RHTY&SC Basil Butcher’s Berbice Cricket Development Fund, launched

Nov 24, 2008 Sports

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club / Basil Butcher / Berbice Cricket Development Trust Fund (BBBCDTF), was officially launched last Sunday at the St. Francis Annex Restaurant by former West Indies vice Captain Derrick Murray.

Some $840,000 worth of cash and educational materials were distributed to twelve under-15 cricketers and a similar amount of division one clubs from the Ancient County.

Secretary / CEO of the RHTY&SC Hilbert Foster confirmed that the main aim of the BBBCDTF was to support young cricketers in fulfilling their potential while assisting cricket clubs to develop. He further stated that Butcher wanted to give back something to the game that gave him so much and was of the view that assistance must be given to under 15 cricketers who were from low-income families.

While acknowledging that the Trust Fund is the only its kind in Guyana Butcher challenged the young cricketers to dedicate themselves to the game and to avoid at all costs the social ills of the world.

Second vice president of the BBBCDTF David Black in his presentation on behalf of the Board thanked the RHTY&SC and Butcher for their investment in Berbice cricket. He noted that in 2008 Berbice cricket has seen many new developments due to a proactive leadership and stated that the club and players were appreciative for the assistance.

Butcher in his remarks recalled the impact cricket had on his life as it opened doors that would have remained closed.

The Trust Fund, Butcher said, would expand over the years to accommodate more youths and clubs county wide. He praised the RHTY&SC for successfully organising the launching.

Guest speaker, Deryck Murray, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board in his address hailed the Trust Fund as historic. “Funds such as these are needed across the Caribbean to assist clubs and young aspiring cricketers as the West Indies work hard to once again climb the ladder of success.”

“I urge the young cricketers to always be disciplined, work hard and always listen to advise especially from those older cricketers who had played during the glory days of West Indies Cricket.”

Murray also challenged the leaders of the clubs present to work harder, to be visionary in their planning and to be honest in what ever they do.

Butcher and Murray then shared out the packages to the young cricketers and clubs. The players who received $10,000 cash and an equal amount in educational kits are, Quacy McPherson (West Indies), K. Singh (Blairmont), Kwesi Mickle (Police), Orlando Tanner (Bermine), Linden Austin (Young Warriors), Udesh Imrit (Canje), G. Motie (Albion), Arif Chan (Port Mourant), Clifford McKenzie (Kildonan), Harris Immamdeen (Skeldon), Trevor Thomas (Scottsburg) and Loyden Lewis (RHTY&SC).

Each of the clubs also received funding to purchase twelve cricket balls along with $45,000 worth of educational kits. The BBBCDTF is funded by the Butcher family and the RHTY&SC and is run by the Cricket Development Committee of the club.

RHTY&SC acknowledges the contribution of the Reds Pereira Sports Foundation, Caribbean Airlines, Stanley Ming, Conrad Plummer, Berbice Cricket Board, Little Rock Suites, Guyana Beverage Company and the St. Francis Community Developers.