Important to relay information for the game’s survival – Wintz

By Delvon McEwan

The Malteenoes Sports Club’s (MSC’s) Summer Clinic continued yesterday with an interaction between the participants and Guyana Amazon Warriors’ fast bowler, Paul Wintz, who spoke about players’ social development, as well as the art of fast bowling.
The 30-year-old fast bowler provided an insight into the kind of individual development the game has to offer, but at the same time he urged the players to secure their social growth, especially their education.
He also provided them with a detailed journey of his life and career which started when he was just 13 and continues to flourish presently. “I was raised in a single parent family (I lived with my mother and sister), my mother instilled the importance of education, but I naturally loved cricket. She worked hard to ensure my sister and I got to complete school. In regards of school and cricket, I had to balance the two. I was also part of several camps (just like you here today). I love the game, so I always work hard. Initially, I was a wicket-keeper but due to playing several tape-ball matches, I switch to fast bowling. Since then it has been about elevation for me. Coincidentally, like you youngsters here, Mark Harper (the head facilitator of the camp) was also my first coach when I represented Guyana. He taught me a great deal about cricket and life.”
Wintz finds it important to be involved in activities of this nature because prior to his growth, there were others who would have done the same to relay information from one generation to another for the game’s survival.
He might be a rookie of merely three first class matches, but he is vastly experienced with the art of fast bowling, as witnessed during his interaction. His delivery on fast bowling included how to bowl in-swinging and out-swinging deliveries, how to bowl to aggressive batsmen, bowling up front and at the depth of an innings, how to bowl slower balls without much change in the action, his approach to a limited overs game, as compared to three or four day games, among other things that makes him the fine bowler he is today.
The interaction was done during the lunch break and it went smoothly for its duration of approximately 30 minutes. Wintz was second in a chain of established cricketers to lecture to the youngsters following his Warriors’ colleague, Assad Fudadin.
Prior to the interaction, the first half of the day saw the participants going through various drills to improve their techniques.
Yesterday ended the third day of the two-week long camp, which is being facilitated by former national player and coach, Mark Harper; along with other established coaches. The aims of the programme are: to provide a variety of fun and enjoyable activities which are expected to provide immense pleasure and satisfaction, while teaching the basic skills of the game; to develop hand-eye co-ordination, sharpen reflexes, agility and flexibility, balance and speed; to teach the rules of the game by step-by-step instructions; to develop life skills, such as self-confidence and self-discipline; to build and improve skills and athletic capabilities.
Children will also learn the basics of the game through playing a variety of games that cover all facets of cricket. Games will be designed for small groups to ensure that all children get a go, and that they can test, learn and practice skills as they go. There will also be matches during the programme to test the skills, confidence and mental capabilities of players.
Apart from the qualified coaches, Guyana Amazon Warriors player, Steven Jacobs, who is a member of the club, along with several of his Warriors teammates, will be on hand to deliver motivational lectures during the duration of the camp.
The event will run up to September 2. For more information, contact 225-6509 or call the club’s treasurer, Troy Lewis, on 613-2575.