3rd BCB/Scotia Bank Cricket Academy launches with 65 young cricketers

Sep 01, 2011 Sports

The 2011 Berbice Cricket Board/Scotia Bank Cricket Academy was launched on Monday at the Area “H” ground with President Keith Foster challenging the sixty five cricketers present to take full advantage of the opportunities being offered to them by his cricket board. Foster informed the attentive young cricketers that the Berbice Cricket Board was investing heavily into their future because they were the future of cricket in the ancient county and they must be properly groomed to be proper representatives of the county on and off the cricket field.

Coaches and members of the academy take time out for a photo at the launching

The aim of the Berbice Cricket Board is to make sure that Berbice remains strong on the cricket field while making sure that every player who represents the county fully understands their roles as role models and sport ambassadors. He informed the youths that the Berbice Cricket Board would continue with its investment in their development and disclosed that more cricket clinics and seminars would be arranged before the end of the year while the junior elite programme would continue. Foster also stated that with cricket being played at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels, young cricketers in Berbice have more than enough opportunities to showcase and develop their cricketing abilities.
The Academy, the 3rd of its kind to be organised by the Berbice Cricket Board with sponsorship from the Bank of Nova Scotia hosted by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club at the Area “H” ground. The coaching staff is headed by Senior Coach Julian Moore with support from coaches, Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks and Renwick Batson.
Among the players attending the Academy are Shailendra Shameer, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Veerapen Permaul, Kevin Ramdeen, Dominic Rikhi, Loyydel Lewis, Phaffiana Millington, Nial Smith, Romario De Jonge and Arif Chan. Berbice and Guyana senior team player and captain Assad Fudadin visited the Academy on Monday and shared his vast experience with the young cricketers.
Chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board Special Events Committee Hilbert Foster stated that the Academy would conclude on Friday with a presentation ceremony where representatives of Scotia Bank would be present. The sixty five cricketers would be divided into two sections with one group consisting of seasoned cricketers and the next consisting of cricketers who were attending the Academy for the first time. Foster, coordinator of the Academy, stated that is represents the start of the Berbice Cricket Board preparation for the 2012 Inter-county Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 Tournaments.
Members of the Academy would also be launching a Charity Trust Fund where each cricketer would make a contribution towards assisting less fortunate children in Berbice.