Eleven coaches have been tasked with guiding the Block T20 cricket squads in the upcoming community-based cricket competition.
Under the banner of the Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Council (NSC), project director Courtney Browne revealed the chosen coaches along with their 11 parish attachments for the tournament which bowls off on July 28.
Former Windward Islands first-class cricketer and CJM Enterprises Boscobelle stalwart Alston Bobb is relishing the chance to impart his knowledge while in charge of the St Peter team.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity. I’ve been doing some work with the Boscobelle Cricket Club for the past four years. To work with these youngsters is really a good opportunity for me, to continue in coaching and to try to pass on whatever knowledge I would have gained from cricket over the years,” said the 41-year-old whose squad mainly consists of school-age youngsters.
“Most of the guys are youngsters going to school, so it’s not like they were taken off the block per se. These are youngsters who are playing for their school. One or two guys would have finished school and have not really established themselves as playing at the national level or anything like that,” said Bobb, who identified Thierry Edwards, son of former West Indies cricketer Fidel Edwards, as one of the more recognisable players in the St Peter squad.
“And we have a couple guys who play for Boscobelle in the [BCA] second division as well, a few guys from CP [Coleridge and Parry] School and other areas,” he said, identifying Joshua Babb as one of the CP cricketers.
Former Windwards cricketer Alston Bobb takes charge of the St Peter squad in the Block T20. (CWI)
Bobb noted that ongoing school cricket schedules have hindered the squad’s training; however, he remains focused on player development.
“We haven’t really been able to come and practise as a unit, so it’s more so for development this time around. Once this tournament continues, then we could start looking at winning in that aspect, but for now it’s just for these guys to get the opportunity to go out and showcase their skills.”
Coach of the St John squad Stephen Payne echoed Bobb’s statements, indicating that he and his squad will be “feeling out” the initiative’s inauguration.
“I am looking at development for the first year. I am challenging to win, too, but I also just want the fellows to enjoy themselves with the experience. We want to compete but I’m mostly looking at development,” said Payne.
Though he is yet to finalise his squad, he named Empire’s Joshua Haynes and ESA Field Pickwick’s Shamar Forde as his standout players.
Known for his connection with Maple Cricket Club from which he has since moved on, Payne is also involved with the NSC after-school cricket programme. He will be on hand at the NSC’s summer camp.
The Block T20 champions will receive $10 000, while one player from each team will receive a $2 000 scholarship to any learning institution in Barbados.
The tournament is open to young men aged 15-25.
rohansonnwaithe@barbadostoday.bb
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