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WICB Franchise System designed to produce more quality cricketers
– attractive remuneration in store from October 1 under retainer contracts
By Zaheer Mohamed
The Franchise System adopted by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) main purpose is to produce more quality players, professionalize first class cricket in the region and help the West Indies team return to its glory days.
Cricketers and officials of the GCB at the ceremony yesterday.
Under this system, each of the six franchises, which are the six Regional teams, will be issuing retainer contracts to 15 players starting from October 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015. The WICB will sign a tri-partite contract with all the franchises and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
The Guyana Franchise system which has been named Cricket Guy Inc. (CGI) will be operating under the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).
This structure will see 15 players who are being awarded level A contracts earning US$2500 per month, US$1700 for level B and US$1250 for level C. Under this system, the best players will be pre occupied.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Everest Cricket Club yesterday to address the players on the Franchise system, Marketing Manager of the GCB Rajendra Singh said this structure is also geared to feed the West Indies team and players will be paid for their commitment and their development will be more structural and monitored.
Singh indicated that Players will now become full time employees of the CGI and be held more accountable to their employers. He said the franchises will now demand excellence.
“The GCB will have to report to the WICB on the development of each player who will be required to maintain minimum fitness levels throughout the year”, he added.
This system will be funded by the WICB and the GCB will receive US$45,000 per month to pay their contracted players. Singh stated that the franchise system has been guaranteed for four years and is renewable for another four years.
He pointed out that the WICB will make every effort for the continuation of this programme. Singh said that any player who fails to honour their contractual obligations will be suspended for one year adding that the Franchise System will also facilitate any player who wishes to further their studies.
He added that players must make themselves available to play in both 50-over and four-day tournaments stating that their failure to do so can have some ramifications on their selection to the West Indies team.
Singh informed that the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill will not affect the Guyana Franchise although it falls under the GCB it will be run by the CGI which is a separate body. He explained that the directors of the CGI are the Executive members of the GCB and they will employ a Chief Executive Officer to head the CGI. The second phase of the system will start on August 31, 2015 and conclude on July 1, 2016.
The Regional first class tournament is the criteria used to select players for the respective Franchises and Singh pointed out that 10 local players have already been identified to be on the Guyana Franchise. He said the GCB have submitted a list of 15 players additional players for the pool of 90 from which five will be drawn for each franchise. He noted that the remaining 60 players can play Regional first class cricket and will be considered for future selection on the Franchises. The draw will take place in Barbados next week.
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