Cayman Cricket, the re-branded and incorporated non-profit company which has replaced the Cayman Islands Cricket Association as the governing body for cricket in the Cayman Islands, hit the refresh button at its annual general meeting (AGM) held at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on 15 December.
President Abali Hoilett, who completed his first year in office, was re-elected to chair the Board of Directors. Also returned were Treasurer Robert Cox and Secretary Sheila Rankine. They were joined on the Board by former long-serving executive member Hector Robinson who, after a four year break, was elected as Vice-President, as well as new Board members Ricky Sealy, Jalon Linton, Dave Holness, Ricardo Roach and Ramdeo ‘Bruce’ Jalim.
The AGM and board elections were another in a series of recent events which have signalled renewed interest in stimulating a revival of cricket in the Cayman Islands. They followed the well-attended awards ceremony in November, which featured West Indies Cricket Board President Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron as special guest speaker, and a town hall style public forum held shortly before the AGM.
President Hoilett, in his report to the AGM, pointed to the significant challenges which currently face the sport in the Cayman Islands. Among them are the disappointing international performances of the national senior men’s team, reduced participation in the sport at the youth level, and the dramatic reduction in funding for Cayman Cricket from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The President highlighted youth development, increased fund raising, better communication and greater accountability as keys to the revitalisation of cricket in the Cayman Islands. Coming on the back of the recent public forum, the President announced a five-year youth development programme, the key features of which are improved organisation, increased coaching support and better communication with the schools and parents. The aim, according to President Hoilett, is to stimulate increased participation by both girls and boys at all age levels which, ultimately, will provide the impetus for improved senior performances and the increased ICC funding which usually follows.
Technical Director Theo Cuffy who is an unelected member of the Board will retire at the end of June this year after serving Cayman Cricket for 20 years. The Board has announced that it will at a later date announce plans for a suitable recognition of Coach Cuffy’s significant contribution to the development of cricket in the Cayman Islands.