Kingston Wharves boss hails new-look U-15 competition

Chief executive officer of Kingston Wharves, Grantley Stephenson, says his company is more than happy, and proud, to renew its sponsorship of this year's Jamaica Cricket Association-organised Kingston Wharves Under-15 competition.

The competition, which is being staged for the 22nd time, caters to most of the country's most talented Under-15 players, many of whom go on to national representation, and according to Stephenson, his company was more than pleased with its staging.

"It (the competition) continues to achieve a number of objectives, including the further development of cricket skills, instilling discipline, strengthening concentration and fostering sportsmanship," said Stephenson at yesterday's launch of the competition at Elletson Road Police Station Sports Club.

"To this end, it gives us joy to be associated, and it is our intention to remain involved in years to come," he added.

The competition, which got under way yesterday and is scheduled to end on August 12 at Sabina Park, will for the first time be held using a parish format.

Under the new format, parish champions will emerge, and not county winners. Matches will be played on a 50-over per side basis.

A total of 14 parishes, plus Portmore and a combined team called Kingston and St Andrew, will take part in the competition, with each team playing six preliminary-round matches, and the top four overall advancing to the semi-finals and final.

The competition will also see a return of its annual skills-training camp after a one-year absence.

The camp, which will be held between August 19 and 21, will host the competition's top 30 cricketers, and in addition to cricket skills, the campers will focus on the history of cricket, personal etiquette and media training, among other skills.