CWI must forge partnerships

Cricket West Indies cannot do it all on its own where the development of regional cricket for both men and women is concerned, says veteran cricket administrator Vernon Springer.

He is therefore suggesting that CWI look to attract partners to come on board and help ease the situation when it comes to the development of the sport regionally.

“Everybody is looking to Cricket West Indies. Cricket West Indies has an Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19, they now have a professional set up where you play two formats which are the 50 over and also the four-day competition. They were thinking about launching a women’s under-19 and you have the women’s program. Now where are they going to fit in a 13 and under tournament,” Springer asked?

Director of Cricket Operations for the Leeward Islands Cricket Board, Springer strongly believes there needs to be a regional Under-13 competition. He also noted it can be accomplished with the right support system.

“What the 13 and under cricket competition did was prepare you at an early age from ten years old. Kieran Powell played in St. Kitts and Nevis 13 and under tournament at nine years old and scored a century. So, at nine years old he was already beginning to understand what it was like to make a hundred. At this age now if he scored a hundred that means he learnt how to score a hundred at nine years old.

“The St. Kitts and Nevis 13 and under tournament or any 13 and under tournament is a planned pathway that will take you quietly up through the under-15 level. But like I said there has to be a support system. That support system came in place because the directors of sports at the time all bought into the vision of promoting football, cricket, basketball at the junior level. So, you had a number of respective sports going throughout the region,” Springer said.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb