Taylor endorses Kiddy Cricket

WEST Indies women's cricketer Stafanie Taylor has lauded the Scotiabank/West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Kiddy Cricket for its contribution to the development of the sport in Jamaica.

"I think that the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme is something good. It's very beneficial to the youngster coming up. At this age you can't really pinpoint and say they will be the future but at least they are going into the right direction," the right-handed batter said after the conclusion of the 2015 edition at Sabina Park recently.

"The programme teaches these young boys and girls how to play the game of cricket. It also develops a solid foundation for learning basic skills such as batting, bowling, fielding, catching and keeping the wickets. And with Scotiabank, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) being able to do this, I believe this is the right approach in developing the cricket in Jamaica," added Taylor.

The 23-year-old Taylor, who played her first One-Day International (ODI) for West Indies in June 2008, said she was impressed by the level of skill demonstrated by the youngsters.

"At this point in time, it is more fun and when I look out there watching the youngsters playing I see that they are enjoying themselves, and at their age they are demonstrating good skills. I am always working with Scotiabank and they have now laid the platform for these youngsters' development. They [students] have some good coaches working with them and I think that they will develop well," Taylor told the Jamaica Observer.

Taylor then sent out an appeal for more sponsors to get on board and assist with the development of local cricket.

"The Kiddy Programme is definitely the way to go, as to develop the sport from the grassroots level I am very happy for it. But I would love for more sponsors to come on board with the WICB and JCA and put on more local cricket tournaments at this age group," she said.

jamaicaobserver.com