The WICB Grassroots programme, which focuses on boys and girls aged 11-18, is currently run on the Greenland Field in partnership with the BVI Cricket Association. A sister programme is also run on Virgin Gorda. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Ian Sampson, who has left the Territory to continue his education, was with the WICB Grassroots Programme since it started and recognised the benefits of the training in both playing the game and also learning new "life" skills". Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The programme, which focuses on boys and girls aged 11-18, is currently run on the Greenland Field in partnership with the BVI Cricket Association. A sister programme is also run on Virgin Gorda.

Between the two locations, known as Clusters, over 50 Boys (unfortunately no Girls yet) regularly attend the sessions that feature all aspects of the game, including batting, bowling, wicket keeping and fielding as well as other areas of the game such as fitness, nutrition, mental preparation and match awareness.

The Tortola Cluster has been able to take full advantage of the new field at Greenland as well as the new artificial wicket recently installed by the BVICA for their domestic 20/20 Tournament having been based at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) for the previous three years; a location it will return to once some much needed work is carried out to the ageing playing surface.

“HLSCC and Dr Karl Dawson have been a life saver to the programme since we started and we hope to return there soon as well as offer some sporting activity to the college,” commented Head Coach of the Programme, Mr Charlie E. Jackson. “Many of the Boys that have gone through the Grassroots Programme are or will be at the College and it’s important to have some continuity for them.”

At the session last weekend, which ran from 1 P.M. until 4 P.M., Ian Sampson, who has been in the programme since it started, said farewell to his team mates and new found friends as he is leaving the Territory to complete his schooling in Guyana. “Since I enrolled in the programme I saw it as a very good programme that helped me develop my skills. I have steadily got better and better, both in batting and bowling,” commented Sampson. “I met new friends, learnt how to be a disciplined person and really enjoyed the hard work and training.”

As with most things in life, a good succession plan is required to survive and Cricket is no different. As soon as Sampson was presented with a new shirt to remember his days in the programme and packed his bag for the last time, two new players were taking to the field representing the future.

13 year old Demary Samuel and 11 yr old Marcus Butler Jnr. both showed some raw skills and definite excitement as they went through some fielding drills before playing in a small sided match against their older counter parts.

Butler Jnr, a fan of Kishmar Santokie and the Guyana Amazon Warriors, said “I really like cricket and want to learn more about it and get better.”

The Tortola Cluster also plays against the VG Cluster with VG winning all 3 games played so far. With the WICB about to launch the same programme on St. Thomas and St. Croix, there will be a lot more competition coming for the players.