SVL, Walsh team up again for cricket clinics

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

His days of terrorising opposing batsmen now long behind him, former West Indian cricketing great Courtney Walsh is now spending more of his time moulding the future of regional cricket, through his 14-leg Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL)/Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinics and Camps, which will begin on April 3 at the Heartease Ground in St Thomas.

This will be the fifth renewal of the series of clinics that caters to Under-15 players right across the island and also marks the fifth time that SVL will be providing the financial muscle to drive the project. The gaming company will this time lend its support through a $7 million contribution that will cover, field rental, nutrition, literature, gears, accommodation and travelling expenses among others.

Since its inception, SVL has actually contributed in excess of $30 million towards the clinics, which have seen some 1400 young cricketers participating over its four stagings.

Walsh, a former Test cricket wicket taking record holder, will be supported by experienced administrators Brian Breese and Simon Jackson in terms of the event's coordination, while former West Indies opening batsman and Jamaican captain Robert Samuels will lead the panel of national and parish coaches who will be guiding the 350 youngsters from all 14 parishes.

Walsh, who also expressed a desire to create a synergy between his camp and the West Indies Cricket Board's High Performance Centre in Barbados, was extremely grateful for the support he has been receiving from SVL

"We have grown from strength to strength and we couldn't have done it without the sponsors; it's a very good partnership," said Walsh. "We have touched the lives of many kids, we are getting better in every area and this is something that is helping cricket in Jamaica and the West Indies in the long run."

Proud of the involvement

Andrei Roper, senior marketing officer of Supreme Ventures Limited, was proud of his company's involvement with the project.

"SVL continues to be proud of our partnership with one of the most organised and sought after cricket clinics locally. This is an excellent initiative by Courtney Walsh and all the coaches involved," Roper said. "Its always important to reinforce the fundamentals of the game and the clinic has been very successful in doing so and in feeding players into the Under-15 and under-19 programmes."

"Supreme Ventures Limited is proud to be associated with it. This is our 10th anniversary and, throughout that 10 years, we have tried our best to show our commitment to youth development and, in particular, youth development through sports," Roper continued.

The camp will be staged at 14 locations across the island, after which the best 75 young cricketers will be selected for a two-week training camp, one in each county. Coaches will be focusing on the fundamentals of the game but will also feature several historical lessons on the game and the West Indian legacy as well as social and professional exercises.