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Superbike Championship announces full schedule for 2022

The Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship has announced its schedule for 2022 as it returns to a full calendar for the first time since 2019. With continuing support from Dunlop, a seven weekend championship will begin with the official test days in March and continue with a race event every month between April and September.

The six race events will all take place at Mondello Park, County Kildare, with three on the venues’ National Track and three on the International Track. For the first time the test weekend will also utilise both circuits over its two days. The championship will also feature some new initiatives along with an increase in the Superbike prize-fund.

Following one of the most competitive Superbike seasons for many years the championship promoters are looking to continue to grow the quality and quantity of bikes and riders involved in the feature classes. For 2022 the Superbike and Supersport categories will have longer qualifying sessions and Superbike competitors will also race for an increased prize fund. The value of the prize fund will increase by 30% with the Superbike awards increasing by more than €1,200 per event. Changes to the championship points scoring system are currently being finalised in an effort to keep more riders fighting for the championship right up until the final event.

A new award is being planned which will allow Junior riders across all categories compete against each other for the title of young racer of the year. The series will use a radical points scoring system which will see riders scoring more points the more competitors they finish ahead of, thereby rewarding performances in the more competitive classes.

Mondello Park will also continue its policy of trying to encourage young racers into the sport next season by supporting the FIM MiniGP Ireland Series. The FIM MiniGP racers will join the Masters for two events, with the championship for ten to fourteen year old’s incorporated into the timetable at the May and August rounds. In addition, Mondello Park and Motorcycling Ireland are offering a scholarship to one lucky rider who will be given the use of a MiniGP Ohvale for the full 2022 season. Applications for the scholarship are currently being taken and details can be found on fimminigpireland.com.

Further details of the new Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship season will be announced over the coming weeks as the championship gets ready for its thirteenth year. Preparations for the new season can be followed on the championship web site, masterssuperbike.ie and its social media pages.

2022 Championship dates

March 25/27 – Pre-season Testing – National & International Track
April 23/24 – Rounds 1-3 – National Track
May 21/22 – Rounds 4-6 – International Track
June 25/26 – Rounds 7-9 – National Track
July 23/24 – Rounds 10-12 – International Track
August 27/28 – Rounds 13-15 – National Track
September 24/25 – Rounds 16-18 – International Track

Injury News – Leinster Rugby’s Dan Leavy out until end of March

Dan Leavy, the flanker underwent a procedure to stabilise a fracture in his wrist last week and will be unavailable for at least two months.

The Leinster Rugby coaching team have provided an update on the squad ahead of this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Montpellier.

That game at the RDS Arena kicks off at 1pm on Sunday and is live on BT Sport and beIN Sports.

There are currently two players in isolation due to Covid-19 – one as a close contact – and this follows the latest round of PCR testing carried out at Leinster Rugby yesterday.

There was disappointing news on Dan Leavy, the flanker underwent a procedure to stabilise a fracture in his wrist last week and will be unavailable for at least two months.

There are no further updates on the following:

Conor O’Brien (hamstring), Dave Kearney (back), Michael Milne (calf).

Postponed Champions Cup rugby fixtures set to be 0-0 draws

Following a series of meetings of the Board of EPCR, it has been regrettably decided to cancel the postponed fixtures in Round 2 of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Board has also authorised the EPCR Executive to determine the outcome of the fixtures as provided for in the rules of the tournaments and the EPCR Executive has decided that the appropriate solution is to record the results in each of the five Heineken Champions Cup and the two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures in question as 0-0 draws with two match points awarded to each club (see below).

The Board and the Executive have been guided by input from the deliberations of the EPCR Sporting and Tournaments Committee which like the EPCR Board is made up of representatives of the URC, PRL and TOP 14 leagues.

The Round 2 matches were initially postponed following the unforeseen introduction of new travel measures between the UK and France which resulted in EPCR being unable to obtain assurances that existing cross-border travel exemptions for players, club staff and match officials would remain in place.

The options of modifying the tournament formats and/or rescheduling the matches were deliberated in great detail by all parties, however, in an increasingly complex fixture calendar due to Covid-19, it was regrettably decided that the only choice in the circumstances was to cancel the matches.

The Board then considered how the seven matches should be accounted for in the standings of the tournaments and it was satisfied that the correct approach was for the EPCR Executive to apply the Match Result Resolution Matrix as set out in the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Participation Agreement.

On the basis that none of the clubs involved were in a position to play once the EPCR Board had postponed the seven matches due to the new restrictive travel measures, the only option open to the EPCR Executive under the provisions of the Match Result Resolution Matrix was to record the results as 0-0 draws and to award two match points to each club.

A distinction should be drawn between the decisions in respect of the seven Round 2 matches in question and other tournament fixtures which were previously cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreaks or forced isolations affecting player availability.

Those previously cancelled fixtures could not have been played as scheduled under any circumstances, whereas the clubs involved in the Round 2 matches in question were all cleared and available to contest the matches.

Therefore, the determined outcomes of the three previously cancelled or forfeited Heineken Champions Cup fixtures, and the one EPCR Challenge Cup fixture, will stand.

EPCR would also like to thank all its participating clubs for their patience and understanding in what are extremely difficult times and wishes everyone well for the matches in Rounds 3 and 4.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
The results of the following Round 2 fixtures are recorded as 0-0 draws with two match points awarded to each club:

Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais
Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne
Scarlets v Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Stade Toulousain v Wasps
Stade Francais Paris v Bristol Bears

The businesses that are booming thanks to the GAA’s popularity

Thanks to the GAA and its continued rise in popularity, other businesses are experiencing their own booms. Despite the game’s unaltered amateur status, players of all grades are making the changes necessary to improve their own performances. As a result, the demand for physios, dieticians, analysts, strength coaches, and recovery facilities is at an all-time high.

GAA businesses – New Age

Gone are the days of club players arriving at a game half an hour before throw-in. Now you will see players entering dressing rooms with foam rollers under their arms, tape holding every joint in place, and the day’s most popular protein bar bouncing on the gear bag. This isn’t a complaint by any means. In fact, there is an undeniable correlation between the rise of such careful preparation and the growing attention club games have received.

At inter-county level, each team has a physio, a strength and conditioning coach or coaches, and a dietician. Not to mention whatever facilities they need for recovery on hand. This has allowed many large companies to enter the game.

Club teams do not have the same resources to employ such a giant of the industry. Instead, most clubs make do with their own version of an analyst who will film games and forward footage on to coaches. Many college students of the Sports Science variety spend their work placements doing such jobs for club teams and even for underage county teams. With club teams inherently dismissed when compared to their inter-county compatriots, there is an open market for analysts willing to grind their teeth.

Across the Board

Analysis is just one example of a business directly profiting thanks to the GAA. The most obvious is perhaps the world of strength and conditioning. In the last decade, the emphasis on training has shifted. Previously, ball skills were trained without competition and gym work was considered more of a hobby for players. Now, these ball skills are almost taken as a given and a player is expected to adhere to twelve week gym programmes.

Consequently, the demand for sports scientists has reached new heights. However, with so much training, an emphasis also has to be placed on recovery. Enter the emerging studios where players can do it all in one go. Compression boots, ice baths, saunas and massage guns. All of these things were exclusive to the elite teams of the game but now they are accessible for the average club player.

Furthermore, the role of dieticians has been given new prominence among the amateur game. This profession is perhaps the most recent to experience a spike. Partly due to the success of Dublin nutritionist, Daniel Davey.

Look the Part

Those not so interested in the physical side of things can also find success thanks to the GAA. Anyone willing to give live scores and constant updates on social media can build a following. For example, Ah Ref is Mayo’s version of this and such is their success that they have extended to Sligo and Galway.

Any follower of the GAA will also have noticed the abundance of new brands on display. O’Neill’s is still the name you will find on most inter-county gear. Although club gear is being made by new companies across the country. Small startups, often by local players, have big markets for football gloves, socks, and gear as a whole. Much of this GAA gear will look the same but in keeping with the spirit of the game, clubs look after local businesses.

As the game continues to flirt with the threshold of amateurism, those with a love for the game can find ample opportunities to benefit from. When many industries are struggling, many more are finding success thanks to the GAA.

More niches that are finding success thanks to the GAA:
– Taking sports photographs like a pro
– The latest in sports massage therapy technology

– Football focused wearables for fitness

 

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

We’ve ranked the ten best defenders in Premier League history, the best midfielders in Premier League history and most recently, the best strikers in Premier League history, but now it is time to find out who are the biggest clubs in English football history?

What makes a big club? Well, many things can be looked at, for instance, how many trophies have been won by the respective club, time spent at the top of English football, how iconic the stadium is, the fanbase, financial importance and global notoriety.

With that being said, here are the ten biggest clubs in England, ranked.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

10. Nottingham Forest

 

11 Major Honours

League Titles (1978), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (2 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Super Cup (1980), Community Shield (1978)

During the Brian Clough era starting in 1975, Nottingham Forest saw a massive overhaul of success. From 1977 to 1990 the club won a single league title, four League cups and most impressively, two European Cups during that timeframe.

With context, those achievements sound even better as the club won all those trophies within three years of getting promoted from the Second Division. Fairytale stuff to say the least.

That being said, the past few decades for the club has seen them relegated twice to the Championship, both in 1997 and in 1999, where they have stayed ever since.

9. Aston Villa

22 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (5 times), European Cup (1982), Uefa Super Cup (1982), Community Shield (1981)

The most successful club in the Midlands, with more European Cups,  than Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham combined, Aston Villa were once a behemoth in English football, with seven league titles, seven FA Cups and five League Cups, Villa are often forgotten by many modern-day football fans as being a ”big club”.

Having experienced six relegations during their history, their last being the 2015/2016 Premier League season, finishing 20th, they were soon back up playing top-flight football and are now a part of the core clubs to represent English football.

8. Leeds United

9 Major Honours

League Titles (3 times), FA Cup (1972), League Cup (1968), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (2 times), Community Shield (2 times)

Talking about a club like Leeds can go either one of two ways, you call them a ”small club” because of their long absence from the Premier League or to go with the norm and refer to them as a ”huge club” in the history of English football, the latter would be the obvious choice for many.

While they spent over 16-years out of the top flight, Leeds has recently made a resurgence, currently in their second season in the Premier League, where they rightfully belong.

A one-club city, Leeds United have won a decent amount of league and domestic cups while making it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, an iconic club in England, Leeds will forever be listed as a top tier club.

7. Everton

24 Major Honours

League Titles (9 times), FA Cup (5 times), Cup Winners Cup (1985), Community Shield (9 times)

In terms of English titles, Everton is only beaten out by three clubs (Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal), and more than Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, the Merseyside club are very much a massive club in English football.

Founded before Liverpool, Everton were once a much bigger and more well-renowned club than their rivals for quite some time, making 13 FA Cup final appearances and winning five since they were founded all the back in 1878.

Their trophy cabinet cannot be doubted, with numerous FA Cups and league titles to their name while boasting a tremendous fanbase and being only one of six clubs to never be relegated during the Premier League era, Everton are simply massive.

6. Tottenham Hotspurs

24 Major Honours

League Titles (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (4 times), Uefa Cups (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1963), Community Shield (7 times)

It is hard not to malign Spurs as a mere nearly club, always in the shadow of London rivals Chelsea and especially Arsenal, Tottenham may not be successful, but they are consistent in terms of cementing their place in the higher echelon of English football.

Always in and around the top 6, Spurs were the first London club to win a league and cup double, but that was all the way back in 1961.

Known for their philosophy of attacking and free-flowing football, they were so close to capturing their first Premier League title under Mauricio Pochetinno and even managed to make their first Champions League final in 2019, losing to Liverpool.

They do, however, have the best stadium in England. Make of that what you will.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

5. Manchester City

28 Major Honours

League Titles (7 times), FA Cup (6 times), League Cup (8 times), Cup Winners Cup (1970), Community Shield (6 times)

Like Chelsea, Manchester City became a footballing powerhouse with outside foreign investment. Bought in 2008 by a Saudi Arabian group led by Sheikh Mansour, City have become the best team in England over the past decade with shrewd signings and beautiful football to match.

Winning five league titles during that timeframe, with the majority of them being record-breaking seasons and being the first club to reach 100 points in the Premier League, a couple of FA Cups and a plethora of League Cups, it is hard to argue that City is not a massive club in today’s footballing landscape, despite much ridicule.

4. Arsenal

47 Major Honours

League Titles (13 times), FA Cup (14 times), League Cup (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (1994), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winner (1970), Community Shield (4 times)

London’s most decorative club based on trophy overhaul since the club’s inception in 1886, Arsenal have the most FA Cup titles with a record of 14 and with the third most league titles in English football with 13, their last being in 2003/04.

During the 1930s, they won five league titles in eight years and four FA Cups, making them at the time, certainly the biggest club in London and perhaps the biggest club in England.

They’ve also been the only side in Premier League history to go a whole season unbeaten, winning the league title in the process. Since then, they have fallen off a cliff, steadily moving down the league table, and without a league title in 17 years. With no European success to their name, they sit fourth.

3. Chelsea

31 Major Honours

League Titles (6 times), European Cup (2 times), FA Cup (8 times), League Cup (5 times), Europa League (2 times), Cup Winners Cup (2 times), Uefa Super Cup (2 times), Community Shield (4 times)

Founded in 1905, Chelsea has always been deemed a good footballing club prior to foreign investment in 2003, winning six trophies in seven years before Roman Abramovich’s purchase, it is very hard to call them a small club.

Chelsea has become an English and European powerhouse over the last 20 years. Winning a slew of league titles, FA Cups and League Cups and are the first London club to win the European Cup.

With their recent success in Europe once again, the tide has turned in London between themselves and Arsenal for the biggest team in the capital. Depending on one’s criteria, either club can top the other but with the massive gap in European honours, Chelsea edge it.

2. Liverpool

63 Major Honours

League Titles (19 times), European Cup (6 times), FA Cup (7 times), League Cup (8 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2019), Europa League (3 times), UEFA Super Cup (4 times), Community Shield (15 times)

When you think of consistent success over the past three to four decades, Liverpool will almost certainly come to mind.

The fact that Liverpool only recently won their first league title in over 30 years a year and a half ago and are only one league title behind rivals Manchester United shows how dominant and successful they were during that time.

Holding the title for most European trophies with 14 and with a record of 6 European Cups along with numerous domestic honours, Liverpool is truly a class above the majority of every English club bar one.

Known for their iconic fans, the historically relevant Anfield and club legends, Liverpool is a truly iconic club.

1. Manchester United

66 Major Honours

League Titles (20 times), European Cup (3 times), FA Cup (12 times), League Cup (5 times), FIFA Club World Cup (2008),  Europa League (2017), Intercontinental Cup (1999), Cup Winners Cup (1991), Uefa Super Cup (1991), Community Shield (21 times)

It’s hard to argue that when it comes to the biggest and most well-known club in England and perhaps, the world, Manchester United take the crown and by a fair distance.

United have won the most league titles, second-most for FA Cup triumphs and a plethora of European success, including three historic European Cup victories, with their last being in 2008 in Moscow. With a larger than life fanbase all over the world, United top the list with relative ease.

Besides England, United are on par with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, with massive success, numerous legends, a historic stadium, the money and the profile to match, United will be hoping they can get back to the level of success under Sir Alex Ferguson that made them the club they are today.

Ranked: Top Ten Biggest Clubs in England

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

Show Jumping – Allegations raised of unauthorised training methods

The FEI is aware of the allegations made in the documentary broadcast on RTL in Germany on 11 January 2022 and is making enquiries regarding the matter. We are already in touch with the German National Federation and will continue to liaise closely with them in order to assess the appropriate course of action.

Ludger Beerbaum

German broadcaster RTL sent videos into the world showing Ludger Beerbaum poling his horses during training. RTL itself collaborated with investigative journalist Günter Wallraff for this report.

Together they worked for two years on an investigation into unauthorized training methods in equestrian sports and violations of animal protection laws.

The welfare of the horse is central to everything that the FEI stands for and we strongly condemn all training methods and practices that are contrary to horse welfare. The FEI has stringent rules in place to protect horse welfare which allow action to be taken both at FEI Events and elsewhere. The FEI absolutely condemns any form of horse abuse and the training methods shown in RTL’s video footage are totally unacceptable from a horse welfare perspective and against FEI Regulations.

The FEI General Regulations (GRs) Article 142 state: No person may abuse a Horse during an Event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse, including, but not limited to:
(vi) To “rap” a Horse.

Article 243.1 of the FEI Jumping rules states: All forms of cruel, inhumane or abusive treatment of Horses, which include, but are not limited to various forms of rapping, are strictly forbidden. Article 243.2.1 goes on to give a non-exhaustive description of what the FEI considers as “rapping”.

The FEI will provide an update as soon as further information is available.

Entries list of possible runners in 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Entries list of possible runners in 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase. There are 22 entries with 11 of them Irish.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y – Wednesday 16th March

Allaho (FR) 8 Cheveley Park Stud Willie Mullins IRE

Allmankind 6 The Gredley Family Dan Skelton

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Captain Guinness (IRE) 7 Declan Landy Henry de Bromhead IRE

Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 10 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

Dunvegan (FR) 9 G. Turner/Clipper Logistics Group Ltd Pat Fahy Ireland IRE

Editeur du Gite (FR) 8 The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs Gary Moore

Energumene (FR) 8 Tony Bloom Willie Mullins IRE

Envoi Allen (FR) 8 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

First Flow (IRE) 10 Mr A. N. Solomons Kim Bailey

Funambule Sivola (FR) 7 My Racing Manager Friends Venetia Williams

Greaneteen (FR) 8 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Hardline (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Hitman (FR) 6 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls

Notebook (GER) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Nube Negra (SPA) 8 Mr T. Spraggett Dan Skelton

Politologue (FR) 11 Mr J. Hales Paul Nicholls

Put The Kettle On (IRE) 8 One For Luck Racing Syndicate Henry de Bromhead IRE

Rouge Vif (FR) 8 Kate & Andrew Brooks Paul Nicholls

Samcro (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Sceau Royal (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King

Shishkin (IRE) 8 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

22 entries

11 Irish-trained

 

Schedule for Release of Entries for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival

The excitement is building for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and we have the release dates for the entries of the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, and all other races.

Tuesday 4th January

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup

Scratchings: Tuesday 8th February

 

Tuesday 11th January

Unibet Champion Hurdle, Close Brothers’ Mares’ Hurdle, Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

Scratchings: Tuesday 8th February

Tuesday 18th January

Sporting Life Arkle Novices’ Chase, National Hunt Chase, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, Turners Novices’ Chase

Scratchings: Tuesday 15th February

Tuesday 25th January

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, JCB Triumph Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Scratchings: Tuesday 15th February

 

Tuesday 15th February

Parnell Properties Novices’ Mares’ Hurdle, Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Tuesday 22nd February

Ultima Handicap Chase, Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, Paddy Power Plate Handicap, Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Weights: Tuesday 1st March

Tuesday 1st March

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, Weatherbys Champion Bumper, St. James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase

Peter Wright is the 2022 PDC World Darts Champion

Peter Wright won the William Hill World Darts Championship for a second time as he defeated Michael Smith 7-5 in Monday’s final.

An Alexandra Palace thriller saw the lead change hands multiple times, before Wright finished strongly to lift the Sid Waddell trophy for a second time in three years, while Smith suffered a second World Championship final defeat.

Smith, seeking a first TV ranking title, was in control of the contest as he led 5-4 in sets and 2-0 in the tenth set, but Wright won nine of the next ten legs to join the list of two-time World Champions.

“I’m over the moon to lift this amazing trophy for a second time,” said Wright, a winner of three TV titles in 2021.

“It was a difficult start to the year from me away from darts but I’ve had a great year on the oche and this tops it off.

“Michael and I didn’t perform how we can for a lot of the game, but it was still an entertaining final because it was so close.

“Michael is the future of darts, I feel for him tonight because I’ve been in his position.

“But, I’ve got to take the chances I get and thankfully I was able to do that tonight.

“I can’t explain what went wrong with my game tonight, I kept swapping darts trying to find something that worked and thankfully I had a good run at the end.

“Thank you to the crowd for turning out to support us all tournament, they were amazing.”

Smith was left distraught after losing his eighth televised final in nine attempts, as his wait for a first TV ranking title goes on.

Despite his latest disappointment, the new world number five remains determined to break his duck in 2022.

“I got five sets in this time instead of three but losing these finals is doing my head in now,” said Smith. 

“Tonight will be difficult but I’ll be back on the practice board soon, getting ready for the next one.

“The bullseye shots for big finishes wouldn’t go in, that’s darts I guess.”

Smith hit 24 180s in the match to take his tournament total up to a staggering 83, smashing the previous record of 71 set by Gary Anderson at the 2016/17 tournament.

Two of those 180s came in the opening leg, though it proved to be a nervous start from both players with 23 missed double attempts between the pair in leg two.

Wright took both the opening two sets 3-1, before Smith established himself in the contest by winning the next two sets to level.

Wright regained the lead by winning the set five decider, before Smith won six of the next seven legs to lead for the first time at 4-3.

After Wright levelled once again, Smith regained the advantage by winning the ninth set and looked on course for the title as he led 2-0 in the tenth.

However, Wright came back to win the set with a tide-turning 84 finish before whitewashing Smith in the 11th set to go back in front.

The world number two continued his sprint to the finish line, with Smith powerless to stop Wright winning the 12th and final set 3-1 to seal victory.

2021/22 William Hill World Darts Championship
Monday January 3 (2000 GMT)
Final
Peter Wright 7-5 Michael Smith (3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 0-3, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-1)

Heinrich Malan Ireland Men’s Head Coach

South African-born coach Heinrich Malan has been appointed the successor to Graham Ford as Head Coach for Ireland Men and will take up the role in March 2022 (subject to work permit approval) on an initial three-year contract.

 

Malan, 40, a right-handed middle-order batter and medium-fast bowler, played first-class cricket in South Africa between 2005 and 2009, representing Combined Eastern-Northerns XI and Northern Cricket Union – captaining the latter during the 2006-07 season. He played in teams that featured then-developing international cricketers Neil Wagner and Roloef van der Merwe, as well as future South African international and former CIYMS overseas professional Rassie van der Dussen.

 

Since finishing his first-class playing career, Malan has gained more than 11 years first-class coaching experience in South Africa and New Zealand. He holds a Level 3 Coaching Certificate from Cricket South Africa, and amongst his more recent roles have seen him take on Assistant Coach and Fielding Lead for the New Zealand Men’s cricket team and Head Coach of New Zealand A. He has also held the batting coach role for the Black Caps.

 

Domestically in New Zealand, Malan is the current Head of Male Performance and Head Coach of the Auckland Aces (since 2019), after a six-year stint as Head Coach and Program Director at Central District Stags. Prior to this, he was Head Coach of Eastern Cricket Union in South Africa from 2011-2013.

 

Under Malan’s leadership, his squads have collected numerous titles, including:

 

  • 2019-20: Auckland Aces – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)
  • 2018-19: Central District Stags – Champions, T20 Competition (Super Smash)
  • 2018-19: Central District Stags – Cham  pions, 1st Class 4-Day Competition (Plunket Shield)
  • 2017-18: Central District Stags – Champions, 1st Class 4-Day Competition (Plunket Shield)
  • 2015-16: Central District Stags – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)
  • 2014-15: Central District Stags – Champions, Provincial 1 Day competition (Ford Trophy)

 

 

Speaking from Auckland, Heinrich Malan said:

 

“It’s very humbling and a huge honour to be appointed Head Coach of the Ireland Men’s team. We have an exciting squad that has demonstrated that they have the ability to compete with the best players around the world. It is an exciting challenge and something that we, as a family, are really looking forward to.”

 

“A lot of credit has to go to Graham Ford, who has done a stellar job over the last four years. We have some serious building blocks in place which I believe we can build on going forward.”

 

“My coaching philosophy has certainly evolved over time and I am very keen to get to know this group of players and staff to collaboratively shape our environment through the way we want to operate on a daily basis. The ‘wheel’ in Irish cricket is turning nicely for the stage it is at, but this point in time is a great opportunity to review what – and how – we are operating to not only grow the wheel, but make that wheel turn quicker.”

 

“While I came up through the South African system, the opportunity to move to New Zealand in 2013 really enhanced my coaching experiences and created opportunities to progress my coaching career. Hopefully, I can share these experiences and help our players improve and compete consistently across formats. And that is the key – to create greater consistency of performance over the long term.”

 

 

Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said:

 

“We are delighted to have secured Heinrich as men’s Head Coach and look forward to supporting him in taking the international men’s side forward during what will be an extremely busy period for the squad.

 

“Heinrich has worked in world-class environments at international and domestic levels, and has forged a reputation as an innovative coach with an interest and willingness to do things differently – taking a more holistic view of the game. He is an advocate for sports science, and an intense interest in developing players – particularly in preparing them for the international stage. He has demonstrated a passion for coaching that delves into the feeder systems which lead to sustainable and successful programmes, which is perfectly aligned with what we have been establishing piece-by-piece over recent years. Heinrich is additionally keen to help develop coaches within our Performance system in order to help grow a pathway for Irish coaches to reach senior levels.

 

“Despite coming from outside the Irish system, Heinrich clearly articulated an understanding of the Irish cricket identity, and is determined to succeed in bonding the senior squad around these ideals, then flow those ideals down the pathway system. He fully understands the development stage we are at as a new Full Member, and is clear on the goals of the organisation – but is committed to working hard on building a skilled and confident squad that is competitive with the world’s leading sides.

 

“We know that a key focus for us in the short-term is white-ball cricket, and it is the insights, experience and success that Heinrich has garnered in the shorter formats that we believe will benefit our squad greatly.

 

“We look forward to Heinrich starting in March, with his first task being to prepare the squad for the Zimbabwe tour.”

 

 

A full-time coaching support team will be put in place over coming months.

 

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SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

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