Orlando Tanner of Tucber Park receiving a machine from BCB executives and Matt Bruer
Efforts of the Berbice Cricket Board to invest in development of potential youth talents have received a massive boost with the donation of 24 bowling machines from cricket gear manufacturer Dimension Sports and Australian resident Matt Bruer.
The bowling machines were distributed across the ancient county with special emphasis being placed in the Berbice River Sub Association and the New Amsterdam-Canje Area.
Matt Bruer has close relationship with the county, as he is married to a Berbice resident and has assisted the county in the past, including during the administration of the late Leslie Amsterdam.
BCB President Hilbert Foster was loud in his praise of Bruer, whom he describes as a true and passionate supporter of Berbice Cricket. He also expressed thanks to the Australian citizen for introducing him to owner of Dimension Sports, Phil Slatter. Bruer shipped a 40-foot container of items including cricket gear, bowling machines, bicycles and coaching equipment, among other things.
Bruer has spent the last month in the county, visiting clubs and schools to distribute the cricket gear and equipment. The Berbice Cricket Board has also assisted in the distribution of the bowling machines and coaching equipment. Among the clubs that benefitted are No. 73 Young Warriors, Skeldon Community Centre, Tucber Park, Bath Community Centre, the Achievers Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje Community Centre, Wiruni Cricket Club, Kimbia Cricket Club, Ebini Cricket Club, Friendship/Sandhills Cricket Club, Adelphi Pathfinders Cricket Club, Goed Bananen Land Cricket Club, Betsy Ground Cricket Club, and Gangaram Cricket Club.
The schools receiving bowling machines were All Saints Primary, Rose Hall Canje Primary and Betsy Ground Primary School.
Foster expressed pleasure that the teams in the Berbice River Sub Association received the machines, as that would assist the teams there to improve their games. The sub-association is now a vital part of the BCB developmental structure, with tournaments been played and the sub association recently won the RHTY&SC/Bakewell Naeem Naser Memorial Tournament. They defeated Rose Hall Town Bakewell in the finals and Foster expressed hope that the victory would inspire them to greater heights. The BCB for this year has also assisted the sub-association with practice nets, coaching equipment, cricket gear, scorebooks, cricket balls, catching cribs and educational materials.
The sub association is also expected to make their debut soon at the first division level in a BCB 20/20 tournament.
Bruer expressed happiness at been able to assist Berbice Cricket once again, and said he is confident the massive investment would result in the discovery of more cricketing talents.
Special mention was made of slater, the Australian born owner of Dimension Sports, for assisting to realise this multi-million-dollar investment. Dimension Sports which operates out of Australia and Canada, manufactures gear for several sports, including cricket, golf and soccer.
BCB Secretary Angela Haniff expressed gratitude to Bruer for spearheading the project, and noted that the Berbice Board cherishes his hard work and dedication. The BCB’s objective is to produce ten players for the West Indies at all levels over the next five years.
