The current Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) is headed by former West Indies captain and coach, Roger Harper.
Harper, who also served as coach of Kenya’s national side, is looking to administrate cricket in Georgetown with similar poise and professionalism. That being said, it is a fact that the strength of a team lies in the sum of its parts, and with the support of the other GCA executives as well as from senior club members, the GCA hopes to progress step by step to, as their motto states “develop quality players capable of representing Georgetown, Demerara, and Guyana with distinction.”
In 1990/1991, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) debated altering its constitution to bring it in line with the county structure and, in August 1992, it enforced a new constitution with three affiliated members viz; Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.
Under the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) the East Bank Cricket Association, East Coast Cricket Board, West Demerara Cricket Board and Georgetown Cricket Associations were formed.
Since 1992 the GCA has been managing the welfare of clubs located in the capital city, which were initially only affiliated with the Guyana Cricket Board.
Vice President of the GCA, and former Guyana player Neil Barry recently sat down with Stabroek Sport and spoke of the GCA’s programmes and plans.
SS: What are some of the main GCA developmental programmes?
NB: Cricket skills, facilities development and administrative development.
SS: Could you briefly elaborate?
NB: The development of all-round cricket skills for cricketers of both genders such as batting, bowling, fielding, wicket keeping and captaincy is one of our main objectives. Improving the quality of pitches, ground facilities and net session management in partnership with member clubs and their staff, is another. We also need to have support administrative staff such as scorers, team managers and umpires through partnership with the various oversight bodies.
SS: Who do they benefit most?
NB: These programmes are geared to benefit all GCA member clubs, affiliates, cricketers at all levels including female cricketers
SS: What has the cooperation been like from individuals and clubs and how can this be improved?
NB: Thus far the response has been moderate as clubs try to come to terms with the effort needed to produce quality cricketers.
SS: What can be expected to take place as a result of the proper implementation of these programmes?
NB: A general improvement in the standard of play during the GCA competitions; improved skill levels and discipline and work ethic from the cricketers.
SS: What have been the results so far?
NB: Some improvement has been noticed thus far but still, a long way to go.
SS: Has it produced better players, coaches? Any worth mentioning?
NB: It’s a bit too early to quantify and specify. Most of the programmes are in the early stages but in a few years time that question will be easily answered
SS: Which club has benefited the most?
NB: The clubs that have benefited thus far from our outreach programme especially, are the Muslim Youth Organization and the Gandhi Youth Organization for they responded positively to programmes and have been very supportive.
SS: I notice that GCA has a television show and a website what have been the impact of the show and the website on promoting cricket in Georgetown?
NB: The programme has impacted positively across the country for many callers are from the rural areas especially Linden; however, in Georgetown, there is a lot of positive feedback especially from youth cricketers.
SS: Which features of the website make it most useful?
NB: The statistics of competitions currently being played.
SS: If the GCA were to prioritize, which aspect of development beckons the most attention, which would that be?
NB: Skill development of all cricketers male and female and areas such as pitch preparation and general facilities development.
SS: What is the ultimate goal of the current GCA?
NB: Our ultimate goal is our motto. The GCA will strive to attain that. Also, we would like to play our part in the improvement of cricket administration within Guyana.
SS: What are your upcoming plans for development, which may only now be in the budding stage, but worth mentioning?
NB: Developing the fitness levels of all GCA cricketers through the implementation of a fitness standard for all GCA players who must attain the specified level of fitness in order to be selected to GCA representative teams. Additionally, the improvement of our fast bowlers so that they can allow for a balanced attack to be selected and the development of our wicket keepers.
