The next generation of Trinidad and Tobago players and potentially West Indies players will get their first taste of competitive zonal cricket action when the Scotiabank NextGen Under-13 Development Program begins next Wednesday.
With no sport for the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) could not host its annual under-13 programme. However, it makes a return with a bang as the U-13 cricketers compete for a place in the national team to tour Guyana later this year.
The programme, which was launched yesterday during a media conference at the National Cricket Center in Balmain, Couva, will feature competitive matches as well as a virtual component designed to facilitate the holistic development of participants.
According to Scotiabank Foundation Director Peter Ghany, the program is not just about action on the ground.
“In addition to the zonal tour, participants will engage in a series of development workshops,” said Ghany, who spent some time at yesterday’s presentation to chat with some of the participants in this year’s program.
“The program is designed to help our young players to further refine their skills and expertise so that you can continue to develop on the cricket field, as well as improve your life skills and capacity building, preparing you for future success,” he added. .
He said the program offered will help cricketers unlock their full potential and equip them with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances to become more resilient.
Program facilitator Brendon Ramlal described the online component, noting that it will include specially selected modules to cover players’ physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development.
Meanwhile, TTCB president Azim Bassarath described the U-13 program as one of “historic significance” as he thanked the sponsors for their continued involvement in the development of youth cricket.
Scotiabank also sponsored the NextGen Under-15 Development Program, which was introduced and concluded earlier this season.
Bassarath said the U-13s will play their first competitive cricket in three years since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and the eight-team series will offer the youngsters an opportunity to stake their claim for selection national.
The TTCB president said that although there is no Cricket West Indies Under-13 tour, the TTCB has arranged with the Guyana Cricket Board for a Trinidad and Tobago representative team to tour there in August.
“We will be reaching out to the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Company for assistance with flight tickets and other related needs to ensure that this tournament is completed,” Bassarath said.
He reminded the audience that Scotiabank has had a very long and successful partnership with TTCB, having been associated with the elementary school Kiddy Cricket program for many years.
“Cricket’s ingenious blend of batting, bowling, fielding with art, poetry, song, drama and history served a generation of youngsters and shaped them into successes on and off the field,” added Bassarath.
The U-13s will conclude their tour on May 4 with four matches.
FIRST ROUND
Group A
Tobago vs North, Shaw Park, Tobago
East vs North East, Brian Lara Cricket Academy
Group B
Central vs. Southeast. Marchin Rec Gd.
South vs Southwest, Woodland Rec Gd,
