Derek Perera

Born in Brampton, Canada, Derek Perera has enjoyed an illustrious cricket career, in Canada and abroad. Derek has played both International and First-Class cricket- a feat very few ‘born’ Canadians can lay claim to! Under the guidance of his father, at the young age of 13, Derek made his debut in the Toronto & District Premier Division for Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club, where he was later awarded a full scholarship.

Derek went on to represent Canada at every level, from Under 19 to the Senior Team, all before he was 19 years old. At the age of 18, he made his senior international debut against Bangladesh in Toronto, and was selected to represent the National Senior team against India in the same year. With the various Canadian teams, as a player, he has toured Denmark, Holland, England and Malaysia.

Derek was also awarded many scholarships, in 1996 by the ICC- where he was selected to undergo coaching and training by the MCC, and represent the ICC U-21 Select Team. Later that year he was awarded a scholarship in conjunction with Queensland Cricket in Australia where he played Grade Cricket and trained under the watchful eye of Bennett King at the Queensland Institute of Sport.

Derek played in the national U-23 competition and first class in Sri Lanka in 1994/95 for Nondescripts Cricket Club. Among his peers were noted players Aravinda DeSilva, Hashan Tillekeratne and Russell Arnold. In addition, he has played in England for 3 seasons as a Professional Player/Coach, gaining invaluable experience. In Devon, England Derek was one of the first players to score 1000 runs in the season- finishing with a top score of 134*.

As a coach, Derek began his coaching career in Australia, as an assistant to Queensland Cricket Development Officer, Trevor Croner, in the MILO 'Have-a-Go' Program. From there, he thrived in his role as a player/coach for various clubs in the UK. 

Derek has excelled in coaching, utilizing his knowledge gained through his degree in Kinesiology and Health Science (Sport Science). In 2004, he was appointed the Canada U-23 Player/Coach and coached the Ontario 1st XI in the National U-19 Championships. Moving on, Derek was selected as Canada U-15 and U-19 Head Coach for the ICC Americas Championship in 2004 and 2005.

His expertise was then recognized by the Canadian senior squad who appointed Derek as the National Senior team Technical Analyst in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Ireland 2005 (in which Canada earned World Cup qualification). In 2006, Derek was the first Canadian to utilize Match Analysis Software in the ICC series against Kenya and Bermuda.

In 2006, Derek travelled to Chennai (Madras) India, where he was trained by the current Team Analyst for the Indian team in the latest Match Analysis software. As well Derek was invited to attend sessions at MRF with the legendary Dennis Lillee, current Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley and former Indian pacers Venkatesh Prasad and Javagal Srinath for the England fast bowlers training camp.

Most recently Derek has travelled as the Coach for the CIMA Toronto Mayors XI tour to Surrey UK in 2008 and 2009.

Derek Perera is a qualified WICB Level 2 Coach, and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Kinesiology and Sport Science.

Click here for a chronological detail of Derek's Playing and Coaching Career.