The Durban North Coaching Academy Information

The Durban North Coaching Academy was formed in 1994 by our late father and husband, Paddy Clift. He was a former professional cricketer who played for 17 years for Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Leicestershire County Cricket Club as well as being a former Natal (now Nashua Dolphins) captain. He had an idea of mentoring and coaching kids at a young age in order to prepare them for their entry into school and beyond. There was a niche in the sports market and he decided to form a modern and current sports academy with the aim of putting something back into the community that had looked after him for so many years. When he unfortunately passed away in 1996, Penel Clift (wife and mum) took on the responsibility of running the academy so that Paddy’s dreams and aims could be fulfilled. It grew from humble beginnings and gradually has become a market leader within the broader Durban community. The Durban North Coaching Academy was the first professional sports academy of its kind in the Durban North area, thus pioneering the way sport is coached in the modern era. Our philosophy of “every child is special” has reverberated throughout the years. Children are encouraged to participate, find a love for sport and have fun while being coached with their friends.