Meet Gilbert Enoka: The mental skills coach hired by England for the India Test series
Gilbert Enoka is a renowned mental skills coach from New Zealand, famous for implementing a 'no d***heads policy.' His extensive background includes working with the New Zealand national netball team (1994-97), the New Zealand cricket team (1998-2004), and most notably, the All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team) from 2000, where he served as a mental skills coach for 15 years and then as their leadership manager for seven. He also had a stint with Premier League club Chelsea in 2023.
Why has England's cricket team brought in Enoka?
England's cricket team has hired Gilbert Enoka amidst a high-drama series against India and in preparation for the crucial Ashes against Australia. The decision was influenced by the growing number of New Zealanders in the England setup, including head coach Brendon McCullum, with whom Enoka previously worked in New Zealand cricket. His role is to 'toughen up' the squad during this pivotal phase.
What is Enoka's 'no d***heads policy'?
Enoka's 'no d***heads policy' is a philosophy designed to eliminate self-serving and counterproductive behaviours within a team. According to Enoka, a 'd***head' is someone who makes everything about themselves, puts themselves ahead of the team, believes they are entitled to special treatment, operates deceitfully, or seeks unnecessary attention for their work. The policy emphasises that if such individuals cannot change their behaviour, they should be removed from the team, regardless of their talent.
What was Enoka's impact on the All Blacks rugby team?
Gilbert Enoka's tenure with the All Blacks, where he served for 22 years, coincided with a 'golden era' for the team. During this period, the All Blacks achieved significant success, including back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, and maintained a prolonged reign as the world's top-ranked side.
When did Gilbert Enoka join the England cricket setup and for how long?
Gilbert Enoka began working behind the scenes with Brendon McCullum's team since a pre-season camp in London in May, ahead of the Zimbabwe Test. He formally joined the squad during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India, addressing players before training at Old Trafford.
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