Paddy Upton presented a number of workshops to the Uplands community on Friday and Saturday.

Between 2012 and 2018 Upton was head coach over 12 professional T20 cricket seasons, for five different teams across three tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League.

His accomplishments as head coach include leading the Rajasthan Royals team from four years near the bottom of the IPL log to IPL semi-finalists and Champions League finalists in his first season (2013), including a record 13 straight home wins.

He joined the Sydney Thunder team after they had lost 21 out of 22 matches in the first three seasons of the Big Bash League, leading them to Big Bash League Champions two seasons later.

He shared his insights on training and the systematic approach in which learning takes place. He engaged with the Uplands pupils on Friday afternoon. This was followed by a discussion about “Winning with Kids” together with their parents.

IN PHOTOS: All of the action between the Bulls and the Pumas
On the following Saturday, he joined the Uplands teaching staff and shared his thoughts on learner-centred education.

Upton drew many comparisons between the work he has done at the various T20 teams across the world and what teachers do every day in their classrooms and sports fields.

He stressed that teachers and coaches should aim to meet learners’ needs and support them in reaching their personal potential first, before looking at results. This proved to be a refreshing message in an environment that demands results at all cost – as seen in the case of the Australian cricket side and Sandpapergate scandal.