J'ca Mini-Academy Launched
"Grab it with both hands."
That was the message from 'Jackie' Hendriks, WICB Director and President of the Jamaica Cricket Association as he addressed the batch of youngsters enrolled in the second George Headley Centre of Excellence (GHCE) programme. The official launch took place on August 6th at the GC Foster College of Physical Education in St Catherine Jamaica, where the programme will be based.
Nineteen cricketers (including four female cricketers) most under the age of 19, listened as Hendriks urged them to make the three week programme worthwhile. "I never had the opportunity to get formal coaching, but would pick up skills from watching international players" he said. "This is something that you must not allow to slip out of your life" he continued. "Enjoy the programme and put your heart and soul into it" said Hendriks.
The programme which is dubbed a 'mini-academy' was formulated by the WICB Developmental unit and runs from August 3?24. It was named after the famous West Indian batsman from Jamaica, frequently described as a genius and the 'master of them all'. Dr Michael Seepersaud, Chief Cricket Development Officer of the WICB told the cricketers that "although we're not performing well these days, remember we have a very rich heritage and legacy. At one time we produced the finest cricketers in the world". He encouraged them to diversify their skills and not just concentrate on their primary cricket skill.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, WICB Territorial Development Officer Philip Service, said that the idea of a mini-academy had been around for a long time but Dr Seepersaud is to be credited with the energy that was required to get it off the ground.
According to Service, last year the inaugural programme was a resounding success, since it recognized that in the modern game, it's not just about talent. The well balanced curriculum is designed "to boost the personal, technical and professional development of Jamaica's most talented young cricketers between the ages of 15 and 19 and produce more all - rounded cricketers in the future". At least five of last year's participants are currently representing Jamaica in the U-19 regional tournament. Hendriks said that the programme may be shifted to July next year, in order to use it as Jamaica's preparation for the U-19 tournament.
The content of the curriculum is broken down into the following components:- Cricket skills (55%), Complementary Skills such as balance and movement (10%), Mental Skills (15%), Life Skills which includes Communication, Public Speaking and Conflict Resolution (10%) and Fitness, Conditioning and Injury Prevention (10%).
The Head Coach for the cricket aspect of the programme is Jeffery Dujon, and he will be assisted by a team which includes Robert Haynes, Gibbs Williams, Andre Coley, Kenny Benjamin, Lorna McKoy and Robert Turner. Andre Coley, who is the Assistant Programme Director, said that the number of coaches is to ensure that at no time will there be more than five players to one coach. Lecturers from the GC Foster College, as well as outside experts will deliver the non-cricket aspects of the programme.
The number of cricketers will be brought to twenty, and they will be involved in competitive matches towards the end of the programme. The participants are:
Marcel Parchment - Kemps Hill School, Clarendon
Michael Jackson - St George's College, Kingston
Ricardo Sitcheron - Westmoreland
Erron Downer - Old Harbour High, St Catherine
Rashed Outar - St Catherine High, St Catherine
Marvin Loban - Kingston
Domain Wilson - Norman Manley High, Kingston
Damian Sangster - Holmwood Technical, Manchester
Junior McKenzie - Spanish Town High, St Catherine
Kemar Allen - Albert Town High, Trelawny
Darnell McCallum - Jonathan Grant High, Kingston
Blake Grant - Merlene Ottey High, Hanover
Marlon Williams - Old Harbour High, St Catherine
Andre McCarthy - Holmwood Technical, Manchester
Tushane Salmon - Maggoty High, St Elizabeth
Chadeen Nation - Dinthill Technical, St Catherine
Tameka Sanford - Kingston
Chanelle Daley - Dunoon Technical, Kingston
Vanessa Watts - Kingston
Pastoral care for the youngsters will be provided by Lorna McKoy who is also a former West Indies cricketer, and Clayton Williams.
With a budget of approximately US$25,000, funding for the GHCE is solely from the JCA's coffers through development funding provided by the WICB. Said Brian Breese, CEO of the JCA "despite the problems with getting funding, we believe in the programme". Philip Service made a call for Corporate Jamaica to come on board saying "this is where it needs to invest its money, to return West Indies cricket to winning ways".
'Jackie' Hendriks outlined that the long term plan of the WICB is to have satellite academies throughout the region, with the most talented cricketers going on to the Shell Cricket Academy in Grenada.