About – The Rajasthan Royals Academy

The academy was founded in 2005 by former representative cricketer Sid Lahiri. After more than 10 years of developing young cricketers as The Star Cricket Academy, we are now the Rajasthan Royals Academy based at Reed’s School in Cobham. We have an emphasis on developing the individual skill level of each player, using top quality coaching, equipment and facilities.

Meet the team….

The academy is supported by 5 full time coaching staff, and several other coaching and support staff:

Sid Lahiri

Academy Director

Sid is the head coach and founder of the academy and is an ECB Level 3 coach. Sid played representative cricket in India as an opening batsman for 11 years before moving to the UK. During his playing career he was fortunate enough to play alongside many distinguished cricketers. Sid is vastly experienced as a coach.He has helped many of his students play and excel in various County age group squads in Surrey and the surrounding Counties. Many of his students are now playing professional cricket at various counties. Sid is also one of the lead coaches at the The Royals Institute of Sport, Nagpur, India.

Sid has also previously been heavily involved with the Surrey County age group programme, taking various squads over the last 7 years.

Tom Tremewan

Tom was born in South Africa, and started developing his cricket with the Limpopo Province Cricket Academy in Polokwane. He emigrated to the UK in 2003, at the age of 13, where he played colts cricket locally before joining Guildford Cricket Club in 2008. Tom has played 1st XI cricket in the Surrey Premier league, enjoying the role of opening the batting.

Tom has a UKCC Level 2 Coaching Certificate, and is working towards his level 3. He has worked for Surrey County Cricket Club and on West District courses between 2008-2011.

A member of the team at the academy for the last 9 years, Tom is our head coaches and works with students of all standards, from club level to county age group standard. Tom is passionate about his coaching and works hard with his students to achieve the best outcomes.

Derek Agge

Derek holds an ECB UKCC Level 2 qualification and is a very experienced player and coach. He has played senior cricket at Normandy CC, Godalming CC, Farncombe CC and Brook CC.

More recently, Derek has focused on coaching and player development, including coaching the England Deaf Cricket Team. Derek was lead coach at Godalming Cricket Club for 12 years, coaching both Colts and Senior teams. More recently, Derek has been coaching at Brook CC.

Derek is a left-arm spinner and powerful middle-order batsman.

Matthew Cussans

Matt is an experienced UKCC Level 2 coach. He was head coach of the Surrey CC U9s for 14 years, coaching the county squads and district teams, and was Head of Cricket at St George’s Junior School for 3 years.

Matt is an opening batsman who has played cricket in the Surrey Premier League for Guildford CC and Weybridge CC, enjoying cricket tours to Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados during that time.

John Grant

John is an ECB Level 2 (Core) Coach, currently working with the Surrey Cricket Foundation as well as the Academy. John’s coaching methods have a technical focus, while keeping things simple to ensure that individuals have fun, as well as learn and improve with each session. As well as coaching a variety of age groups both junior and senior, John has also played senior cricket for British Airways CC and more recently Shepperton CC, currently as a top order batsman. John has a BA in Physical and Sport Education from St Mary’s University and is a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Braydon Dixon

Braydon is a CSA Level 3 coach who has been involved in coaching for many years. A passionate coach, he has coached many provincial age groups and teams in South Africa. He has been the National Talent Scout for Cricket South Africa and involved with the National player pipeline.

A large percentage of Braydon’s trained players are performing at domestic and international level. He always strives to work hard in his sessions, lead from the front, and set a good example for all teams and players. He believes in combining correct cricket techniques with lessons and guidance in awareness, attitude, mental toughness, general sporting ethics and application. Braydon wants players to always learn but most importantly enjoy and love what they are doing. The owner of a very successful academy in South Africa he looks forward to working with future stars here and making a difference at the academy.

Sohail Ahmed

Sohail has represented Pakistan A, Lahore and Esher CC. He has played over 100 First Class and List A matches. While playing at Esher he was the highest scoring batsmen in the Surrey Championship.C

Sohail has played / coached cricket at Esher CC for the last 14 years and at RRA since 2023. He has great knowledge of the game and is dedicated to assisting young cricketers improve their cricket.

Shashi Malik

Shashi is an ECB Level 2 coach. She has played for India ‘A’ and in 117 first class matches in India. Shashi is an all-rounder, left arm spinner and middle order bat. She currently plays for East Molesey CC and is the captain of the women’s team.

Shashi has completed her Masters in Strength and Conditioning from St Mary University, Twickenham, she did this in order to understand a player’s fitness to help them achieve their maximum performance in cricket. Shashi has worked with the BCCI as S&C coach on a number of occasions.

Shashi has recently worked as a cricket coach with Kingston Grammar School and Latymer Upper School. She has also worked as a coach for a number of cricket clubs including Ealing CC, Teddington CC and East Molesey CC.

Jacobi Robinson

With a distinguished playing career representing Bermuda across First‑Class cricket, One Day Internationals, T20 Internationals, and List A matches, Jacobi brings firsthand international experience to my coaching. His development as a player was shaped by advanced training at the International Cricket Academy in South Africa, where he refined the technical, tactical, and mental dimensions of his game. This high‑performance foundation has been instrumental in shaping Jacobi’s coaching philosophy and approach.

Jacobi holds a Level 3 Coaching Certificate and is currently pursuing Elite Cricket Coaching Certification. His coaching skill set spans all core disciplines—batting, bowling, fielding, and wicket‑keeping—allowing him to support players comprehensively, and to design tailored development plans that meet individual needs. Jacobi is committed to helping athletes unlock their potential, build strong fundamentals, and develop the mindset required to perform confidently and consistently at higher levels of the game.

Ahmed Khan

Ahmed is a former Surrey pathway player (U9-U18) and now represents Oxfordshire CCC as a Minor Counties player. He was part of the Oxford UCCE team that won the BUCS Championship in 2024. Ahmed now plays for Banstead Cricket Club in the Surrey Premier League.

Ahmed is an experienced and enthusiastic coach offering both 1:1 and group sessions. Passionate about developing players of all ages from beginners to advanced performers, he has a strong focus on skill development, game awareness and confidence.

Adam Afzal

Adam is an experienced ECB Level 2 coach, having gained valuable experience growing up and playing through the County district programme at Surrey CCC. He also played his school cricket at Reed’s School before playing university cricket at King’s College London, representing the Medical Team (GKTCC) where he went on a valuable tour to Desert Springs, Spain.

Currently, Adam plays senior cricket at Woking and Horsell Cricket Club, where he also coaches the junior age groups. He is passionate about the development of young cricketers and enjoys sharing his love for the game through coaching. In addition, he is studying Postgraduate Law at university.

Adam is a top order attacking batsman.

Mohsin Jafri

Mohsin was born in the UAE and raised in the UK, where he has played for and coached at various clubs, such as Spencer, Stanmore, and Eastcote Cricket Club, among others. He has played through the junior set-up at Surrey and represented the UAE across the age groups in three Asia Cup tournaments.

With over 15 years of coaching experience, Mohsin holds a UKCC Level 2 Coaching Certificate and has worked across numerous clubs in Surrey and Middlesex. His bespoke, one-on-one sessions have helped develop a strong cohort of junior cricketers who have progressed to district, borough and county squads.

In addition to coaching, Mohsin provides consultancy to various clubs, helping them professionalize their offerings to members by training coaches and volunteers, ensuring that they deliver the best possible experience for players at all levels.

Angus McMahon

Angus is an ECB Level 2, currently working as a Hampshire CCC pathway coach. His particular interest is fast bowling.

Ella Clinton

Coaching Staff

Ella is an ECB Level 2 coach, she has been working at the Academy since 2020. She is a top order batsman and swing bowler who enjoys playing both men’s and women’s cricket.

Ella is currently President of Durham University Women’s Cricket Club and oversees the coaching of all the University’s women’s team.

Ella works at the Academy alongside her studies, she is a regular member of the team on term-time groups and holiday camps.

Alex Clinton