Tucker sets sights on improving GCC during presidential tenure

Members of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), the oldest cricket club in the Caribbean, are the custodians of Guyana’s iconic Bourda Cricket Ground. However, the facilities have slipped into disrepair in recent times, and the new club president finds himself at the helm of a team with a monumental task: finding creative ways to restore some of its lost splendour.
Established in 1858, the GCC was once the most prestigious club in Guyana. Membership was much sought after, and cherished mostly because of the approximately 133-year-old Bourda ground, which has been pounded by the bats and boots of many of the world’s greatest cricketers, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Brian Lara, Shiv Chanderpaul, Sachin Tendulkar and Imran Khan.
For well over a century, up to 2006, the world famous Bourda ground was a mecca for cricketers and cricket fans worldwide. In its heyday, many fans rejoiced exuberantly or cried bitterly as they celebrated or lamented the victories and losses of their favourite teams. Win, lose or draw, the players and fans loved Bourda, and so it was for countless years. Then came the crash.
It happened in 2006 when the ground was crossed off the list of Test Cricket venues. The last international cricket match was played at the ground that year, and the loss of high-level cricket led to a meltdown, and a mass exodus of members. Bourda went into free-fall.
But with Timothy Tucker’s ascension to the GCC presidency this month, there is fresh hope of a change in fortunes. The GCC is a familiar place to him; he frequented Bourda as a child with his father and brothers.
“I probably played in my diapers at the GCC… so I am one of the people who went through the ranks at GCC…my bigger brother played for GCC in a number of divisions…,” he said.
“I hold GCC close to my heart because of all the camaraderie I saw growing up with my father and all the old members. And most of my friends are members too. So we all hold GCC close to our hearts…,” he explained.
He added, “It’s clearly an honour to be elected and placed with the responsibility of being the president of GCC…I have an excellent team comprising members who have been members for many years.”
However, he knows that resuscitating the GCC is an uphill battle that requires a comprehensive approach with emphasis on raising revenues.
“We have to face the reality that it is highly unlikely that international cricket will come back to Bourda. The ground is too small…” the new President said, adding that attracting the highest level of the game back to the ground would require tremendous infrastructural work.
Nevertheless, the GCC has been facilitating several sporting activities at Bourda, and Tucker plans to continue some of the work of the previous executive body, and to implement some bold new initiatives.
Uppermost on his to-do list is to find innovative ways to increase revenues. This includes expanding the membership base. Tucker pointed out that the GCC membership has plummeted from around 1,200 members in 2006 to just about 150 paying members today. There are about 50 lifetime members.
“That, by itself, has taken a toll on the club,” he said.
The club’s income was further reduced because Bourda is no longer being used for international cricket, and there is an active injunction to prevent nighttime events from being held there. As such, its stands have fallen into disrepair, and some were pulled down.
The membership drive will encompass trying to re-engage the former 1,200 members and putting measures in place to bring them back onboard. He added that the membership drive will include reaching out to the schools in order to get children interested in the GCC, and in sporting activities in general.
“The reason why most of the clubs through the country have failed is because of the lack of proper sports [programmes] in schools,” he said.
“Back in the days, children would be signed up with one of the cricket clubs or other sports clubs because of their love for the game. Because there are no proper sporting programmes in school system, there is no transition to the clubs,” he explained.
Tucker wants to engage schools, especially those in the Bourda area, to enlighten them about the facilities and opportunities available at the GCC, and encourage them to join as associate members. Sponsorship will also be sought for various GCC sports teams in an effort to re-energise the Club.
He admits that none of the plans they have is possible without revenue. “We can plan and plan and plan, but if we don’t have a source of income to develop or sustain the development of these things, then all is lost,” he conceded.
Discussing the sporting activities accommodated by the GCC, Tucker said that, at the moment, the club has six successful first and second division cricket teams: U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19. Coaching is done by the GCC.
It also has two successful hockey teams – male and female – divided into varying age categories. Hockey is played on the grounds as well as squash. Additionally, dancing classes, karate, jujitsu and yoga classes are held there.
Discussing some of the other plans to revive the ground, Tucker identified improving drainage as a priority. The new committee will hold discussions with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the City Council to address this situation.
Also, under his leadership, the GCC will move to have the club structure registered as a heritage building. In relation to sports, the Club wants to introduce 10-overs cricket and inter-ward cricket.
“We are well aware that the glory days of cricket and test matches at Bourda may be behind us… Nevertheless, our past president, Lionel Jaikarran, was able to light the ground…so we can play night cricket,” he said.
Night football and corporate football matches will also be held on the ground. However, pegged football shoes will be prohibited, to avoid damage.
Tucker said there are plans for an all-weather batting and bowling area where the Lance Gibbs Stand used to be. Other plans include starting a table tennis programme.
Moreover, half of the ground will be converted into a party stand to allow spectators to experience games at ground level and move around freely. He noted that the ground is being properly maintained and was used for women’s T-20 practice sessions recently.
Tucker said he believes in a leadership style of inclusivity. “I believe there should be an open relationship between GCC and its members…,” he said, adding that many have paid their fees over the past years, expecting nothing in return.
“It’s time for us to figure out what they want and [put facilities in place] for them…”
All eyes are on Tucker to see if he can climb his mountain and help restore the GCC and the legendary Bourda ground to their former glory.