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17 February 2012
Harlequin enters partnership with West Indies Cricket for St Vincent school initiative
Harlequin and the West Indies
Cricket Board (WICB) have signed a deal that
will see children from 10 schools in St Vincent
& The Grenadines receive free cricket coaching.
The Secondary Schools Cricket
Training Programme, which becomes a part of the WICB
Grassroots Cricket initiative, will be conducted
after school for 3 hours per week and is open to all
children in the selected schools when it launches on
Monday 20th February 2012.
WICB-accredited coaches will
provide the training, and all necessary equipment
and kit will be supplied.
A highlight of the programme will
be a new annual Youth Cricket Tournament, hosted by
Harlequin in St Vincent. Part of the agreement will
also see the WICB provide coaches for Harlequin’s 5
star luxury destination, Buccament Bay Resort, to
carry out cricket coaching for guests.
Dave Ames, CEO of Harlequin,
shared his excitement for the announcement: “This
programme promises to be of great and lasting value
to all involved, and I’m very proud to help the WICB
deliver this significant investment in the future of
St Vincent and its people.
“Just as with Harlequin’s
involvement in other Caribbean initiatives, like the
Liverpool FC Academy Soccer School we helped to
launch for local schools and football clubs in
Barbados last year, the goal is to engage, inspire,
and nurture talent. You never know, we might
discover the next Brian Lara while we’re at it!"
CEO of WICB, Dr. Ernest Hilaire,
said of the agreement: “This represents another
significant step in the WICB’s programme to broaden
the development and training at the grassroots
level, which will ensure that more kids develop a
love for cricket and learn basic drills about the
different facets of cricket.”
“We are delighted that Harlequin
have come onboard as a partner in the development of
cricket and welcome them to the West Indies cricket
family. We look forward to a fruitful relationship,”
Dr. Hilarie added.
The three-year programme is being
conducted with the full support and sanction of the
government of St Vincent & The Grenadines. It is
hoped that the WICB and Harlequin can expand the
programme to other Caribbean territories in the near
future. |
