For the first time in the history of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) both primary and secondary schools in West Berbice will be afforded tournaments, according to the body.
The competitions include the Caribbean Motors and Dhanpaul Sukhra sponsored Under-11 primary school tournament featuring 14 players in a 10-over tapeball fixture which bowls off next month.
Each primary school will be mandated to select four females in their 14-member squad with two featuring in the playing XI.
A female will also be required to bowl.
In order to be eligible players must be born on or after September 1, 2012.
Meanwhile, a five-team 30-over league for the secondary schools will also get underway.
This tournament will be sponsored by Latchman Construction and Landscaping Incorporated.
Eligible players must be born on or after September 1, 2004.
Attendance at school of over 75 percent is mandatory in order to participate.
The winners of both competitions will go on to play the champions from the other zones, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and Upper Corentyne to determine the overall Berbice champion.
The zone winners will also receive vouchers to purchase school supplies.
President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, accompanied by BCB Secretary, Angela Haniff, Selection Committee Chairman, Balram Samaroo, Competitions Committee Chairman, Leslie Solomon, West Berbice Cricket Association President, David Black and coach Shamal Angel, met with the teachers to discuss the plans.
“You have the opportunity to assist us to unearth new cricketing talents to continue the legacy of [Rohan] Kanhai, [Basil] Butcher, [Joe] Soloman, [Roy] Fredericks and [Alvin] Kallicharran,” said Foster. “Berbice is known across the world for producing outstanding cricketers and we owe it to the next generation to continue the tradition. The BCB, under my leadership is fully committed to lifting our cricket to its highest ever level and it would be our privilege to work with you in this noble quest,” Foster told the teachers.
Foster informed the teachers that the BCB will also provide copies of its historic coaching manual and youth information booklet to the schools to assist them to properly prepare their students for the tournaments.
The selection committee under the chairmanship of Samaroo, a former national junior cricketer along with the BCB coaches working in Region 5 will select 24-member squads for both levels.
A panel of coaches will work along with the players selected over the course of two days to assist with their development.
