Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Guyana U-17 team to be encamped today
Coach King says focus will be on all-round development
Dexter Solomon
By Sean Devers
The Guyana under-17 squad will be encamped in the City from this afternoon to December 6 before the 14-man squad wing out on December 9 for the regional under-17 tournament in Trinidad from December 11-17.
During the short camp, the players will participate in fitness and cricket practice activities and the players are expected to assemble at the Guyana Cricket Board Hostel in Third Street Alberttown at 17:30 hrs today.
Reon King, a former West Indies fast bowler, who took 53 wickets from 19 Tests between 1999 and 2005, will be performing the duties of national under-17 coach for the first time after being the Assistant Coach to Albert Smith for the Guyana senior team this year. King said that despite the limited time available, he will be focusing on the all-round development of the players since he feels that this is the age where they really start their careers as they aspire to play International cricket.
“While the preparation time could have been longer this is better than nothing and I want to address the physical, technical and mental aspects of their cricket as they prepare for the tournament in Trinidad,” King said.
Reon King
The 33 year-old, who played 95 first class matches, says that mental preparation at this level is very important and while he thinks that coaching under-17 players could be a challenging experience since they might not be as equipped technically and mentally as their senior counterparts, he feels that they should be more receptive at this age since they have not really achieved anything much as yet and should be hungry to improve and make a name for themselves.
“On Saturday morning we will have an analysis of their fitness levels from 06:00hrs to give us an idea how much work we need to do while we also want to do fielding and actual batting and bowling sessions during the camp,” King explained.
Two practice matches have been scheduled for Tuesday and Friday and King is hoping that by the time the team breaks camp, some improvement in all areas of their game would be noticeable.
“I have spoken to a few of the players including the Captain Dexter Solomon and many of the guys have been finding out the starting date for the camp since the team was selected. I know most of the Demerara players have been training and I would think that those from Berbice and Essequibo have been also doing their own work. I think the guys are all hungry for success and at this age they all want to give their best and be successful so I don’t expect a difficult time working with these youngsters.
The team will be managed by former Guyana fast bowler Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis and the full squad read:- -D Solomon (Captain), J Odle (V/Capt), H Greene, Q Ovid-Richardson, D Roopnarine, D Fernandes, C Pestano, J LaFleur, A Stoll, S Daniels, A Khan, K Joseph, R Devers, T Carmichael.
Stand-bys: H Chattergoon, R Beaton, S Hardial, K Fredericks, K Crosse, A Habib
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