Pretoria – Proteas conditioning and fitness trainer Rob Walter will be the new coach of the Titans franchise, Easterns Titans chairman Vincent Sinovich announced in Centurion on Tuesday.
Walter would take over from Matthew Maynard, who held the post for the past two seasons, but opted not to renew his contract for personal reasons.
Walter was a local boy, schooled in Pretoria, and spent many years as conditioning coach of the Titans before his national appointment, so he would be at home in Centurion, Sinovich said.
He was also assistant coach of Indian Premier League team the Pune Warriors.
The 37-year-old had worked with some of the top cricket coaches in the world and despite never having coached a side, Eastern Titans CEO Jacques Faul said they were confident they had made the right choice.
“We feel he is the right man to take us forward and he has the right experience to get us to the level we want to be,” Faul said.
“He's been in the best change rooms around the world and has worked closely with Gary Kirsten. He has also had a lot of experience in India which is very important to us.”
In view of Walter's lack of technical coaching at the highest level, Faul said he was confident Walter had picked up enough skills over the years, but it had been a consideration during the selection process.
“It's something we had to consider Ä that he hasn't coached at this level Ä but you take a gamble with any coach. The fact that he's worked with credible, experienced coaches for such a long time, and has done well in coaching T20 cricket outweighs the fact,” Faul said.
“The Lions gambled with Geoff Toyana and the Cobras with Paul Adams and look how well they've done.”
Faul did not rule out the possibility of retiring Proteas coach Kirsten doing some technical consulting with the Titans, as well as specialist bowling coaches like Allan Donald and possibly a spin bowler.
Walter was currently in Amsterdam with the national squad preparing them for the Champions League Trophy which starts in Cardiff, Wales, in early June.
Titans captain Henry Davids said he believed change was good and Walter would bring a wealth of experience in terms of player management.
“I worked with Rob at the national academy and over the last few months with the national T20 squad,” Davids said.
“He is a strong person and he brings an energy to those around him which is good for all of us.”
Walter would begin his two-year contract on July 1. – Sapa