Within the last decade or so, when people in the cricket world thought of Essequibo it was usually associated with the lesser of the three counties in terms of dominance.
However, in just about three years, one man has come to change the fortunes of the Cinderella County. That man is their coach, Ryan Hercules.
A true son of the soil, Ryan Robert Hercules was born December 30, 1987 on the East Bank of Essequibo to Gladwin Hercules, a Police Officer for over three decades and Ester Hercules.
The young lad at the age of 11, whilst attending the Parika Primary School started taking cricket seriously when he was enrolled in the Malteenoes Cricket Academy by his parents.
He did one month of training on and off the field during the summer and immediately fell in love with the game.
Hercules joined the Parika Salem Sports Club immediately after and has been a member ever since, even throughout his High School days at Leonora Secondary.
The all-rounder showed promise as a youngster and was drafted into the Essequibo side where he represented the county at all levels (Under-15, 17, 19 and senior).
Hercules was also an outspoken player on and off the field, leading to his appointment as captain of the East Bank Essequibo zone.
After an outstanding season of cricket, Hercules was called up to the national U15 side and took part in the Regional tournament back in 2003 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Since then he has been a mainstay in representative Essequibo sides, coming through the ranks including the national Under-19 side in 2005 and 2006 where he shared the dressing room with the likes of Gajanand Singh, Richard Ramdeen, Guyana’s current national captain, Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul and company.
In 2005, Guyana’s U19 side reached the finals of both the One-Day and Three-Day tournaments where Hercules excelled.
He picked up 3-16 against the Leeward Islands in the One-Dayers and 3-30 against Trinidad and Tobago in the Three-Day competition.
That season, Hercules competed against the likes of Sunil Narine, Keiron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Andre McCarthy, Shamarh Brooks and others.
The following year he was adjudged the best fielder in the tournament and was also called to the training squad for the 2007 Stanford 20/20 competition.
The right-handed seamer continued to make his mark on the local scene, picking up 7-20 against Berbice, his best figures at the senior level as he transitioned from a teenager into his early 20s and earned a call up to the senior side in 2008 where he was a member of the team which toured Canada.
During that time, Hercules was given the opportunity to ply his trade in Trinidad and Tobago for Esmerelda Cricket Club to which he credits long-time friend and Chairman of Selectors, Rayon Griffith for giving him that chance.
The journey did not stop there, for the young man from the countryside departed Guyana for six seasons in England during 2009-2014.
In England, Hercules represented Barnsley in the Yorkshire League alongside the likes of Gary Balance.
He credits two seven-wicket hauls among his highlights before he moved on to play for Berwick in Melbourne, Australia along with Brad Hodge.
In his first season, he scored more runs than anyone (1,190) at an average of 38.39, and took the most wickets, 65, at a miserly 13.50.
The following is a quote from the Shadwell Cricket Club’s Handbook, 2010: “Ryan Hercules joined Shadwell Cricket Club for the 2009 season as our seventh overseas player. A good friend (and a team mate) of our former overseas player, Rayon Griffith, Ryan came highly recommended and did not disappoint! In 41 matches, he scored 1,190 runs (at an average of 38.39) and with the ball he was equally effective (taking 65 wickets at 13.50), showing some blistering pace. After having a fantastic time in 2009, Ryan has agreed to rejoin us in the season 2010.” At the end of the 2010 season Hercules had scored 1,090 runs at an average of 41, and had taken 75 wickets at 11.10.
He explained that he has gained a wealth of experience playing in different countries.
“I learnt to play on different pitches and this has helped me to improve a lot. I had to be at the top of my game throughout the season to be a regular member of the starting 11 because the competition for places in the team is high.”
Hercules duly decided that playing the sport was not enough for him, he wanted to expand his knowledge of the game and share it with the world and thus, he developed a love for coaching. He explained: “While I played in England I started to do coaching with kids from the clubs…I played with and found myself having a very good interest in teaching them and it just went from there.”
He returned to Esmeralda to coach a bit before coming back to his home and first club, Parika Salem and recently joining Police Sports Club.
“I started coaching because I was enjoying giving my knowledge to players and wanted to see them develop as individuals on and off the field,” he said.
Hercules quickly saw the rewards of his coaching as he was awarded to the post for the East Bank Essequibo team where he won three Busta titles before taking up the mantle of the Essequibo U19s as well as both senior teams, V-net Vipers and Scotiabank Kiddies Cricket.
To date, Hercules related that his most memorable playing days were in Australia and England but now nothing compares to the joy of becoming one of the crucial factors in swinging around the fortunes of Essequibo.
He now holds both the Guyana Cricket Board 50-overs Franchise League and three-day Franchise League titles.
But he refuses to stop there. Hercules stated that it is his goal to one day become coach of the Guyana youth team or the senior team and win a title with them.
He vows to…. “continue giving 110 percent and wave the flag high.”
The now 30-year-old, who has not given up on his playing days, said he is motivated by his parents, his sister, Dianna and fiancé, Shantell who has always supported him in whatever he chooses.
Hercules said he uses his life as an example for young people in the sport.
“My journey is a memorable one. It had ups and downs and it has shown me so much of new things and I have learnt a lot. People who were close become distanced because of success and accomplishments but I have no regrets and I think I’m on the right path to success. So for all those who feel because you are going through a rough time, just hold it out and success will be waiting for you,” he declared.
