Over 100 benefit from intense cricket coaching in Dr Tulsi Dyal/BCB cricket clinics 2023

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), as part of its intense coaching programme, continues to invest heavily in youths across the county. The proactive board hosted two cricket clinics for youths in two sub-zones. The first clinic was held at the Cotton Tree Ground for youths in the West Berbice area, while close to fifty thousand attended the other clinics at the #72 Cut and Load Ground for youths in the Upper/Central Corentyne sub-zone.
The West Berbice Clinic was organized by President of the West Berbice Cricket Association, David Black, and attracted youths from clubs such as Cotton Tree, Bath, Bush Lot United, Achievers and D’Edward.
Head Coach Winston Smith has said he was highly impressed by the passion and commitment shown by the West Berbice youths. He explained that emphasis was placed on the six principles of batting, including stance, grip, and back swing; while the five principles of bowling: grip, run-up, gather, release, and follow through, were also emphasized.

Work was also done on improving the players’ fielding and catching standards, and their overall understanding of the game, including its history, laws and tradition. Level Three Cricket Coach Winston Smith was assisted by Cricket coaches Tremayne Smartt, Travis Hardcourt and Shamal Angel, among others.
At the #72 Cut and Load Ground, the sessions were conducted by Berbice Cricket Coach Leslie Soloman, who hailed the sessions as a resounding success. He was supported by Coaches Bhim Ramkissoon, Junior Blair and Floyd Benjamin.
Special emphasis was placed on batting, bowling, fielding and physical fitness here as well. The youths were also engaged in some intense batting sessions in the batting cage, using the bowling machine.
Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Treasurer Deodat Tharkudin expressed satisfaction with the work of the coaches and their impact on the players. He hailed the support of the BCB, especially its President Hilbert Foster, towards the development of the game in the Upper Corentyne area.
Foster, who visited the clinic at the Cotton Tree Ground, spoke to the players involved and assured them that his administration was fully committed to the development of every one of them.
He recalled that the area has benefitted greatly from the receipt of cricket balls, cricket gear, uniform, scorebooks, coaching manuals, bicycles, educational grants, cricket practice nets, catching cribs, coaching equipment batting cage, bowling machine, among other things, as the BCB strives to assist as much as possible.
Region 5 also has four cricket coaches attached to clubs with the cooperation of the Minister of Local Government. Foster announcement that dozens of youths at the under-13 level would shortly receive over one million dollars’ worth of cricket gear under the Zamal Hussain Trust Fund, while clubs across the county would also benefit for the fifth successive year from the Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer Trust Fund.
The two coaching sessions were sponsored by overseas donor Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, who is the largest BCB sponsor. A resident of Texas, USA, this sponsor was responsible for coaching programmes, cricket tournaments, trial matches, cricket academy and bowling machines for the county in 2023.