And Still I Rise

St Vincent and the Grenadines can now boast of its own cricket academy, the first of its kind on the island.The Academy,under the guidance of Alfred Bynoe and Neil Williams,former Windwards and England bowler was launched at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on the 9th of April and cites as its aim the development of young cricketers in a holistic manner.To mark the occasion a 20 overs game was played between the NCA and a Richland Park X1 which the former won by 9 wickets.

The realisation of the National Academy has been a dream come true for pioneer Alfred Bynoe. Bynoe,a Development Officer of the WICB said the idea of the academy came from his involvement with Kiddy cricket,some four years ago. Back then there were only 8 participants but the number has now grown to 50 including three females between 7 and 15 years old.The Academy which will operate on Saturday mornings and during the Easter and August vacations is expected to show a steady growth in enrolment and development.However,the Academy is in need of sponsorship to aid in meeting its administrative costs since the major funding comes from monthly fees paid by students.

Speaking at the launch Michael Seepersad, Chief Development Officer of the WICB listed Technical and Tactical, Education, Fitness and Conditioning, and Mental Development as pillars on which the Academy must stand. He also urged the management to "concentrate not on winning but on development".The other addressees were Lennox John,president of the Windwards Cricket Board, Julian Jack,president of the SVGCA and Chairman of the National Academy's Steering Committee,Garth Saunders `

Although,still very much in its infancy the Academy is already proving itself to be a nursery for emerging talent.Four of its members were called to the National Under 15 trials and eight were part of a St Vincent representative team to Trinidad last month.Plans are also afoot to enter an Academy team in the second Division of the National Cricket Championship in 2006.Assisting Bynoe and Williams are Ian Allen, current coach of the Windwards team and current players Kenroy Peters and Olanzo Jackson.