Pithey to weave his own magic
New Canterbury Magicians coach Richard Pithey is entrusted with returning the team back to its former glory.
The Magicians have consistently set the standard at domestic level in New Zealand but, last season, dropped below their usual benchmark finishing fourth in the one-day arena and losing the T20 competition final.
Pithey, 46, replaces Brendon Donkers who is assisting with the Canterbury men’s line-up.
‘‘The aim will be to get the senior players performing back at their best and making the younger players feel comfortable to contribute,’’ Pithey said.
Canterbury’s indifferent season was reflected in recent White Ferns selections where skipper Amy Satterthwaite was surprisingly dropped for the T20 World Cup while the province’s national representation was well below past seasons.
‘‘I think we have seen how well the girls have responded already to their setbacks with Amy and Lea Tahuhu fighting their way back to win selection for the latest White Ferns team.’’
Pithey said other players close to New Zealand selection such as Rachel Candy and Erin Bermingham had been furthering their playing careers by appearing for Surrey and Kent respectively in England while wicketkeeperbatsman Meg Kendal was playing in Ireland.
‘‘It’s great to see these girls showing the right attitude and getting out of their comfort zone to get more experience.’’
Pithey said he wanted to use Neil Tyndall (fitness) and John Quinn (mental skills) to further player development.
‘‘They are not paid professionals but we aim to treat them like that and create as a professional an environment as possible.’’
Pithey, who hails from South Africa, has plenty of cricketing pedigree behind him with father Tony and uncle David having played for the Proteas in the early 1960s.
Pithey, a physical education teacher in South Africa, started his coaching qualifications while he was playing at university.
A lifestyle change led to Pithey securing a job as coach and executive director of Mid-Canterbury in 2008. He coached various Mid Canterbury teams including Hawke Cup, U19, U15, and Primary sides and has also coached Canterbury U15 and U16 teams.
Pithey now works for Canterbury Cricket as its director of amateur coaching taking over much of the role previously held by Richard Hayward. He will combine the Magicians job with his other commitments, which also included helping guide the championshipwinning (two-day) St Albans premier men’s side of last season.
Pithey will be assisted by another Canterbury Cricket staff member Andrew Reid who is currently player development coach.