Four of the five Guyanese participants who recently returned from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) sponsored Tutor/Assessor course held at the University of Technology (UTech) in Jamaica, said that once in effect the course will revamp, strengthen and standardize the foundation of cricket in Guyana and across the Caribbean.
The course, which commenced on the October 14 and ended on the 19, was aimed at empowering Level 2 Coaches and developmental personnel with adequate knowledge which will be used to educate others who are in one way or the other responsible for the development of cricket.
The five Guyanese nominated by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) were Esaun Crandon, Rayon Griffith, Julian Moore, Colin Stuart and Reon King. Stabroek Sport caught up with four of the nominees yesterday and they spoke about the experience of the course and its aim.
Current GCB Territorial Development Officer (TDO), Stuart, who played six test matches for the West Indies, said that the course is directed towards targeting the fundamentals surrounding cricket development and will focus on schools with children grouped at the primary level.
It will also see Level 2 coaches being trained to teach the Level 1 and Foundation courses.
He noted that as tutors, they can now undertake the task of educating teachers who will be more familiar with the various aspects of moulding the students. Stuart also stated that despite any basic knowledge of cricket, the youngsters will be taught according to their level of understanding and therefore will not be fed more than they can take.
King, who played 19 test matches for the West Indies, said that demonstration will be a key aspect to this course, whereas the assessors can “teach coaches how to coach,” by virtue of various outlined guidelines which will take effect in the near future.
He explained that during the time spent in Jamaica persons were exposed to various lectures from prominent professors and doctors who taught lessons on how to learn and how to teach. This, he said, was a step in the right direction for the WICB and the Caribbean who will relish the opportunities to re-develop cricket from the root level.
Current Chairman of the National Selectors, Griffith reinforced the notion that the WICB, in partnership with the various countries across the Caribbean and the University, was indeed “Moving forward in the right direction.”
Griffith admitted that the course was very well facilitated and very beneficial for its attendees, who were reinforced with knowledge of cricket development, something he said will be useful in the efforts to edify more coaches and teachers who are responsible for the upbringing of these youngsters who will one day represent the Caribbean as ambassador for the sport.
Crandon, Coach of the National team and a former Guyana all-rounder in his own right, said that the course was enlightening and touched on various attributes of good coaching values. The all-rounder noted that some standout topics were child protection which was facilitated by representatives of UNICEF, who taught coaches the importance of how to physically handle a child, with regards to touching, being alone in enclosed quarters among other guidelines.
This, he stated, was important for all coaches, adding that once the course has officially commenced, it will produce a higher standard and better coaches for Guyana and the rest of the West Indies.
Apart from the Guyanese delegates involved, approximately 30 coaches from an estimated 16 Islands across the length and breadth of the Caribbean were a part of the course.
