Otago Cricket today announced Mohit Rao as the new assistant coach of the Otago Volts.
Rao moved to New Zealand from India eight years ago and has held a job at Otago Cricket since 2007. Rao has been the club coach at University Grange for four years and took them to the National Club finals last season. Mohit has experience as coach of the Otago Under 17 and Dunedin senior side that won the 2008 District Series, as well as time as assistant coach of both the Otago Under 19 and Otago A sides. Mohit is a highly qualified coach who has just completed his NZC Level 3 coaching certificate.
Otago Cricket CEO Ross Dykes said “Mohit's credentials are excellent as he has the technical qualifications and has already worked closely with both Mike Hesson and the players likely to make up our squad for the coming season. His enthusiasm for the game and his personal skills make him an ideal foil for Mike Hesson.
We received a very a healthy number of applicants, all with good credentials to fill an assistant coach role. While the thought of identifying a replacement for Mike Hesson was in our minds, we elected to go with the best applicant to fill the assistant role in the up-coming season. To that end, the job is a fixed term contract from September 2010 to April 2011 and the position of Head Coach for 2011 onward will be advertised at the end of the current season.
Mohit is currently employed by Otago Cricket as a Community Cricket Co-ordinator in Dunedin and we will look to find a replacement for this role while Mohit is engaged with the Volts.
Otago Volts coach Mike Hesson added “I am delighted with the appointment of Mohit Rao as assistant coach of the Otago Volts for the upcoming season. Mohit offers technical qualities as an assistant coach combined with an excellent work ethic and is well respected within the squad. The addition of an assistant coach will greatly enhance the service we will be able to provide to players during the season. With so many matches being held outside Dunedin due to the redevelopment of the University Oval the extra hands on resource of Mohit will be invaluable.
“I am excited by the opportunity to work with Mike and the players during the upcoming season. Cricket is a real passion of mine and I look forward to contributing to the Otago Volts.” Said Rao
