Who is Joel Durand? Joel Durand is a seventeen-year-old youth from the village of Atkinson; a fifth-former at the Northeast Comprehensive Secondary School; and a rising star in the sport of cricket.
“Cricket is my game, cricket is my life. I just love cricket” says Joel.
Joel’s interest in cricket began at the tender age of twelve while attending Atkinson Primary School. His uncle nudged him into the sport by playing cricket in their yard. Later on, he was inspired by Kavem Hodge, a cricketer from Atkinson who made it to the West Indies team.
It is said that ‘mothers know their children better than anyone else’ and this is true for Charone Durand who knows Joel the best. Charone, being a sports enthusiast, decided to give her son the fullest support. She said, “I saw the potential in him to be a world-class cricketer. I saw his potential in bowling and I encouraged him to be the best in bowling”.
Joel added that he has the ability to be an all-rounder but he will focus on bowling. During primary school sporting activities, he was recognized as the best bowler and as a result, won two kiddies championships.
The young cricketer reminisced about his first major achievement in cricket. “When I was 13 years old, I played for Dominica in St. Vincent and this motivated me to seek my dreams”, he recalled. He was dumbfounded when first selected on the Dominica team to play in St. Vincent. Out of his disbelief, he thought to himself that the selectors
must have seen his potential and vowed to do his best to make his mother, family, friends, and selectors proud.
From then on, he played for Dominica in the under-15 team; and then for the under-17 Windward Team. His greatest achievement so far in bowling is 14 wickets for 27 runs and last year, 5 wickets for 0 runs.
The Atkinson Community is very supportive of Joel. The Chairperson of the Village Council has reached out to him; Cultural Officer, Mr. Rabess recognized him with a trophy, and the coaches and villagers are all rallying behind him with one purpose in mind, which is to help him achieve his dreams. However, it’s a difficult path for a youngster emerging from the countryside to be accepted. Joel had to prove himself repeatedly to find favor with selectors.
Being on the list for the Windward Island under 19 tournament, the community of Atkinson and the entire Kalinago Territory are praying for his success and that his dreams will come true.
Nice run-up and beautiful delivery action – ala Nobert Phillip. The making of a great fast bowler in time to come. You have all the earmarks of a great bowler. Keep it up, brother.
congratulation young man. keep on keeping on.
Thanks for the motivation and support everyone ✝️
I will take the support seriously
Proud of you young man. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve what you want to accomplish. There’s a successful career in cricket and sports today. Work hard, go the extra mile and you will surely reap the benefits.
In this world your mindset is the only limitation. Looking forward to reading of your future exploits !
Beautiful story, DNO. Heartwarming. I wish Joel continued success.
The Kalinago people have robbed of their rightful place in Dominica cricket,More so by the loud and big mouth Jacka from Colihaut.In all my years playing league cricket I have never played against a Kalinago registered team.The cricket authorities treated the Kalinago like dirt,although they had better players than a lot of those who represented Dominica.I wish this young man well.
@Lin Clown
You are an idiot who have been robbed of you mind. Is it from some white substance? I ask because you comments do not pertain to the topic, it’s always garbage. I thought you would call on you fake God, Skerrit, to upgrade all playing fiels in the Kalinago Territory, and please do not destroy them as he is doing throughout the country. That’s what person with a sound mind would do.
I do hope that the young man keeps working hard. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to accomplish it. Shama Joseph did it, so you can do so as well.
Well said linclown! I can name a few men who could have walked into any West Indian team, had they been given proper training and preparation. Aka Laronde, Sam Durand, Claymass Burton, Orlando Eloi, etc.
They were ignored, dismissed and ridiculed, but they kept on urging the next generation.
This boy’s uncle Fenrick Durand (Subu) was a good fast bowler, able to get a sharp bouncer on almost any surface.
@Doug
Walk into West Indies side?
Stop waste your time talking foolishness. From cricket in the Kalinago Territory to the West Indies side?😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄. The dumbest comment of the year. You must be dumber that the DNO Clown, calked Lin Clown. So just imahine how stupid you sound.