Piet Botha Appointed as new Chevrolet Warriors Coach

Cricket Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd today announced the appointment of Piet Botha as the new Chevrolet Warriors coach. With Russell Domingo taking up his new position as the Assistant Coach to the Proteas from 1 August 2011 the position of Chevrolet Warriors coach became vacant. Piet has been the Warriors Assistant Coach for the past 6 years as well as heading up the EP Cricket Academy and coaching the EP Provincial team.

He brings with him a wealth of experience both on and off the field. He has been involved with cricket since 1984 and made his debut for Transvaal in 1987 and represented SA A in 1996/97.

In addition to Botha’s appointment, the Board has also appointed Adrian Birrell as Manager of Coaching Development. Adi has spent the past few years in Ireland and will return to his Eastern Cape roots to take up this position.

Given the uniqueness of the Eastern Cape with regard to developing and advancing talented young players in general and Black African players in particular, Birrell’s position will put the spotlight on this very important aspect of player development in our region.

“In my time as CEO of Cricket Eastern Cape I cannot easily recall a decision made by the Board that is as progressive and far reaching as the one to appoint Piet Botha as Head Coach of the Chevrolet Warriors  and Adi Birrell as the Manager of Coaching Development. In the case of Piet he is someone who though hard work and commitment to becoming a top class coach has earned himself a fine reputation in South African Cricket circles. He has made a profound study of the game and this knowledge backed by a highly successful cricket playing career makes him highly suitable to take over from Russell Domingo.

Adi Birrell as someone who will work with the all important feeder systems and in doing so harness the undoubted talent that we have is an ideal person to fulfill this role. His credentials as a developer of cricketers is impeccable and to my mind his appointment is our passport to success.

I commend the Board on their vision of looking further than merely appointing  a Head Coach. Their consideration and understanding that the Chevrolet Warriors are only as good as the feeder systems is a great example of visionary leadership.” said CEO Dave Emslie.

Chevrolet, sponsors of the Warriors are “delighted with the appointment of Piet Botha as new head coach of the Chevrolet Warriors.  An integral contributor to the team’s success in recent seasons as assistant coach, the appointment of Piet will ensure continuity in the coaching approach.

Equally, Chevrolet welcomes the appointment of Adrian Birrell to the position of Director of Coaching Development continuing the great work in developing talent in the community served by Cricket Eastern Cape, ” so says Malcolm Gauld, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for General Motors South Africa, custodians of the Chevrolet brand.

CEC Chairman, Chris Nenzani said “Cricket Eastern Cape is confident that the new coaching team that has been appointed will continue to take cricket in the region to new heights. Both Botha and Birrell have vast experience and together will form a formidable team that will see both the professional team as well as our youngsters getting the best possible coaching and mentoring”

Piet Botha will take up his post on 1 August 2011. The team will start their Champions League preparation which sees them traveling to India for the tournament in late September. Adi Birrell will start on 1 September.

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