The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) is proud to announce the appointment of native born cricket and baseball specialist coach, Mr. Mike Young and the former captain of the West Indies cricket team, Mr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul as USACA Cricket Ambassadors.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Photo courtesy of WICB
Young and Chanderpaul will join Colin “Funky” Miller as the second and third ambassadors for USACA. The USACA Cricket Ambassador Programme is designed to align past and current specialists in the game who exhibit an interest in the positive development of US cricket with the peak body for the sport in the USA. With US cricket taking on a more professional shape and new direction, it hopes to include cricket professionals with new ideas and initiatives for development and growth in its operations.
Both Young and Chanderpaul hail from cricketing backgrounds with international experience (playing and/or coaching) and reside in the United States. With their diverse backgrounds and experiences, USACA believes the new ambassadors offer something unique to cricket in this country. USACA CEO Mr. Beazley explained the role of the USACA Cricket Ambassador;
“USACA is seeking high profile people residing in the US to support the new direction for cricket in this country. Mike and Shivnarine will play an important role in assisting USACA to promote cricket to a broad American audience.
Mike is an American success story. He successfully transitioned from baseball into cricket and achieved amazing results in both sports. USACA believes that American kids will identify with him and his journey. If there are talented men and women currently playing other sports such as baseball that may be looking for a chance to try their hand at the world’s second biggest sport, we hope that Mike’s story and involvement may motivate them to try cricket.”
As a new Ambassador for USACA, Mike Young hopes to promote and expand cricket in his home country;
“I’m extremely humbled and complimented to be part of this outstanding Ambassador programme. The overall growth of cricket within the USA has always been a heartfelt passion of mine, so to now have the distinct pleasure of working within the current proactive USACA environment is a fantastic challenge that I’m very excited to be a part of. I can’t wait to be involved in any capacity that USACA feels I may be of benefit,” said Mr. Young.
Mr. Beazley was equally glowing in his praise of the involvement of Shivnarine Chanderpaul;
“Shiv is a born leader who had the honor of leading the West Indies. He was the first Indo-Caribbean player to play 100 Test matches for the West Indies and captained the national team in 14 Tests and 16 One Day Internationals. He had numerous cricketing achievements both with the bat and the ball in his two-decade long career and his partnerships with Brian Lara led to memorable victories for the West Indies.
He remains active in the cricketing arena playing for Derbyshire, but now wants to make a contribution to US cricket and we are grateful for that. Shiv is an inspiration to young players and will provide them with example of how hard work and dedication can pay off”, Mr. Beazley said.
Mr. Chanderpaul spoke from London, “I am thrilled to be part of USACA and to work in the development of cricket in the USA. The North American market is huge and great opportunities lie ahead for the development of the game. I have been a member of the Sarasota International Cricket Club for the past ten years and have been involved in the development of youth cricket, and am also actively involved with the American College Cricket Programme. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive contribution to US cricket with the national body and I am looking forward to it.”
USACA Ambassadors are honorary positions with a two year term.
