CHARLESTOWN Nevis, February 11th 2011 - Minister of Sports on Nevis, the Hon. Hensley Daniel bowled the first ball to signal the start of the 2011 cricket league on Nevis, yesterday at the Ramsbury grounds.
With the youthful Saeed Williams taking strike and with his fellow under 19 teammates placed in a cordon from first slip to silly point, Daniel served up a leg side wide which was ignored by Williams but his second attempt, a short ball pitching mid pitch was nonchalantly pulled through the onside by the young batsman.
Prior to the on field action, there was a brief but meaningful ceremony which featured an opening prayer by Mr. G Sydney Newton, Manager of the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union, long time sponsors of the Bozo 10/10 league.
The proceedings were chaired at the beginning by former Leewards all rounder, Victor Eddy who applauded the Nevis Cricket Association in its efforts to further develop the game on the island. He also encouraged cricketers and cricket supporters to continue to support the Association.
President Ronald Powell in his address, reviewed the cricket year 2010 and summed it up as ‘successful’. He spoke to the successes of the under 13 and under 19 teams and the fact that the Nevis senior team won the inaugural Leeward Islands T-20 tournament, as highlights of the year past. He made reference to the Association’s newly released calendar of events for 2011 and highlighted some upcoming activities to be coordinated by his Association:
• The Scotia Bank Kiddies cricket which will be coordinated by Deryck Parry, later this month
• The grassroots cricket program. The NCA has sent off the names of the certified coaches in Nevis to be a part of this project.
• The Four Seasons youth program
• LICA has been contacted to conduct a Coaching workshop in Nevis
He also used the opportunity to congratulate Kieron Powell on his maiden first class century.
Marketing Manager for chief sponsors of the league, DIGICEL—the bigger, better network, Ms Marsha Lindo welcomed the opportunity to once again sponsor the league and pledged her company’s support for the development of the game of cricket on the island. She beseeched the youngsters present and all those participating in the league to seize the opportunity ‘to shine’.
“I admonish you to let the spirit of volunteerism, integrity and discipline prove that Digicel’s investment was worth the while -------“she stated
President of the Umpire’s Association, Vincent Weekes pledged his Association’s continued support of the NCA and wished the cricketers well in the upcoming league. He also encouraged the umpires to continue to provide ‘invaluable service’.
Minister of Sports Hon Hensley Daniel was quick to highlight his Government’s involvement in sports and mentioned the further development of cricketing venues around the island. He also mentioned the upcoming plans to rename specific land marks in honour of outstanding cricketers: Livinstone Sargeant; Deryck Parry, Stuart Williams and Carl Tuckett. He also used the opportunity to congratulate Kieron Powell on his recent achievements.
He also took time out to praise the sponsors of the various programs and leagues, for their invaluable assistance and indicated that he is looking forward to the resurgence of the Berridge-Howell tournament this year. He urged the youngsters present to strive to excel and follow in the footsteps of their local heroes and urged one and all to use sports and Cricket in particular as an antidote for anti social behaviour. He also officially declared the league open.
The vote of thanks was eloquently delivered by Mr. Vernel Powell, representative of the disciplinary committee, who thanked all of the stakeholders for their varying contributions towards the one stated goal: Making cricket on Nevis a success story.
The proposed match between the under 19 team and the NCA team had to be aborted due to rain and a resulting damp pitch. However, the Association used the opportunity to host the draw that served to determine the preliminary matches in the Bonzo 10/10 league which commences on Tuesday of next week.
Here is the preliminary list of matches:
Tuesday 15th February—four –thirty-----Highlights v Four Seasons
Empire v Combined Schools
Wednesday sixteenth February—four –thirty—Pennyless All Stars v SDA Jets
Brown Hill v Big Rock
Thursday 17th February---four-thirty----Jessups v Calypso
South Warriors, who got a bye in the draw, will play the winner of the first scheduled match between Highlights and Four Seasons.
Players are reminded that the Bonzo 10/10 league is a knockout format and that there will be no grace period allowed.
