Foster implores Berbice clubs to “organise themselves”

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster has warned clubs in the county to organise themselves or face the possibility of being left behind in the new era of cricket.
Foster was at the time speaking at a well-attended Stakeholder Conference held on Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex. Dozens of players, cricket officials, umpires, and representatives of over 35 Berbice cricket clubs attended the historic Conference.
In a comprehensive report on the current state of Berbice cricket, Foster unveiled to the appreciative stakeholders a plan for cricket tournaments, coaching programmes, and off-the-field developmental projects that would make the Ancient County, the pride of the Caribbean.

Foster called on clubs to get themselves organised with a proper management structure, to attract younger players and to be involved in fundraising events to obtain finances that would allow them to participate in the busiest cricket season in Berbice history.
Foster received support from delegates for all divisions and clubs to have a management Team in place and to register a minimum of 20 players for a cricket season. Only one non-Berbician would be allowed to play in a tournament while no over-40 players would play at the First Division level. Teams would also be required to be properly attired for all matches while the transfer system for players moving from one club to another would be strengthened to avoid any abuse.
First-Division clubs apart from the Police Cricket Club would also have a proper nursery structure that includes Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams. Teams that do not have a proper nursery structure or are unable to be properly attired would be left out of the First-Division leagues.
Foster also challenged Second-Division teams to put their houses in order by electing a management team and making sure that the entire team were properly attired in white. Delegates also supported the suggestion that a $3000 bond should be lodged by teams to the Berbice Cricket Board that would be refunded to the clubs as long as they completed their full fixtures in the tournament.
Clubs were informed that a potential coach should be selected to participate in a Pre-Level Coaching Programme that would be organised as the objective was to have a Cricket Coach for every club in Berbice.
They also unveiled plans to have senior Berbice players to visit schools, community centres and cricket clubs across Berbice as role models to inspire the next generation of players.
Foster cautioned the Berbice stakeholders to be aware of persons who have their own personal agendas and urged the clubs to work together with the common goal of lifting Berbice cricket to its highest level.
He committed himself to running an administration free of corruption and malice and stated that under his leadership, Berbice cricket shall not be a puppet to anyone but rather serve in the interest of all Berbicians.
Other executives present at the two-and-half-hour Stakeholders Conference were Vice President Albert Smith, Secretary Robby Saywack, Treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry, Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Public Relations Officer Colin Bynoe Jr, Executive Committee Members Angela Haniff and Desmond Conway.