The Dominica Cricket Association and the Government of Dominica officially launched the Dominica Cricket Academy on Sunday December 14, 2014, for 17 young cricketers around Dominica.
At the opening ceremony, Donald Peters, chairman of the academy’s board of directors, called on the players to practice hard because they “are being prepared to be first class players in the future.”
Parliamentary representative for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas, welcomed the players to Portsmouth and ask them to be patient and take the game seriously so that one day some of them will be like great West Indies players of the past like Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and Michael Holding.
He also encouraged the young players to play domino, draft and chess in their spare time on camp in order to build their ability to concentrate while sports minister Justina Charles stressed the need for discipline at all times pointing out that the road to success is not an easy one.
Director of the Academy, Liam Sebastien, highlighted the need for the boys to take their school work seriously “because there is life after cricket” and he asked the parents to continue to help the young cricketers.
The 17 players are Kassim Peltier, Deon Burton, Joshua Challenger, Alick Athanaze, Kyle Cabey, Sherlon George, Lee Louisy, Brian Joseph, Kershaski Jno Lewis, Gillon Tyson, Daneal Dupigny, Josiah Hilton, Kurtney Anselm, Tahj Tavernier, Leci Charles, Khamal Hamilton and Kimron George.
The coaches are head coach Sam Kerna, Mervin Thomas and Fernix Thomas.
One of the reasons why politics is coppulated into disciplines like these is because of small and naive mentalities or thinking. I fully agree with you on that brother with such experiences like Kentish could do wonders for these guys the country and region but when you got folks with limited vision do you expect a capitulation of broad thinking? Never!!! So pathetic how these folks go about doing business the same old freaking way expecting change.( Yea it might change but in a regressing way). But don’t get me wrong this is not to discourage these young men but get my point it’s about this cancer called politics that kills good ventures like this. Just take a look at the current state of West Indies cricket and you won’t have to wonder why. Politics.
I’m natureboy and I’m second and I love my Dominica
But lets keep damn politics out of this business.
Sports and academics go hand in hand. The games of domino, draft and chess are very good games for the mind. There is someone who said that “there are thousands of moves in chess and that the game causes one to think before he/she makes any bad decisions.” I believe that these games should be a part of the schools’ curriculum and all students should be exposed to them.
ONE LOVE
Well -done and best wishes to all those who made this possible, this is the way to go, congratulations to the parents, coaches and young boy for dedicating themselves to their future
Brilliant move! Integrate sportsmanship and the importance of academics as well. Teach them to be good people before they become good sportsmen. After it is said and done the society will be better off for it.
Good luck to all.
You’ve made my day!!! I feel certain that this will prepare and equips our youngsters as future cricket greats!!! It’s long overdue so well done to all involved in achieving this. Fabulous news. Thanks DNO for sharing this brilliant news.
Politics is really crippling this beautiful country of our. How can they leave out a sports personality like Mr. Thomas Kentish out of a cricket academy. I wonder if it is because he was on the team to elect Mr. Lugay of Team Dominica
@Doc. Love
Get a life – enough of this political talk! I’m sure there are numerous other athletes that are equally qualified. There is such a thing as volunteerism Mr. Kentish and others can still be involved in grooming these young men.
Congratulations to all involved this is indeed a great accomplishment, hopefully this will trickle down to the other sports like football, basketball, netball, track and field etc.
Great job. It seems the Minister forgot that Dominica has had cricketers on the West Indies Team. They are also men our young players should emulate. Why are we continuing to big up the so called big islands and neglect our own achievements. And by the way, it would be nice if DNO would identify the villages or schools the participants are from.
Is Antigua, where Vivian Richards is from, a big Island?