Andy Tennant, Cricket Scotland’s newly-designated head of cricket, has become the first coach in Scotland to acquire a Level 4 coaching qualification, after a course which lasted over two years.

“The course lasted 27 months,” Tennant said. “It consisted of 12 modules varying from three to five days in length. There were five assignments and a final assessment. The portfolio of supporting evidence about my coaching practice that I submitted for my final assessment was 17,000 words long!”

Tennant’s ‘cohort’ of colleagues who were also seeking a Level 4 qualification at the same time included candidates from the professional game in England and several well-known faces, including Chris Adams, the Sussex captain, together with Ian Salisbury and Graeme Fowler.

“I am delighted to have completed what has been an extremely long but rewarding journey,” Tennant said. “The ECB elite coaching programme is undoubtedly at the cutting edge of coaching and I am excited about using the knowledge and skills I have gained on the course to help Scottish cricket and our elite young cricketers to become even more competitive on the world stage.”

Gordon Lord, the Elite Coach Development Manager for the ECB, added: "We are delighted that Andy Tennant has achieved the Level 4 Award. He joins an elite group of 62 coaches worldwide who hold this qualification.

“Andy's outstanding communication and leadership skills, his ability to integrate into his coaching process a deep understanding of the technical, tactical, physical, mental and lifestyle demands of the elite game, and his ability to learn, will ensure that he remains at the forefont of the coaching profession."

Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, also paid tribute to Tennant’s tenacity over the two-year course of training: “Cricket Scotland is investing a significant resource in supporting our best coaches. Andy’s success will hopefully be the forerunner to the next group of coaches achieving this professional qualification.”