Association, I was asked if I would act as head coach for the Association and I was more than delighted to accept.”
With the ICC European Division 4 Championship scheduled for 8-13 of September in Cyprus we asked Holt is he was familiar with the opposition his side will face at this event and what are his expectations.
“This is a new experience for me and whilst I have tried to familiarise myself with all the teams in Division 4 of the European Championship, it has not been easy. The one team Cyprus have played previously has been Finland, who proved to be a strong side. We expect every team in the competition to be strong, difficult opponents and we must therefore be at our best in every game. I have, therefore, focused, on our strong points and concentrated on being positive in everything we do.”
“I expect that the Cyprus cricket national team will give 100 per cent in every game and will be totally determined to win as many matches as possible. I expect the team to play hard competitive cricket in the right spirit. We will go into the competition respecting every one of our opponents whilst at the same time trying hard to ensure that we end the tournament as champions,” he added.
Since cricket in Cyprus is clearly improving year after year we wanted to hear what Holt’s opinion is on cricket in Cyprus and how he sees the future of this sport within the country.
“Cyprus cricket is in the early stages of its development and, with a sound management structure, it has every chance of developing into a strong national sport. There are many opportunities for both young and older players to take part and develop their interest in the game, thereby increasing the number of players throughout the country.”
“There is every opportunity for Cyprus cricket to develop and move forward to the highest possible international level. This has been demonstrated by the meteoric rise of European international cricket teams who have progressed to a higher level of competition. With hard work by all concerned there is no reason why Cyprus cannot become a strong cricketing country with many people playing and enjoying this wonderful game,” concluded Holt.
