Stating that "more than 90 percent" of last week's participants in the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) coaching clinic passed their assessments, Bermuda's national cricket coach Mark Harper is optimistic such programmes will benefit local clubs.

"The guys who have gone through this course are obviously now better equipped to coach. They have been well schooled in how they should convey information and the steps they should use to be effective coaches.

"Hopefully, they will go back into their clubs and enhance the players they work with, especially the young players - making sure their techniques are correct from a young age so they can grow up with the right habits," said Harper, following the four-day session that concluded on Sunday.

Twelve coaches attended the course run by the WICB's Chief Cricket Development Officer Michael Seepersaud and former West Indies wicketkeeper Jeffrey Dujon. Those who passed received a WICB coaching certificate and now have the option of completing a coach's kit to get a three-year accreditation from the WICB.

"The coach's kit is like a homework pack with case studies and certain things they have to do in the field. I would have to witness those sessions to ensure they are being done in the way it's advised they be done," explained Harper.

Seepersaud cautioned that while there was a pass/fail grade in the course, the assessment was more about determining each individual's skill level and where each coach needs help.

"The assessment is not about people passing and failing but about seeing where people need to strengthen their coaching skills. It's a developmental approach so those who did not do well are not written off. Additional work will be done with them because we want to enhance the ability of everyone who is interested in being a coach," said the WICB official.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC), he noted, could examine participants' performances in this programme and "identify areas that require additional work" plus hold regular workshops to refresh and update coaches' knowledge.

Seepersaud disclosed that some new approaches, including the use of a lot of video technology, were introduced in the course. For example, footage of great West Indian players was used as a teaching tool.

"One example we used was to show how particular grips make you strong on the off-side or strong on the leg-side and we let the tapes demonstrate," said Seepersaud.

Discussions also centred on the detection and correction of errors, biomechanics and presentation skills. Regarding the latter, the WICB representative noted it was integral coaches blend their knowledge with a captivating teaching approach which would attract young players.