Sonia Davidson, vice-president corporate communications, Supreme Ventures Limited, shakes hands with Courtney Walsh as she hands over her company's sponsorship cheque for the Supreme Ventures/Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinics, at the launch at Ken's Wildflower, Portmore, on Saturday. The municipality's Mayor Keith Hinds (second right), looks on along with participants Derron Miller (left), Kevon Thomas (third left) and Malcolm White. - Contributed
Former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh, the former record holder for the most wickets in Tests, is hoping to impart much of the knowledge and skills gained during his career to youngsters participating in the Supreme Ventures/Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinics.
"I will continue to ensure that the knowledge that I have gained over the years, while participating in world class cricket, is passed on to these youngsters," said Walsh at the official launch of the Portmore clinic, at Ken's Wildflower, on Saturday.
Walsh thanked Supreme Ventures for once again believing in his dream. He declared that he had always wanted to assist youngsters to develop their skills in the sport that he so dearly loves, and pointed out that over the last two years, the Jamaica Cricket Association has selected eight youngsters, who had participated in the clinics, for national duty.
The clinic, which is in its third consecutive year, has attracted a sponsorship of $7.53 million from SVL. The sponsorship covers a full nutrition programme, gear, equipment, rental of grounds, fees for coaches, cricket instruction books, accommodation and travelling expenses.
"SVL continues to be proud to be the premier sponsor of the SVL/Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinics for the third year in a row," noted Sonia Davidson, SVL's vice-president, group corporate communications.
Hone and harness talent
"It is important for talent to be honed and harnessed at a young age while the interest is there, and the players can be trained in the proper techniques of the game," she added.
The clinics have already been held in five parishes this year - Kingston, St Andrew, Westmoreland, Hanover and St Thomas.
The first at Jamaica College saw the participation of 25 youngsters from various Corporate Area schools, followed by other clinics in Westmoreland, Hanover and St Thomas, where it continued to attract very talented youngsters.
For the first time since its inception, the programme will give parish status to the municipality of Portmore.
Keith Hinds, mayor of Portmore, declared his gratitude to Walsh and his team for their insight in having Portmore among this year's schedule and also to Supreme Ventures for its continued sponsorship of the programme.
"Portmore is a growing community that attracts families from all demographics and, no doubt, produces talented individuals," said Hinds.
The programme will consist of weekend camps. Three hundred youngsters will be exposed to the programme, first at the parish level, and 60 of the participants will be invited to the three-week-long county camps scheduled for this summer.