Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.
Port of Spain, Trinidad - Young cricketers, Iraq Thomas and Camillo Carimbocas were named the 2015 recipients of the Atlantic/Kieron Pollard Scholarship and will be headed to play club cricket in the UK.
The scholarship, established by Atlantic Sports Ambassador and cricketer Kieron Pollard in partnership with Atlantic, provides the two cricketers a developmental opportunity to play cricket in the United Kingdom for a two-month period during the summer vacation. The grant covers airfare to and from the UK, accommodation, necessary kit and equipment, and also provides the recipients with a daily stipend.
Pollard said that providing opportunities for the development of young cricketers is very important to him.
“It is a good feeling for me personally, to be able to do something like this to give back to the youngsters. When I was younger I didn’t have this kind of opportunity and playing cricket abroad will allow these cricketers a chance to see the world, to be treated as professionals and improve their overall ability,†he explained.
Atlantic’s Branding and Communications Manager, Derek Daniel said Atlantic was happy to support the annual scholarship programme, because it is aligned to Atlantic’s investment in sports.
“We support cricket through our sponsorship of the National Primary Schools Cricket League to provide young players with the basics of the game, as well as to aid their holistic development. The Atlantic/Kieron Pollard Scholarship goes a step further and gives experienced cricketers a rich opportunity to improve their talent and skills at a more senior level of the game. Through this once in a lifetime opportunity they will also learn life skills that will help them become more independent adultsâ€.
Atlantic Sports Ambassador and cricketer Kieron Pollard, centre, with the winners of the 2015 Atlantic-Kieron Pollard Scholarship, Camillo Carimbocas, left, and Iraq Thomas.
Thomas, 22, began playing cricket at age six and has been a member of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club for the past four years. He said he is very grateful for the opportunity.
“I am really thankful for the opportunity to be able to focus on developing my talent and I want to make the best of it. I have a few weaknesses and I will be working on improving them and becoming a better player,†he said.
Fellow scholarship recipient, and club member, Camillo Carimbocus, 19, who has also played on the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 and U-19 teams with much success, said he feels proud of himself and is looking forward to personal development.
“I want to improve my level of confidence because I feel it affects the way I play. I also think this trip will help with my development as a young man,†he expressed.
Coach and member of the scholarship’s selection panel, David Furlonge, explained that commitment to the game is a key quality they look for in players, during the selection process.
“Both players are exceptional. They display great discipline and passion but most of all a willingness to learn. This experience will help them both develop the way they playâ€, he commented.
Pollard started this scholarship programme in 2012, at which time, only one cricketer was awarded the scholarship. West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 all-rounder, Akeal Hosein was the inaugural recipient of the grant, while Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 wicketkeeper, Savion Lara, received the award the following year. In 2013, Atlantic partnered with Pollard to expand the scholarship, which now allows for two young cricketers to experience playing English county cricket. The first recipients of this expanded award were Tion Webster and Vikash Mohan, who delivered impressive performances at Purley and Barnes cricket clubs respectively.
