Swanepoel named WP Assistant Coach, Rabie to coach Academy, U19s
Dieter Swanepoel has been promoted to the position of Western Province senior provincial assistant coach, while Gurshwin Rabie will take care of the WP Provincial Academy and also serve as provincial U19 boys head coach.
Both appointments have been from 1st October 2018.
Swanepoel was the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras’ strength and conditioning coach from 2011 to 2015 and during that period was part of the South African Emerging side for one tour and the South African ‘A’ side as the strength and conditioning coach on three tours. He has served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Western Province senior provincial team for the past three years and has worked under Salieg Nackerdien and Faiek Davids at senior provincial level.
His formal coaching career of a team took off last year when he coached Montrose Cricket Club (they won the league’s T20 competition).
He played schools cricket for the WP U17 team but was plagued by injuries during his young career. He played club cricket for a few years, finishing his player career at Montrose cricket club.
His most memorable cricket moment came when they (Bergvliet High School first team) beat Bishops on their home ground (He picked up a 3-wicket haul in the game).
Swanepoel has a diploma in sports conditioning as well as a diploma in coaching science, through ETA. He has a CSA level two coaching certificate and is currently in the process of completing his CSA level three coaching certificate this season.
“The highlight of my career was representing the Cape Cobras and working with players who he looked up to as heroes growing up and also representing the SA ‘A’ side in his capacity as strength and conditioning coach,” Swanepoel said.
“My goal in my new role as the Assistant coach is to grow and learn as much as I can, whilst assisting the head coach Paul Adams, and together with the team working hard towards having a successful season and help players develop their games to push for higher honours,” said Swanepoel.
“Dieter has been with the (Western Province) squad for a few years and has unofficially fulfilled the dual role as assistant and strength and conditioning coach,” said Clinton du Preez, cricket services manager of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).
“He has built up quite a bit of experience under the leadership of Faiek Davids and Salieg Nackerdien. He will fit in perfectly with Paul Adams to take the (WP) team to the next level.
“Dieter is a very hardworking individual with much drive and passion to excel. He always wants the best for every player,” Du Preez remarked.
Rabie (35) said he was stunned to learn of his appointment because he thought there were more experienced candidates than he.
He enrolled in a level-three coaching course and completed it in 2016/2017.
A former Western Province, former South Western District and Warriors fast bowler, Rabie said a highlight was when he debuted for WP in January 2008.
He also captured 8-60 for South Western District against North West, a career-best five-wicket haul. In 92 first-class matches, he captured 331 wickets.
His body told him at the end of the 2016/2017 season that it was time to retire from first-class cricket.
His greatest goal is to propel Western Province to the top as the finest U19 team in the country.
He also wants to teach the boys important life skills and the pathway to greater growth, while warning them against the pitfalls that prevent boys from reaching their highest goals.
“I want to give back to the game and teach the boys a greater love for cricket,” Rabie said.
His next assignment is to prepare the boys for the Western Province/Boland weekend on 23rd and 24thNovember, when the Western Cape derbies take place.
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