As cricket has been an expanding sport worldwide, with several new nations getting a chance to make their run at being a new dominant factor in the sport, a few figures stand far ahead of many others. Seeing the recent rise of Netherlands cricket due to Ryan Campbell and Peter Borren, while countries like Namibia plus Italy have followed in similar footsteps, USA is another recent side that’s found success after years of struggle.
But none of this success, including two straight T20 World Cup appearances and a potential ODI chance, would have been possible without Steven Katwaroo, whose laid a foundation for many of the younger pieces and helped them rise up the rankings over this past decade.
Currently coaching squads like Falcons Jr, which play most of their matches in New Jersey, and teaching his players about key elements of playing in any conditions, he understands how to prepare against the best of the best after being a player for West Indies U-19 prior to pursuing his current role.
Not only is it that he develops many future prospects in team sessions, but Steven has also been vital in the aspect of providing top-class one-on-one sessions, which take players from 0 to 100 in the matter of moments. Having coached up several of the current squad members in this current US system, including Jesse Singh, Prannav Chettipalayam, and more, here is a deep dive into who Steven Katwaroo really is.
A Former West Indies Rising Star Before Taking His Talents To Coaching
Whenever the name Steven Katwaroo comes up, real cricket fans will always remember his massive 197-run partnership with current star spinner Akeal Hoesin during the 2013-14 West Indies regional competition. Coming directly a year after he was part of their Under-19 World Cup squad in Australia, this is someone who has played under the captaincy of legends like Kraigg Brathwaite and was able to score 35 runs against Pakistan’s youth team, while following it up with 25 versus England. With all these moments stacking up together in just a few years, his first-ever official 1st class match came in early 2013 for Trinidad and Tobago versus the Leeward Islands.
Someone who was on their side for over 5 years, Steven amassed over 1,200 runs in 66 innings and was always a crucial wicketkeeper with 82 catches during these games. Having also had his fair share of stumpings, he was known to be quite a threat around the order and hit 8 half-centuries.
Despite not being able to play at the top-most level with the main West Indies team, the biggest moment for Steven Katwaroo came in 2017 after he was selected for the Guyana Amazon Warriors of the Caribbean Premier League. On their squad for the next couple years, it was between 2019 and 2020 when Steve finally decided to pack things up to give his hand at coaching.
How Steven Katwarro’s Idea To Coach Changed His Name Forever
Officially leaving Trinidad and fully settling in the USA during 2021, Steve got right to work by building his coaching empire with a channel that he posts on a daily called K.K. High Performance. Having accumulated over 12,000 followers, he has given his full pro tips on various aspects of the game, including power hitting, playing defensively, producing wonderful cover drives, and even how to avoid hitting the wicket.
Posting videos of his players training as well, this is one of the first coaches who gives in-depth analysis online for anyone to view, and has been a major inspiring factor for many former non-cricketers to pursue the sport as well.
One of the best parts was that despite not being a bowler during his plays, he still uploads daily bowling videos for his players or others to continuously practice with, while learning complex aspects of these games in simpler forms. A group who can read every part of the game and understands players strengths, plus weaknesses, very well, he also started his own individual one-on-one private sessions with well over 300 cricketers going to those.
Knowing that Saiteja Mukkamalla is an example of a player who has come out of his training and scored over 1,000 runs for USA in all formats combined, quality has definitely improved with current under-19 teams compared to ones 3-4 years ago. Knowing that there is still a long line of success ahead, Steven has made sure to train these kids in a very calm manner and seems composed even if someone makes a slight mistake.
The List Of Accomplishments Have Been Amazing For Steve and USA Cricket
Seeing that he’s become one of the most trusted coaches and someone many parents plus players keep looking up to, the amount he has achieved in just 4 years of being here is unbelievable. Getting the opportunity to coach Falcons Jr., he has completely revived a whole side that looked dead in the water, while facing several issues.
During short time, he not only changed the under-15 side of Falcons Jr., which was ranked dead last before he brought them to the semi-finals, but he also took his under-13 side into the final four. Things that once were never believable for this side, Steven Katwaroo’s unquestioned leadership and passion for players to grow are what have brought Falcons Jr. to this point.
For him, it’s not only about winning and being satisfied, but he wants to keep striving for growth and development so the USA can become a cricketing factory. Coming to America with just a Level One coaching certificate, he was originally known as a very foundational head coach. Knowing that he wanted to reach to the top somewhere though, Steve was able to attain three more levels in one year and is known as specialist, which goes along very well with his teaching style.
Now on level four, that was one main reason who got so much access to change things around with the Falcons Jr. organization, while also being a level 2 ICC Certified coach too. The last and most important thing to mention is that Steve has not only influenced male cricketers, but young females like Kriti Dayalu have become major forces because of him, and he’s started to really help the USA Women’s side rise. Closing it out, Steve Katwaroo has been one of the most impactful coaches around the world for the growth of cricket, and playing under him is an opportunity no one will ever regret.
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