After spending a decade as a player on South African and the world’s domestic and club cricket circuits, Brady Barends will now move into the sphere of cricket coaching.
The former North West Dragons captain and bowling all-rounder has set his sights on developing the youth and giving back all his experience to up-and-coming cricketing talent in the province.
Barends has boat-loads of experience, having played in 109 first-class, 70 list A and 39 T20 matches. Barends started as a youngster at the Dolphins Academy in Durban, before heading a bit west to Pietermaritzburg with KZN Inland.

He then went even further west to the North West Dragons, where he built a reputation as a leader and astute tactician on the field.

Barends will coach the North West Academy and NW u.19 squads and assist NWU Cricket.
“I’ve always had a passion for coaching and helping players develop their skills while making a difference in their lives. This game has given me so much and made me the person I am today, so it’s only right that I repay it by offering my services,” enthused Barends.

Cricket mentorship is something he experienced as a player and mentions that guys like Doug Watson, Graham Ford, Monty Jacobs, Jimmy Kgamadi and Alan Norton all played their part in shaping him.

“For me, the important aspect is the relationship with the player. The player must feel comfortable to discuss anything and every-thing. I want to develop and grow as a coach, on and off the field. This is a new journey for me, so I’m just going to suck up all the knowledge I receive and learn from it,”  added Barends who is currently busy with the CSA level 3 course.

If there is one thing that Barends will instil into his players, it would be following the apt and true golden nugget:
“Be the first one in and last one out. There is no replacement for hard work.”