January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
U-15 Cricketers prepare for tour
Bermuda's under-15 squad is preparing for a trip to Trinidad and a packed year of international fixtures as the island continues to evolve into a top tier cricketing nation.
The youth cricketers are currently training three times a week ahead of their tour of Trinidad from March 31 until April 9.
The tour and training camp is part of a new joined-up coaching strategy to ensure the island's youth teams are learning the same principles as the national team, which will also visit Trinidad in April.
It is hoped that a national under-13 team can also be added as the scope of Bermuda's cricket development programmes widens with the influx of cash made available following qualification for the World Cup.
Grant Smith, head coach of the under-15s, said enthusiasm and ability had always been there at under-15 level. His side have won the biennial regional championship the last two times it has been held.
And they will defend their title once again this summer.
The likes of Jacobi Robinson and Rodney 'Picnic' Trott have been through the ranks and gone on to make the national team.
Current stars include all-rounder Jordan DeSilva, spin-bowler Tre Govia, pace bowler Greg Avery and Clay Darrell, son of current national team captain Clay Smith.
“We have about 40 boys in the programme right now. The saddest thing as a coach is that you have to leave some of them out.”
He said the enthusiasm at this age group was always there. It was at a later stage that other sports and other interests often took over.
He added that cricket was one sport that offered a real chance for Bermudian kids to the very highest level - compared with soccer or basketball where the chances of playing in a World Cup or in the NBA were relatively slim.
His current crop of players are too young for World Cup 2007 but as for the ICC Trophy in 2009 and the World Cup two years later, Smith thinks there are some who have a very good chance.
“I don't see why not. There's a few of them who have got the talent and the discipline to do it.”[[In-content Ad]]
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