St. George’s, Grenada – Nine young cricketers from across the Windwards Islands are benefitting from rubbing shoulders with Windwards Volcanoes First class cricketers.
The players from Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines are attending the first-ever Windwards Apprenticeship Programme (WAP) in Grenada from February 18 -25, 2023.
The main objective of the apprentice programme is to integrate promising Under-19 players into a professional system giving them an idea of what it takes to prepare for First Class Cricket. Also it gives them an appreciation of the efforts required to move through the ranks from junior to senior cricket.
St. Lucia and Windward Islands Under-15 Captain Theo Edward said, “The sessions have been intense, but I am learning quite a lot from the coaches and the players.”
Dominica’s leg spinning all-rounder Jelani Joseph has been working with Windward Volcanoes leg spinner Darel Cyrus. “The guys have been giving me a lot of advice about my bowling technique, things like keeping my bowling arm up, and staying side on when bowling,” said Joseph.
“This initiative allows us to shift the focus down the pathway to our emerging players. We hope this early exposure whets the appetite of these young players as it gives the franchise staff an opportunity to have an up-close look at the talent a little further down the pool.”, Technical Director, Miles Bascombe.
The Windwards Age Group and Women’s Junior & Senior Squads have a busy schedules over the next few months with Under-19 male and senior women’s tournaments carded for St. Lucia in April, followed by Cricket West Indies (CWI) tournaments in May, July, and August.
Players
Edmund Morancie – Batsman (Dominica)
Jelani Joseph – All-rounder (Leg spinner) (Dominica)
Kirk Murray – All-rounder (Left arm spinner) (Grenada)
Kirsten Murray – All-rounder (Fast Bowler) (Grenada)
Kelshon Andrew – Fast Bowler (Grenada)
Kervin Gassie – Fast Bowler (St. Lucia)
Theo Edward – Batsman (St. Lucia)
Reshawn Lewis – Batsman (SVG)
Ethan Gibson – Batsman (SVG)