Newly elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, accompanied by Vice President Albert Smith and Senior Coach Julian Moore, met with forty Berbice Under-19 cricketers as part of his Berbice-wide meetings with cricket stakeholders and players.
The meeting was held at the Albion Sports Complex on Sunday last, and followed meetings in Lower Corentyne, Upper Corentyne, the Berbice Under-17 Team, and Umpires Association. Meetings would also be arranged in the New
BCB Vice President Albert Smith posed with the players after the Meeting”
Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice areas as the BCB seeks to keep Berbicians informed of the massive developments taking place in the Ancient County, and listened to suggestions on how to develop the game.
Foster, in a lengthy presentation, assured the young cricketers that the BCB’s only interest was the development of every player in Berbice, despite their race, creed, the areas they lived in, or clubs they play with.
The BCB, he stated, would not only organise cricket at all levels — Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Intermediate, Double Wicket, Second Division and First Division; but would also invest heavily in coaching, social skills seminars and educational programmes that would assist them to develop into well rounded individuals.
Noting that only eleven cricketers make up a team, he urged the players to take their education seriously, and to develop other skills off the cricket field. Foster informed the Under-19 players that they were role models, mentors to Under-15 and Under-17 players in the county, and as such it was crucial for them to set a proper example for others to follow.
He advised them to say yes to education, religion and no to drugs, crime, alcohol, tobacco. He also advised the youths to avoid night life, and to always listen to the advice of legends of the game.
Moreover, Foster urged the players to become students of the game by doing research on its history, rules and structure.
The Players were told that it does not make any sense to be good players on the field if they are ignorant of the game. Foster, pledged his support for each player, and stated that he was always available to meet with them to discuss solutions to any problem.
He also committed the BCB to providing coaches to assist the players, even on a one-by-one basis if the players request assistance. Foster announced to the appreciative youths that the BCB would once again be providing inter-county caps to every Berbice player in the future, and would be hosting several social skills programmes to educate junior players on topics such as public speaking, table manners, personal hygiene, public manners and personal etiquette.
Vice President Albert Smith, who is also Head of the BCB Cricket Development Committee, reminded the players that there would be a no-nonsense approach to indiscipline. Players would have to be disciplined in all aspects of their game. Smith stated, as representing Berbice is a privilege, not a right.
The highly successful cricket coach, who is also Chairman of the BCB Selection Committee, pledged election based on performances, but warned that indiscipline could result in a player been bypassed.
Senior Coach Julian Moore also stressed the importance of discipline, preparation for matches, and getting the proper equipment/gear for the game. Moore, a Level Three cricket coach, urged the young cricketers to be more focused on their personal individual game, while taking advantage of the opportunities being presented to them.
