Cayman Cricket looks to build on 2017 successes
Kirven Ebanks celebrating Cayman’s victory over Argentina earlier this year
(CNS Local Life): Cayman Cricket recently held its annual general meeting, reviewing a year in which the Cayman Islands re-entered international competition and the organisation implemented plans to raise participation, and standards, in both youth and competitive categories. During the AGM, Cayman Cricket president Abali Hoilett noted the highlights this year on the competitive front.
This included participation in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 competition in South Africa in September, for which Cayman qualified with a 3-nil victory over Argentina in February 2017. This qualification marked a welcome return to international cricket for Cayman, and an important first step back on the road to rebuilding Cayman as an international cricketing nation, stated a press release.
“We are delighted to note that the Cayman Islands advanced nine places in its international ranking this year,” Hoilett said.
“Rankings are based on a combination of factors such as the participation in the game, official and coaching involvement and independent fundraising levels. This is quite a remarkable achievement which we hope to exceed in 2018 based on the proposed levels of participation and the plans which we already have in place.”
The AGM also recorded the achievements and participation of several players from Jamaica in practice matches for the selection of the senior national team. Also noted was the participation of three Cayman umpires in the South American Championships held in Argentina.
The junior development programme was marked as a source of great pride with more than 4,700 boys and girls participating in cricket activities over the course of the year. These activities included physical education sessions at the primary and high school levels; inter-academy and inter-school competitions, and summer camps hosted by Cayman Cricket, the Department of Sports, Camana Bay and the YMCA.
Cayman Cricket vice president Hector Robinson, added, “The highlight of the year at a local level was the Legends Reunited golf and gala fundraising event in March. We were thrilled to welcome legendary West Indies opening batsmen, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, over a weekend which saw the legends participating in the fundraising events, attending junior training sessions and making media appearances.
“It was great to see the buzz of excitement which accompanied the event, and this was also our most successful fundraising event this year.”
Plans for 2018 include proposals for a tour for a national under-15 team and an international under-19 tournament. There will be a heightened focus on increasing the participation and skill levels of girls, with the aim of entering a girls’ team in an international tournament, stated the press release. At the senior level, Cayman will be playing in an ICC Americas tournament in Argentina, with the possibility of qualifying for a higher level of competition.
Hoilett also thanked private and public sponsors of Cayman Cricket as well as the support of the cricketing community.
Board members and officers voted in for 2018 were Hoilett, returning as president after a spirited challenge from former president Courtney Myles; Robinson as vice president; Marlon Hoyte, treasurer; and Ricardo Roach, secretary. Other board members are Bruce Jalim, Ricardo Sealy, Iranna Baligar and Walton Gooding.
To find out more about cricket in the Cayman Islands, email Hector Robinson or go to the Cayman Cricket website
