Windies player promises to assist more in the future

BCB launches Shimron-Nirvani Hetmyer Trust Fund…

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday officially launched the Shimron-Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Trust Fund at the St Francis Community Developers Training Centre.
A total of 70 cricket clubs received a box of red cricket balls while nine young cricketers from the New Amsterdam-East Bank Berbice and Canje area carried home an educational grant of $25,000.

The intended purpose of the grant is to purchase much-needed school items. Berbice Under-19 player Gourav Ramesh also pocketed $20,000 after he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the recent Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 tournament.
BCB President Hilbert Foster called the launching of the Trust Fund as another red-letter day in the development of Berbice cricket as it represented the largest-ever investment by a player into the development of the game. The BCB received $1 million from the Hetmyers for the Fund while the Board invested an additional $100,000. Eight hundred thousand dollars were used to purchase the balls, $225, 000 in total was distributed to the nine students while another $100,000 was earmarked for the honouring of Berbice inter-county MVPs.
The BCB boss hailed the West Indies player for remembering his roots and disclosed that over the past three years, Hetmyer has donated millions of dollars to the development of the game. For 2021 alone, in addition to his million-dollar sponsorship of the trust fund, Hetmyer has sponsored three cricket tournaments and has assisted numerous charity programmes. Foster urged the young players to make their educational career a top goal in life and  also urged the clubs to invest heavily in youth development.

In a comprehensive report, the BCB President  informed the attentive gathering of plans for 2021 which include the hosting of the inaugural Semi-Professional League, the visit of two international cricketing superstars, distribution of millions of dollars’ worth of cricket gear from England and India along with the hosting of at least 40 tournaments  at all levels.
BCB Patron and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, in his feature address, spoke broadly of the importance of discipline, proper club management, education, and the need to give back to society. The BCB Patron urged the clubs to follow the Board guidelines for COVID-19 infection prevention, especially the wearing of masks, and allowing no spectators into venues. He hailed the contribution of Hetmyer to Berbice cricket and pledged that as Patron of the BCB, he would work very hard to make sure that every dream is fulfilled across the county.
Sharing his thoughts, Hetmyer, in brief remarks, stated that he was very delighted with the current development taking place in Berbice cricket and felt privileged to give back. He said that he clearly remembered his struggles growing up and as such, wanted to assist as much as possible, so that other youths could realise their dreams, on and off the cricket field. He committed to continuing to assist Berbice cricket in the future.
Representatives of the club expressed gratitude to Hetmyer and his wife for their assistance and committed to use the donation for the intended purpose. Among the clubs who received a box of balls were Port Mourant, Achievers, University of Guyana Elites, Scottsburg, Guymine, Mount Sinai, Edinburgh, Kildonan, Bush Lot United, Cotton Tree, Hampshire, Albion, Tain, and Whim.