The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
HE has nurtured the talents of Tawanda Muyeye, Dion Myers, Luke Jongwe, Kundai Matigimu and right now he is working with a star called Emmanuel Bawa. But Reginald Mutare is a man you would pass in the streets, he is no celebrity, he is respected by a “few” in the cricket circles.
Reggie or coach Reggie is unfazed, he is a hype man, he is a believer, he is a top coach. Scrolling on his Facebook page, most of the posts are cricket updates, family and friends’ appreciation posts.
Four years ago, Mutare posted a picture of himself and a young Dion Myers with a caption that read: “Things are coming to pass. Dion Myers the next big thing for Cricket in Zimbabwe. Well batted today big guy, 45 runs against the West Indies U19.”
Myers is now playing for the senior men’s cricket team.
“It’s a good feeling seeing Dion excelling and reaching greater heights,” said the 37-year-old following Myers’ international breakthrough across all formats against Bangladesh recently.
“It makes me feel happy and boosts my confidence knowing that my coaching skills are empowering and had a positive impact towards his life. When you are coaching you are simply doing your best to make each individual the best player,” said Mutare.
Mutare conducts one-on-one training not only with Myers, but with any willing player. It is all about scheduling.
He hails from Glen View, a high-density suburb that is producing top coaches such as Rwanda women’s team head coach Leonard Nhamburo, Zimbabwe Cricket women’s team bowling coach Trevor Garwe among other upcoming coaches who also include Brighton Mhembere.
From Glen View where he played for Glenshire before Mashonaland where he got one List A cap in 2006, Mutare ventured into coaching. He is currently at St George’s College, a gig he got coming from Churchill where he coached players such as Victor Nyauchi, Brian Mudzinganyama and Tinashe Kamunhukanwe.
“The list is endless,” Mutare says.
He has a special relationship with Luke Jongwe.
“It is no longer just a coach and player relationship, but rather the bond became strong brother to brother or father to son relationship. When Jongwe was down if not out in the doldrums Mutare stuck his boy.
“I never stopped believing in Luke because I knew my mentorship and coaching was not in vain. I knew he was going to rectify his mistakes since I did not only instruct cricket skills but rather I taught him life time lessons that he could utilise throughout his all life.
“I knew cricket is a sport that brings with it many psychological challenges and demands that players must deal with to be successful so I knew whatever he went through was a curve, a hiccup that would pass. I still believed he could fly high. Jongwe is back and shining.
What got Mutare into coaching?
Cricket is my life; I feel I was born to do this thing. Firstly, my endeavour was to change people’s lives through this game.
“Secondly I felt this game wasn’t appreciated in my society because some thought it’s only a game of the elite. Somehow I wanted to prove them wrong and reveal that “nothing is impossible to the man who can, who will and then does; this is the only law of success” My coaching is a gift from God.”
Covid-19 has stopped play, but not for Mutare.
“Covid brought about some upheavals, everything has been a bit shaky.
“However, we decide whether to make ourselves learned or ignorant.
“I had to diversify and venture into farming, I’m doing broiler farming but on a small scale whilst I wait for things to normalize.
“I’m also doing one on one sessions with a few players including Bawa at his house in Westgate.”
So who are some of the young players to look forward to in the future. Surely when coach Reggie speaks you listen and take notice?
“Emmanuel Bawa, Bennet brothers, Zvaita, Tanaka Chesa, Mwale just to name a few’’.
