WICB to provide funding for club development

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Regional governing body for cricket, the WICB, says it will pour US$360 000 into club cricket throughout the region over the next two years, in a major show of support for the game at the foundation level.

Described as the Grassroots Cricket Support Facility, the WICB will make US$90,000 available in four phases, with clubs and organised cricket groups able to apply for grants of up to US$5,000.

The WICB said the financing was being provided to aid clubs in their infrastructure development, training programmes and in the buying of gear and equipment.

"This is one of the most important initiatives the WICB will undertake to help strengthen cricket at the grassroots level," WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire explained.

"We are focusing on the clubs throughout the region who have expressed how difficult it is to organise and sustain cricket, and we are lending a hand in a tangible way.

"West Indies cricket needs club cricket to be strong, and we need to assist and give meaningful support."

The first phase for grants will run from March to June, with the second going from July to December. The third phase will open February next year and run until June, with the final period stretching from July to December, 2012 .

Hilaire said it was important the WICB build strong relationships with regional clubs, pointing out they were the actual nurseries for international players.

Partnerships

"We want to have partnerships with clubs all across the region because these are where West Indies players come from, and we have to not only recognise that, but demonstrate to the clubs that the WICB is serious about assisting them as they execute their programmes and activities; which benefit all of West Indies cricket," Hilaire stressed.

The move represents the second time in as many months the WICB has made a ground-breaking financial investment in cricket development.

Only last month, they took the unprecedented move of offering six of its women's players central retainer contracts.