about

Our Story

Building Better Athletes. Creating Stronger Futures.

Grounds and Sports International (GNS) was founded in 2017 by Navin Kaipu, an IT professional whose lifelong passion for cricket and sports shaped the vision of the organisation. Navin moved to New Zealand, a beautiful country that further strengthened his connection with sports. Having played competitive cricket at school and university level, he strongly believes that for Indians, cricket is not just a game – it is life, passion, and a way of living. In 2017, Navin connected with legendary New Zealand cricketers Mathew Sinclair (former New Zealand Test, ODI & T20 player) and Llorne Howell (ODI cricketer, High Performance Coach and Coaching Program Developer). Sharing a common vision for grassroots development and high-quality coaching, they came together as a team and founded Grounds and Sports International.

Today, GNS is actively involved in:
Professional sports coaching and training programs
Sports academies and school-based coaching initiatives
Organising tournaments, leagues, and sporting events
Providing world-class ground and facility support
Conducting international sports tours to Australia and New Zealand

Since its inception, Grounds and Sports International has been consistently working across Bangalore and South India, partnering with schools, academies, and institutions to deliver structured coaching programs and holistic sports development. At GNS, we are driven by the belief that sport builds character, discipline, leadership, and global exposure. Our mission is to create opportunities for young athletes to learn, grow, and compete at national and international levels through quality coaching and well-structured programs.

Our Success Story

The success of Grounds and Sports Int. is rooted in a remarkable journey that began in 2017. Former New Zealand cricketers Mathew Sinclair and Llorne Howell, both highly respected for their playing careers and coaching expertise, started conducting specialized summer and annual coaching camps across India.

2017 – The Beginning

The first set of camps took place in Bangalore, known for its strong cricket culture. The response was overwhelming. Players loved their modern training style, personal guidance, and international exposure.

2018–2020 – Expansion to Major Cities

As demand grew, the camps expanded to: Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, And other regional hubs Each camp attracted young players passionate about learning from global-level coaches.

2021–2023 – Growing Reputation

Parents and players trusted the training due to clear improvements in performance, discipline, fitness, and match awareness. Many Sinclair & Howell trainees excelled in school and club cricket, district selections, and inter-academy competitions, earning the camps a reputation for developing technically sound, mentally strong players.

2024 – The Academy Vision

With years of successful camps, the next natural step was to build a year-round sports ecosystem. This led to the birth of Grounds and Sports Int. Academy, a professional training environment for cricket and football.

2025 – Today

The academy now runs across three locations, offering daily and weekend training, camps, tournaments, and player development, evolving from a seasonal program into a full-time, high-quality sports academy.

Our Vision

To become a globally connected sports development platform that bridges grassroots talent in India with international coaching standards, competitive opportunities, and life-shaping experiences.

Our Mission

To create a trusted and professional ecosystem where young sporting talent is identified, nurtured, and developed through structured coaching, international exposure, and strong mentorship — helping athletes unlock their full potential on and off the field.

Our Strengths

Qualified & Experienced Coaches
Structured Skill-Development Programs
Safe Training Environment
State-of-the-Art Grounds
International Exposure with AUS & NZ Tours
Professional Tournament Management

Our Founders

Naveen Kaipu

Founder

A visionary leader dedicated to building a platform for young athletes to succeed on a global stage. My name is Navin Kumar K. N., and I am the founder of Grounds and Sports International. I have extensive experience working as a Cricket Coach and Manager across various schools in Bangalore. I am currently serving as the Operations Head, overseeing development programs, coaching coordination, and sports management activities.

Mathew Sinclair

Co-Founder | Head Coach | Business Partner

A former New Zealand Test, ODI, and T20 player, Mathew is a high-performance coach with a legendary past. He is one of the few cricketers in history to score a double-hundred on his Test debut, a remarkable 214 against the West Indies in 1999.

Llorne Howell

Co-Founder | Senior Coach

A former New Zealand international cricketer and ICC Level 3 coach. Llorne has a history of identifying and guiding talented youth, having been a co-coach for a Bay of Plenty side that included a teenage Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. He specializes in organizing international cricket sports tours and managing the exclusive Cricket Exchange Program between India and New Zealand.

Edward D'Souza

Business Partner | Financial Investor, Grounds and Sports Int.

Dr. Anand Edward D’Souza joined Grounds and Sports International after being part of our school coaching program as a parent. His passion for cricket and youth development, combined with decades of experience in HR, legal, finance, and operations, makes him a vital member of our leadership team. A successful entrepreneur and corporate advisor, he also serves as a PoSH trainer, soft-skills facilitator, and labour law consultant. His dedication and leadership play an important role in driving our vision and growth.

More than an academy, we turn potential into champions.

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Our Management Team

C. M. Gautam

National Cricket Camp Director -INDIA

Former Karnataka state player in the Ranji Trophy and IPL cricketer for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, and Mumbai Indians, CM Gautam brings top-level domestic and professional experience to GNS as our India Batting & Wicketkeeping Consultant. A respected wicketkeeper-batsman from Karnataka, he has played a key role in multiple Ranji campaigns. Known for his composure, leadership, and consistent middle-order performances, he blends patience with controlled aggression, making him a dependable force in domestic cricket.

Firmin D’ Souza

Consulting Technical Director – GNS Football

Firmin D’ Souza is a highly respected international football coach holding UEFA/FA and AFC ‘A’ Licenses and a FIFA Youth Development certification. A former Head Coach of India’s U15 Men’s and Women’s National Teams, he became the youngest coach to win the SAFF Cup. With 750+ matches and a 94% win rate, he now serves as Consulting Technical Director at GNS Football, leading the academy’s technical vision and high-performance development.

More than an academy, we turn potential into champions.

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Learn From Those Who’ve Played at the Highest Level

Our athletes also benefit from mentorship and interaction with former international players like Nathan Astle, Jesse Ryder, and other global professionals.

Mathew Sinclair

Llorne Howell

Nathan Astle

Jesse Ryder

C. M. Gautam

Recognised By The Greats of the Game

Over the years, Grounds and Sports International has had the privilege of interacting with some of the finest personalities in world cricket. These moments reflect our deep involvement in the sport and our continued commitment to learning, growing, and contributing to cricket development at every level.

Why Choose GNS

International-level coaches with real playing experience
Structured skill-development programs
Safe, disciplined, and professional training environment
Match exposure at local, state, and national levels
International tours and cricket exchange programs
Strong focus on mindset, fitness, and long-term development

We don’t run short-term programs.
We build careers, confidence, and character.

Join Our Story

Every athlete’s journey is different — but the foundation must be strong.

Whether you’re a parent seeking the right environment for your child or a player aiming to take the next step, Grounds and Sports Int. offers the guidance, structure, and exposure needed to grow with confidence.