Young aspiring fast bowlers were earlier on Monday given one over to produce their best ball and highest speed as the University of West Indies’ Sport Faculty carried out their ‘Pace like Fire’ campaign.
Facilitator Akeem Dewar
The bowling clinic which is being conducted around the Caribbean Region, gives bowlers, both male and female, between the ages of 16 and 22 the opportunity to show off their skills.
Facilitator of the programme, Akeem Dewar put down the speed gun for a few moments to give a little insight into the purpose of the bowling clinic.
“Basically, we’re going around the Region and we’re trying to find some young fast bowlers. So we’re going around with the speed gun and we’re going to test for fellas with the fastest speed,” he explained.
Dewar gave a breakdown of what the programme would entail when the selected bowlers leave for the performance centre at in Barbados.
“Then, we’re going to bring them back to UWI Cave Hill at the High Performance Centre and introduce them to the scientific side of sport. So, we’re gonna look at biomechanics, nutrition, strength and conditioning. And we’re also going to introduce the height to level three coaching,” Dewar stated.
He further elaborated that the programme at Cave Hill, Barbados would allow for the participants to interact and learn from the likes of Pedro Collins and Floyd Reifer, among others.
“So, we’re going to have coaches like Pedro Collins, Floyd Reifer, and other West Indies fast bowlers will come around and assist as well as other fast bowlers.”
Speaking on the showcase of talent earlier on Monday in the Georgetown leg at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Dewar noted that he has seen some promising youths with ample speed.
“This is the first stop in Guyana, and it was a decent turnout. We had some guys that showed good speed – close to 80mph, which is good, ‘cause some of them are only around 17 and 18. So there’s always that room for improvement.”
Up-and-coming right-arm fast bowler Demuca Nando took time out to share about the morning’s experience. “I learned a lot, you need to get your run-up right and your strides. You need to really work on your action if you want to go faster. You just need to keep working and never give up,” the Ogle Cricket Club bowler stated.
The fast bowling clinic will travel to Essequibo today and then to Albion on Wednesday. Fast bowlers who are between the ages of 16-22 and think that they have what it takes to compete are invited to attend.
