Bob Woolmer trust fund established

The late Bob Woolmer

Bob Woolmer was one of world cricket’s most recognisable characters and servants of the game. Following a successful playing career where he represented England in 19 tests and six one-day internationals, he turned to coaching and arguably became the most successful international player-turned-coach.

Woolmer’s international coaching career started in South Africa where he moulded a group of young players – all of whom were new to international cricket – into one of the best teams in world cricket at the time. He was a pioneer in modern coaching methods, including the use of computer technology to analyse his opponents as well as hone his own player’s skills.

His coaching was based on a simple premise: the more enjoyable he could make the game, the better his players would respond. He was creative and adventurous and no two practice sessions were alike when Woolmer was in charge.

Being one of the top coaches in world cricket did not stop him from sharing his skills and philosophies with the emerging cricketers of the world. He was appointed as the ICC's high-performance manager where he used his considerable talents for the advancement of cricket in these countries.

He returned to the forefront of international cricket when he accepted the post of coach of the Pakistan national team which came to a sudden end with his passing on 18 March 2007 in Jamaica at the age of 58 years.

Instrumental

At the time of his death, Woolmer was instrumental in the creation of a ground-breaking coaching project in the South African Lowveld with Jonty Rhodes which is due to open its doors in 2008. This will bring together his vast knowledge and experience in one place where the “Bob Woolmer Philosophy” will be passed on to both cricketers and coaches - local and international - from beginner to professional.

The coaching philosophy around which this academy (to be known as the Bob Woolmer Cricket Academy, in his memory) is to be built is embodied in a 600-page coaching manual written by Woolmer and Professor Tim Noakes. It pulls together all the years of experience Bob gained coaching around the world as well as his own unique cricketing philosophies. Tragically, the final manuscript reached the West Indies the day after Woolmer died.

Sponsorship required

In order to ensure that his legacy is preserved, the Bob Woolmer Trust Fund has been established. The immediate aims and objectives of the Bob Woolmer Trust Fund (BWTF) are as follows:

• To ensure that his legacy and teachings live on through the creation of the Bob Woolmer Cricket Academy (BWCA) that is going to be built outside Nelspruit in the South African Lowveld. The academy is for the benefit of world cricket, not just South African cricket, and will be run as a not-for-profit organisation. One of the objectives, however, of the BWCA is that children from underprivileged communities in South Africa will benefit in both a sporting and academic way.

• To ensure that his book – Discovering Cricket: The Art and Science of the Game – co-written with Prof Noakes, is published. This cricket manifesto and the philosophy behind it will become the foundation for the coaching and teachings at the Academy and will live on and grow through the staff.

• To provide financial security for his immediate family – wife Gill, and sons Dale and Russell – their breadwinner has died and they need to be looked after in the future.

The trust will be governed under South African law and will have as its founding trustees: Gill Woolmer (assisted by sons Dale and Russell); Jonty Rhodes; Prof Noakes; Barry Richards.

It is expected that additional trustees will be added later. The auditors of the trust will be KPMG – a reputable international accounting firm. All monies raised will be administered by the trust for the objectives outlined above.

People from anywhere in the world will be able to make donations to the BWTF via a secure payment gateway using credit cards at www.bobwoolmer.com or make contributions by way of a direct deposit into the account.

Direct deposits can also be made to the following bank account:

BOB WOOLMER FUND
STANDARD BANK
NELSPRUIT
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 3313 58 204
SWIFT NUMBER: SBZA ZA JJ (the swift number is required when making deposits outside of South Africa)

Further information regarding the Bob Woolmer Trust Fund, the Bob Woolmer Cricket Academy and Discovering Cricket: The Art and Science of the Game is available at www.bobwoolmer.com.