The wait is over, DHSFPCC are delighted to announce that Steve Knox, former international players and coach, has agreed to lead the DHSFPCC Junior Winter Coaching Programme.

Our coaches sat down with Steve a few times to discuss this opportunity and talk all things cricket, resulting in us gathering a lot of important and enlightening information which we are happy to share so you can get to know our new coach better.

Steve has been capped 20 times as a player by Scotland and during his career played 9 seasons as an overseas professional and coach in New Zealand. Steve first made the move to Scotland in 1997 with Stoneywood-Dyce as a development officer, professional and coach before also spending time at Penicuik, Grange and Heriot's. Prior to Scotland duties, Steve also played Minor Counties cricket for Cumberland CCC between 1994 and 2009.

Steve set up his successful coaching business in 2009 and since then has worked for a number of different clubs, universities, regions and national cricket associations. Most recently Steve had a very successful nine year association with the Germany Men's team, and also coached the Scotland Women's team between 2016 and 2020.

In response to the agreement, Steve stated:

"I am delighted to accept the opportunity to coach the next generation of DHSFPCC juniors in preparation for season 2024. DHSFPCC is a club which has long held a strong belief in youth development and promoting juniors into senior teams, and I therefore believe our ethos and values are aligned. After a very successful season in 2023, with the first team gaining promotion back into the SPCU NEC, I hope I can help the club continue the positive upward trend."

We asked Steve some questions about his playing and coaching career:

Q) What got you into cricket at a young age and made you decide to devote your career to playing and coaching cricket?

A) We lived across the road from a cricket club in Barrow-in-Furness where my dad played. I basically spent my formative years there. Career wise, a season spent playing for Maroochydore CC on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia after graduating university made my mind up that I wanted to play and coach.

Q) What has been the most enjoyable country you have played cricket in and what have you taken from these experiences?

A) I spent nine seasons in New Zealand and loved everything about the country. From a cricket point of view I was playing with and against current New Zealand internationals and state players on a regular basis and that was a really enjoyable challenge. In terms of what I took away from those experiences it was the value of hard work and trusting that this would bring rewards which it undoubtedly has. In addition, I undoubtedly learned to fend for myself and learned the value of pro-activity if you want to make things happen in life.

Q) What has been the proudest moment of your cricketing career so far, both as a player and a coach?

A) The proudest moment of my playing career was making my debut for Scotland in 2003. Proudest moment of my coaching career was helping Germany reach the Global ICC T20 Qualifier in Oman last year. Something that had never been achieved by the team before.

Q) What life lessons do you believe cricket can teach children that can be applied off the pitch?

A) i) Be humble when you succeed because failure is just round the corner and when it comes you have to learn from it and improve ii) The value of good communication iii) The team must come first iv) The value of setting a good example.

Q) What has been the funniest or most bizarre moment you have witnessed in a cricket match?

A) When I toured South Africa with Stoneywood-Dyce in 1998 we played our final game of the tour against Cape Town CC. At the start of the game unbeknown to me and the bowler's end umpire the wicket keeper had a ball already in his hand. The opening batter was in on the joke.

The opening bowler steamed in and pretended to bowl the ball. The batter made as if he'd nicked the ball and the keeper threw up the ball he already had in celebration. The umpire looked baffled and then gave the batter out at which point the whole of the fielding team erupted in laughter.

We hope you enjoyed the teasers in the lead up to this announcement. We truly are delighted to have an exceptional coach like Steve leading our junior winter coaching programme. The programme is open to children aged 8+ and both existing and new members are welcome. If you are interested in attending please just turn up to the appropriate session as detailed below, or email Kevin Ancell on kancell10@gmail.com

As a reminder, the programme starts on Tues 24 October at Eastern Primary School, Broughty Ferry.

19:00 - 20:00 - U12 softball and hardball
20:00 - 21:00 - U14 & U16 hardball