Thursday, March 28, 2024

Foundation of local cricket

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Veteran educator Jeff Broomes would have welcomed the “placid pitch” on which he had to “bat” last Friday evening when he delivered the keynote speech at the Barbados Cricket League’s (BCL) Presentation of Awards for the 2013 season.

In the ceremony held in the 3W’s Stand at Kensington Oval  Broomes, principal of Parkinson Memorial Secondary School and himself a former BCL player, described the BCL as “the foundation of cricket in Barbados and, based on its outstanding legacy of success and productivity,  one can easily call it the foundation of West Indian cricket”.

The former BCA vice-president, who has served in numerous capacities as an administrator at both junior and senior levels, said that “cricket and education were the two entities that bind us as Caribbean people” and acknowledged that “today, both education and cricket are going through their specific struggles”.

He was speaking before an audience that included Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) president Joel Garner, sponsors’ representatives, members of the BCL’s board of management and a cross section of players, officials and supporters.

He admonished those present to adopt the practice of voluntarism in promoting “the league” as a high-level organisation.

 “In every one of our communities there is a school, a church, senior citizens and youth in need of guidance, support and assistance.

“Let the spirit of voluntarism become part of your mission statement. I still strongly believe that the more you give, the more you receive.

“Not only will those you help benefit from your assistance, but you as a person are strengthened and your self esteem is heightened,” he said.

Awards were presented to clubs and individuals for outstanding performances during the 2013 season with Newberry Province from St James crowned as prestigious, C. O. Williams/Mitchie Hewitt Champion of Champions and the Sir Garfield Sobers Super League Division winners.

 Other divisional winners included St Joseph Cultural (Sir Everton Weekes Premier League), LIME (Barbados Light & Power Seymour Nurse), Mahaica (BRC Sylveter Clarke) and GT Massive (Calvin Watkins Custom Brokers Conrad Hunte/James Bryan).

Former Barbados senior and youth allrounder Ryan Nurse, who represents Welches in the Super League, featured prominently among the individual prize winners, copping awards for the most runs by a batsman in both the league (559) and knockout (177) competitions.

Newberry Province’s former BCL First Division batsman Byron Morris took the most wickets in the knockout (19) and Cyclone’s Theodore Thomas (54) got the most wickets by a bowler in league competition.

Thomas’ teammate Jeffrey King held 29 catches, the most by a fielder, while Henderson Hinds (26) of George Rock X1 captured the prize for the wicketkeeper with the most victims.

Garner and Broomes joined BCL president Glyne St Hill on a list of sponsors’ representatives, former and current players and officials in presenting the awards.

Board member Evans Hinkson was the master of ceremonies and former senior police officer Vernon Wilkinson moved the vote of thanks. 

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