Vincent Olise (born 2 January 1960), nicknamed Pa Feelings, is a British-Nigerian former international cricketer who played for the Nigeria national cricket team from 1983 to 1990. Since his retirement in 2002, he has served as a deacon at Hayes Town Chapel. He is the father of footballers Michael and Richard Olise.
Olise was an all-rounder; he began his career as an opening batsman and fielder, though he later became a right-arm 1st change bowler after his coaching by cricketers Ewa Henshaw and Chris Enahoro. During his career, he had spells in both Nigerian and English domestic cricket, the latter beginning when he immigrated to London in 1990. Olise was also called up to the Nigeria national cricket team in 1983 and represented his country internationally until 1990, during which his playstyle was likened to that of Jonty Rhodes.
Olise remained active within English domestic cricket until 2002, having most recently played for London Nigerians Cricket Club, before his retirement aged 42.
Early life Vincent Olise was born on 2 January 1960 in Lagos, Nigeria. He descends from the Urhobo people who inhabit the Niger Delta.
Domestic career Olise began his cricket career while studying at Government College Ughelliin 1977, where aged 17, he joined the college team and simultaneously played for Bendel State's regional cricket team. When he turned 18 the following year, he joined the Lagos State cricket team, where he remained from 1978 to 1982. In 1982, Olise moved to Oyo State to attend university, and played for the University of Ife's cricket team alongside Oyo State cricket team. During his stint with the team, he also part of the line-up that lost to the University of Lagos in the NUGA finals in 1984. In 1985, Olise won the National Cricket League with the team. In 1986, Olise was one of the top-scoring players for Oyo State with 20 runs, helping the team become seven-time National Cricket League champions. Olise subsequently returned to play for Lagos State from 1986 to 1990, simultaneously playing club cricket for Foundations Cricket Club.
In 1990, Olise migrated from Nigeria to England and settled in London, where he joined the British West Indian Cricket Club. He remained with the club for three years and, in 1993, moved to the London Nigerians Cricket Club, where he remained until his retirement in 2002 aged 42.
International career Olise was initially called up for the 1982 ICC Trophy the previous year and made his international debut for the Nigeria national cricket team in 1983. During the West African Quadrangular tournament against Gambia, Olise took all ten wickets in a single innings, which equalled the national record set by Chris Enahoro. Following this performance he was dubbed Nigeria's Jonty Rhodes. Olise was also named in the national squad in 1989 in a call-up for test-matches against Ghana. He played for the Nigeria national cricket team until 1990. He was also invited to trial for the 1992 squad. Retirement Following his retirement from cricket, Olise remained in London where he has since served as a deacon at Hayes Town Chapel. Olise plays badminton and enjoys gardening, keeping fit, and playing football in his spare time.
Personal life Olise married Mina who is Franco-Algerian and they have two children, Michael and Richard, who are both footballers.
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