Twelve young cricketers arrived in the federation at the RLB International Airport on Monday 1st March where they were greeted by Minister for Sports, Glen Phillip, other officials from the ministry of sports and the media.
The players represent countries as far as Argentina, Surinam, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada and United States.
ICC representative and manager for the camp, Wendell Copping, who had already arrived on island ahead of the cricketers, explained that “The purpose of the camp is to hopefully develop the skills of the players that will be driving the cricket development on the field in the various countries who are here over the next few years.”
He further noted that the camp will be very intensive and “there are going to be a lot of new initiatives that the players that are here will be seeing for the first time. However we are hoping that when they do leave here they will understand what it takes to become professional players.
“We want to expose the players to the rigors, standards and expectations of the game on the international scene.”
Head coach for the camp is Andy Pick, a former England ‘A’ team and ECB level four (4) coach.
Pick told the media that he is confident with the coaching staff that has been selected to oversee the young players.
“The aim of the camp when we first discussed this venture was to acquire some of the best young cricketers from the Americas region, which we have done. Having assembled them our duty was to provide for them with the best coaching possible and I am more than happy with the coaches that we have selected.”
Although players from the Caribbean region were not included, two players from St. Kitts and Nevis were selected and will be a part of the two weeks camp. The selection of the two young local players was agreed upon as part of the negotiations between the ICC and the Ministry of Sports to host the camp here.
It was also revealed that coaches from the department of sports will also have the opportunity to be involved in the day to day training sessions.
Minister for Sports, Glen Phillip, said that the partnership between the ICC and the Ministry of sports is a welcomed sight for the development of cricket on the island.
“A camp like this can rejuvenate the game of cricket here in St. Kitts by allowing our players as well as coached to witness firsthand the new methods that have been incorporated into the game in recent times.”
Funding for the camp which is the first of its kind in the region is being provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The camp got underway on Wednesday,2nd March 2011.