St John’s, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board Digicel Grassroots Cricket Training Programme is about to burst into full swing. Over 2600 youth cricketers all across the Caribbean will receive specialized coaching from over 180 WICB accredited coaches in the coming months.
The programme has already commenced in Trinidad & Tobago and the British Virgin Islands. In Trinidad & Tobago the programme covers 52 clubs with just under 500 participants in the Under 15 category alone. The Under 17 category will commence in June.
The WICB Digicel Grassroots Cricket Programme caters to youth cricketers from the age of 12 to 17 and follows on from the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme which is designed for kids from 6 to 11 years old.
“This is a grand programme for the WICB. It is a most important cog in the developmental wheel. We are extremely pleased to be partnering once again with Digicel on this programme which is aimed at strengthening West Indies cricket at the very base,” said WICB Director of Cricket Tony Howard.
“The WICB Digicel Grassroots Cricket Programme will reach thousands of youth cricketers and provide them with the basic skills as they progress in the game,” Howard added.
Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said; “Digicel is committed to bringing the fun, excitement and passion of cricket to as many people as possible across the region.
“Supporting the game at grassroots level is vital in ensuring that the future of West Indies cricket burns brightly – and the hopes and dreams of players and fans alike are realised. With that, we are thrilled to be partnering with the WICB for the Digicel Grassroots Cricket programme,” he continued.
In addition to Trinidad & Tobago and BVI, the programme will be executed in Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and Guyana.
By the end of this month all countries would have commenced the programme.
The WICB will provide each group with a start up kit comprising 2 bats, 2 pairs of batting pads, 2 pairs batting gloves, 2 helmets, 1 pair wicketkeeping pads, 1 pair wicketkeeping gloves and six balls. Dependent on the needs of each group, additional equipment and gear will be provided to enhance the training programme.
| Country Information | |||
| Countries | Total Clusters | Total participants | Total Coaches |
| Guyana | 16 | 512 | 32 |
| BVI | 2 | 45 | 4 |
| Nevis | 3 | 45 | 6 |
| St. Kitts | 3 | 103 | 4 |
| Trinidad | 16 | 480 | 32 |
| St. Lucia | 3 | 90 | 6 |
| St. Vincent | 3 | 90 | 6 |
| Grenada | 3 | 90 | 6 |
| Dominica | 3 | 90 | 6 |
| Antigua | 4 | 80 | 2 |
| Jamaica | 12 | 360 | 24 |
| Barbados | 12 | 360 | 36 |
| Anguilla | 2 | 60 | 4 |
| Montserrat | 2 | 60 | 4 |
| USVI | 3 | 90 | 6 |
| St Maarten | 2 | 50 | 5 |
| Total | 89 | 2605 | 183 |