Zurich Joins Forces With Toby Radford, Internationally Renowned Batting Coach, To Run A Cricket Masterclass Series For Young Batsmen

This summer, Zurich International Life Limited in the Middle East (Zurich) is hosting a series of webinars to bring young batsmen closer to their dream of a professional cricketing career. Zurich has teamed up with Toby Radford, a world-class batting coach who trained the West Indies team to victory in the World T20 Champions in Sri Lanka in 2012 and again last year against the English Cricket Team in the test series held in the Carribean. Mohsin Arif, a leading UAE cricket coach from the British Cricket Academy will also join the webinar,  bringing his international and local expertise to the session.

These hour long batting masterclasses give youngsters a unique insight into what makes a batsman successful and smaller sessions of up to 25 participants means that each aspiring  batsman gets more individual attention and focus. Looking at the four fundamentals of batting and the five S’s: step, stabilise, swing, shoulders, straight, Toby lays down the groundwork from an insider‘s perspective. He undertakes a comparative study in the methods used by successful international batsmen and stresses the importance of individual styles and differences.

Junior cricketing enthusiasts are then provided with a once in a lifetime opportunity to ask Toby a question. From tips on individual styles and specific guidance on techniques, to his thoughts on international cricketers and their teams – nothing is off limits in the interactive Q&A session. The masterclass is rounded off with a quiz and the winning participant is rewarded with a brand new professional grade bat to provide a special edge in their cricketing journey.

This initiative is one in a number of Zurich’s sports related programs for young talent in the UAE.

“We pleased to sponsor initiatives such as the batting masterclass with Toby Radford as part of our commitment to support budding local cricketing talent. We have been involved in the development of sports at a grass-roots level with our cricket bowling workshops and the Junior Luckiest Ball on Earth for young golfers,” says Walter Jopp, CEO of Zurich in the Middle East. “Sports sponsorships and mentorship programs for young talents empowers them to attain their goals at the highest standards of excellence. It’s truly a privilege to play a part in readying the creators of the future.”

The masterclasses co-hosted with Toby Radford will be held throughout July and aspiring young batsmen will have the opportunity to attend by participating in a social media competition on the Zurich’s local Facebook page.