Latest update March 21st, 2025 5:44 AM
Digicel Grassroots Cricket Programme…GCB CDO satisfied with response
Cricket Development Officer (CDO) attached to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Reon King commenting on the Digicel Grassroots Cricket Programme which is currently being conducted for juniors between the ages of 12-17 years said he is satisfied with the response so far.
King, a former Guyana and West Indies fast bowler speaking with this newspaper gave an overview about the aim of the programme which according to him is to get into non-traditional areas in an attempt to capture new players to the sport.
The Programme which is being funded by the WICB through sponsorship from Digicel is designed to benefit players not previously connected with the game and not those already involved in clubs and school cricket.
Reon King
The former WI fast bowler who is directly responsible for the programme here disclosed that all the coaches are provided with complete kits for the 16 Clusters and apart from learning the basic on-field skills, the participants are also being taught life skills, how to manage money as well as being informed about the danger of AIDS among other related topics.
King said that each Cluster is awarded two coaches, while it is mandatory that for every 3 boys there is one girl.
He informed that among the targeted areas in Demerara include South Georgetown and Sophia, but added that almost every Region apart from Region 1 it is planned to have the programme conducted over a two-year period where at the end of it envisaged that the ones who stick with the programme could move on and make the transition into clubs in their respective communities.
The programme which is currently underway is conducted once per week and is anticipated to run for 15 weeks.
Berbice according to King has seen the largest turnout so much so that even though the design is to accommodate 30 players at one time, they’ve asked to increase it to 45 to provide for the overwhelming response seen to date.
He said that on the West Demerara the response has also been encouraging so much so that the girls account for just about 50% of the attendees.
King also spoke of some other benefits that Digicel is providing which include sponsorship for clubs in need of infrastructural development, technical support, funding to hold camps and equipment procurement among others, informing that all they have to do is fill out a Request Form and submit it to the WICB for approval.
He pointed out that he would like to use the primary schools as the main catchment area to capture a nucleus of new players to the sport, while he would also like to get into places such as the Rupununi and other far flung areas to conduct similar programmes since these communities due to their location it is usually difficult to assign personnel.
At the end of the programme King said he is hoping to organise competitions within the communities that the programme was conducted to gauge the progress of the players.
The programme is divided into two segments, one for players between the ages of 12-15 years and the other for those aged15-17 years.
The programme was launched in July.
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