Recently re-elected president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster has produced a “manifesto” on what he plans to deliver over the next two years.
Foster outlined 20 broad areas while going on to detail a series of commitments to clubs and sub-areas.
Among the commitments, the BCB boss proposed the hosting of 50 tournaments under strict COVID-19 regulations at every level from under-13 all the way up to First Division.
The manifesto highlighted a pledge to continue the already successful coaching programme and mini-academies as well as financial subventions to all sub-associations and fund-raising activities.
Under his leadership, Foster promised to give each national junior and female player from the county a $10,000 stipend. Youth cricketers will benefit from $20M in gear, uniforms, bicycles, educational materials and school bags while clubs will capitalize on over $10M in balls, stumps, scorebooks and gear.
By the end of 2023, Foster committed to ensuring “adequate pitch covers in the county to stop rain from affecting major matches.”
Foster, who is also a vice-president at the Guyana Cricket Board and a Director at Cricket West Indies vowed to have the county teams playing at home and providing equal opportunities to all youth cricketers.
A semi-professional league is also on the table for the 11 First-Division clubs while several visits from legends of the game are expected.
When it comes to individual sub-areas, Foster assured West Berbice of at least five tournaments per year, awards ceremonies, a dozen educational grants for youth players, balls, scorebooks, a developmental grant and a mini-academy for 40 youths.
In the New Amsterdam/Canje area, the BCB head pledged grass cutters for grounds and assistance for First-Division teams.
At least six tournaments will be hosted in Upper Corentyne and a development grant handed out while Berbice River communities will see a minimum of two tournaments being played.
At least eight tournaments will be set for Lower/Central Corentyne while one grassroot tournament per year and financial grants will be given to BCB members, Kildonan, Whim, Chesney, Police SC, Mt. Sinai, Guymine, Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant and Blairmont.
The newly elected Berbice Cricket Board executives are Foster (President), Dr. Cecil Beharry (Vice-President), Qualis Winter (Vice-President), Albert Smith (Vice-President), Angela Haniff (Secretary), Ameer Rahaman (Assistant Secretary), Rovin Bahadur (Treasurer) and Neil Rudder (Assistant Treasurer).
