The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), as part of a comprehensive developmental programme for the county, is set to launch a major county wide coaching programme for secondary schools.
“The programme would be officially launched early in July with sponsorship from one of the leading companies in Guyana,” a release from the BCB stated.
BCB President, Hilbert Foster, held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of the company and was able to obtain a sponsorship of $1M for the historic coaching programme which will start in September and run until March, 2023.
Foster stated that the programme will involve 22 secondary schools in Regions Five and Six.
He disclosed that the schools will be divided into five sub zones, West Berbice, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje, Upper Corentyne and Central Corentyne.
A battery of coaches including Winston Smith, Julian Moore, Travis Hardcourt, Delbert Hicks, Leslie Solomon and Balram Samaroo are expected to spearhead the programme.
Each sub zone will undergo days of intense coaching with special emphasis on batting, bowling, fielding, wicket keeping and physical fitness.
“The coaching part would be the second of three different segments of the comprehensive programme with the first being the donation of gear, schools and uniforms to all of the schools. The donation would be done in conjunction with overseas Guyanese Lochan Samkarran while the third and final part would be the hosting of five tournaments via the inter zone system,” the release stated.
The coaches, at the end of the three segments will select a 40-member squad consisting of both males and females for further training. Every student attending the camp will receive a copy of the BCB coaching manual.
Foster stated that the BCB intends to train at least one teacher from each school in basic coaching techniques, so that they could continue working with the students in school.
He hailed the upcoming schools programme as another red-letter day in the history of Berbice cricket and predicted that it would have a positive development.
“The main aim of the schools programme would be to look for new players, to develop existing talent and to return the schools to their status as the nursery of the county’s cricket. The sponsor of the programme would also provide uniforms for the coaching staff and promotional materials,” he said.
Foster, and his marketing team, is currently working to obtain sponsorship for another county wide coaching programme for students in primary schools.
