St John’s, Antigua – The third application period for the West Indies Cricket Board Digicel Grassroots Grant Programme is now open to all clubs and cricket clusters across the Caribbean.
Twenty clubs from nine countries have already benefitted from the first two periods of the historic grant programme which was launched a year ago.
The US$360,000 grant programme is aimed at supporting club cricket across the Caribbean. Clubs and organized cricket groups (cricket clusters) can apply to the WICB for a grant of up to US$5000 each to aid in one of three areas:
1. Infrastructure development
2. Strengthen training programmes
3. Procurement of gears and equipment
“This grant programme is revitalizing and strengthening club cricket all across the Caribbean and the responses we have gotten from the beneficiary clubs have been overwhelming and tremendous,” commented WICB Project Officer for Grassroots cricket Fawwaz Baksh.
“The grants have allowed clubs to be able to procure cricket gear, mowers and covers for pitches; build sightscreens, playing and practice pitches; execute training programmes and a host of other critical development activities,” Baksh explained.
The first period ran from March to June 2011 and the second was executed from July to December 2011. The deadline for applications for the ongoing third period is February 6th.
The fourth period will be from July to December later this year.
Complete details of the programme, the application process and the selection criteria are available at windiescricket.com/grassroots and clubs and cricket groups from across the region are encouraged to apply.