Academy to be built in honour of Woolmer

Trust fund created in South Africa

Academy to be built in honour of Woolmer

Cricinfo staff

March 23, 2007

A trust has been created to fund a number of projects in South Africa, including a training academy, in memory of Bob Woolmer, the former Pakistan coach who was murdered last Sunday.

The money raised will fund the creation of a Bob Woolmer Cricket Academy outside Nelspruit in the eastern Mpumalanga province, and to ensure his book on the art and science of cricket gets published.

"The Academy is for the benefit of world cricket not just South African cricket and will be run as a not-for-profit organisation," read a statement. "One of the objectives is that children from underprivileged communities in South Africa will benefit in both a sporting and academic way."

The trust would also aim to provide financial security for his widow Gill, and sons Dale and Russell. Jonty Rhodes, the former South African batsman, was named as one of the trustees.

"Bob Woolmer was one of world cricket's most recognisable characters and servants of the game. Being one of the top coaches in world cricket did not stop him from sharing his skills and philosophies with the emerging cricketers of the world."

The investigation into Woolmer's murder continues.