LENNIE Pascoe terrorised batsmen in the mid 1970s through to the early 1980s, the NSW paceman capturing 64 Test wickets at 26.06 and 309 first class wickets at 25.60.
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Yesterday he was in Tamworth coaching young players, teaching them a bit of history as well as coaching skills and cricket etiquette.
Turning 66 in a few weeks’ time, Pascoe was in Armidale on Monday and Tamworth yesterday helping run the Shaun Brown Coaching Clinics.
What started 23 years ago as a one-off coaching clinic has developed into annual clinics across the state.
And Pascoe, who turns 66 on February 13, shows no hint of stopping.
In fact, he’s feeling re-invigorated by the enthusiasm of the young players.
“I’ve found the kids have been outstanding, right across the board,” he said yesterday.
“They are much better than they have been in previous years.
“I put that down to the Plan B T20 and the Big Bash League Twenty20.
“The Big Bash T20 has captured their imaginations.
“It’s great for the kids just starting to play and has made them much better behaved as well.”
When he first started with the Shaun Brown clinics he “expected one or maybe two years”.
“Not 23.
“It’s a great clinic the way he has it set up.
“It’s not just another day at school.
“He wants them playing and wants them learning.
“They can have one-on-one coaching or they can do the group coaching.
“It’s there for the kids just starting or the more advanced.
“The clinics are well-balanced and deliver a strong message.
“The kids have to be able to bat, bowl or catch.
“If they can’t, then they become an umpire or scorer.
“And the kids learn off each other too.
“The better kids show the way.”
With group coaches such as young Tom Fitzgerald and Brock Ridgewell leading the way at yesterday’s camp, it allows the camp coach to funnel mentors such as Pascoe, Merv Hughes, Nathan Bracken and John Dyson through the various camps.
“It’s amazing for the kids to have a mentor such as John Dyson,” Pascoe said.
“He was a CHS cricket convener, NSW selector and coached the Windies and Sri Lanka.
“He was also the CEO of the Sydney Thunder.”
It all adds up to an all- encompassing couple of days for the juniors and a pleasure for former Test players such as Pascoe to impart a little history and a lot of skills into the young tearaways.
