-females included for the first time
The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Summer Camp opened yesterday with a massive turnout of over 90 participants inclusive of females for the first time.
Those participants are of all ages ranging from six to 16-years-old.
They will all be put through the fundamentals of cricket, both practical and theory, over the next two weeks.
At the opening ceremony, GCC President, Jonathan Yearwood charged the attendees with upkeeping a high standard of discipline and punctuality throughout the camp.
Jonathan Yearwood (4th from right) and GCC member Leon Johnson (2nd from right).
Those traits he said, are hallmarks of what it means to be involved with GCC.
Also present at the opening was GCC member and former Guyana and West Indies player Leon Johnson. While Johnson also went on to be one of the most successful captains of the Guyana National team, he told the gathering of youngsters that it was at the very Summer Camp, 24 years ago that he found love for the game and believed that he could go on to do bigger and better things in the sport of cricket.
Four coaches are tasked with taking the young participants through the Camp and instilling cricketing knowledge. Those coaches are the experienced Garvin Nedd, Orin Bailey, Sabrina Munroe and GCC Head Coach Peter Persaud.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport, Yearwood said that he was pleased with the tremendous turnout noting that it augurs well for the future talent pool in cricket.
While the number of participants that have turned out is already upwards of 90, Yearwood pointed out that the club is still accepting persons as the sponsorship for the Summer Camp can cover a larger number of children.
“For the first time we have a female coach. We want to encourage ladies to come and learn the game as well. It is no longer just a male game so we want young ladies to come and learn the aspects of cricket as well”.
Despite the weather being inconsistent in recent weeks, Yearwood is hopeful of the participants getting valuable time out on the field.
The camp which began yesterday will end on August 9.
