RHTY&SC launches historic Kiddies Cricket year-long Academy

…massive investment to be made at under-12 and female levels

Widely considered Guyana’s most active and progressive youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club on Saturday created another first when it launched a historic yearlong Kiddies Cricket Academy at the Area H Ground.

The launching formed part of the club’s efforts to secure its rich cricketing history. Formed in 1990 by three-time Commonwealth and Guyana youth awardee the St Francis Community Developers, the RHTY&SC, MS, has won more than 100 cricket titles and produced 120 players for Berbice, Guyana, or the West Indies.
Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster has said the idea for the Kiddies Academy came to management during the recent successful hosting of the RHTY&SC/Bakewell/Busta Cricket Academy, which attracted a record 135 youths between the ages of eight and 18 years. Close to 35 kids between eight and 12 years were present at that academy, and management decided that in order to keep them interested, a Kiddies Academy would be set up. The academy would be held for four hours every Saturday under the supervision of three coaches – Delbert Hicks, Ryan Algu and Davindra Ramdihal. The main objectives of the yearlong project would be as follows: to teach the kids the basics of batting and bowling; the importance of discipline and hard work; fielding positions; history and traditions of the game; and to correct any technical problems. The academy for this batch of players would last until July next year, when the club would host its 2023 Cricket Academy and another set of kids would start training.
Foster disclosed that the RHTY&SC has obtained all the necessary coaching equipment for the academy, including kiddies’ bats, stumps, balls and practice nets.
Additionally, the club would be investing in educational material for classroom work. The academy would also involve an incentive package, wherein outstanding players would receive cricket uniforms, cricket gear, bicycles, electric tablets, educational grants and household items, among other things.
RHTY&SC Organising Secretary/Cricket Manager Ravindranauth Kissoonlall has also said that several trips to different clubs across Guyana would be organised to expose the kids to different conditions. Senior players of the club, including Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shakabi Gajnabi and Shawn Perriera, would also drop in at the academy on a regular basis for inspirational sessions with the kids.
The academy commenced with 30 kids, including six females, and is expected to grow to about 60 by the end of August, as the club reviews numerous applications from parents.