SPORTS
Newsday
CONGRATULATIONS to Richard Ramkissoon, president of Central Sports, the club from central Trinidad, for organizing a camp for young cricketers aged five to 16, attracting more than 150 boys and girls. The eight-session initiative concluded Sept. 4 at the Raiders’ Recreation Ground in Felicity.
A Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) media release said the camp was a joint effort by Central Sports and MP for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally, which took place over consecutive weekends.
I hope the spirit in which it was set off will not be allowed to fade as it could do wonders for the youth within the central community and for the future improvement of TT cricket.
One can only look at it as a baby walk, which it is; but it is also an option for children to enjoy and understand from a young age the intricacies of a great sport involving essential formats.
However, it is fundamental in teaching the basics which, when properly taught and encouraged, can produce a fascinating future for a young person. I am sure, knowing the man as I do, Ramkissoon will surely not let this opportunity for promising young cricketers go by.
Training, especially within a club, is the most valuable asset. I can attest to this because I have seen it first hand at Queen’s Park Cricket Club, an organization I belong to.
Regular attendance of students ensures the creation of friendships and goodwill, which predicts future development. This virtue is then transmitted to the coaches involved and the student then learns at a faster pace and his competition helps build his drive.
I exemplify the passion and altruism that is essential.
Noel Guillen, a former TT player, had opened a coaching clinic at Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair in 1956 on Sundays from 9am to noon. Guillen was a member of the famous Guillen cricket family. The cricketing lineage began with his father Victor, who played club cricket at the highest level and also became a Test match umpire. His brother Simpson represented the West Indies and New Zealand in Test cricket.
Two of Noel’s sons, Jeffrey and Charles, were better than club average players. They are both current members of the QPCC cricket committee, with Jeffrey being chairman. Charles is also a certified trainer.
Simpson’s nephew Logan van Beek was a fast bowler for the Netherlands against the West Indies in the 2022 One Day International series and is representing New Zealand A against India A in India. Jeffrey’s son Justin, a left-handed opening batsman, played for TT and represented the WI A team that toured Bangladesh and England in 2010, as well as being a highly successful Queen’s Park captain for over a decade.
This deep appreciation of the sport was the reason Noel opened the coaching school, to pass on the knowledge gained. He has been a coach for 17 consecutive years. He never charged or accepted a fee for his coaching, all done for the love of the game.
Over the years QPCC has developed many players through its coaching school – too many to mention here. The stability it gave young cricketers and the application of the natural skills of many of the participants helped improve the techniques they sought and increased the club’s competitiveness.
The TTCB should introduce a player development plan by ensuring that there are coaching schools at every club. There have been several established over the years, for example, the Harvard Club, where Brian Lara attended his first coaching class at the age of six. There were excellent centers in Preysal, Aranjuez, Powergen, etc.
Cricket is the type of game that explores technique, strategy, tactical acumen, concentration, ability to bat, bowl, catch, plus field campaign. These attributes need self-confidence, brought out through the love of the game and the education of cricketers from an early age. Every club, starting from the top division clubs, should have a training school to bring in the youngsters.
Cricket is changing in many ways. The popularity of the game has increased. This started with the introduction of limited games.
Currently, there are more professional leagues globally to attract cricketers who want a career in the game. Both for men and women they have expanded their space.
Opportunity knocks for those who want it. TTCB needs to produce many more good players continuously, to improve their fortunes and that of the players. And cricketers have to learn the basic art first.
