newsday.co.tt
After 10 years of inactivity, the Santa Cruz Sports Association reignited its youth development programme by launching the “Darren Bravo Youth Cricket Academy†at the Brian Lara Recreation Grounds, Sam Boucaud Road, Santa Cruz, yesterday.
Over 50 youthful cricket enthusiasts came out on the opening day to register and take part in the first two-hour session. They were kept and tutored under the watchful eyes of several coaches from within the close-knit community and will resume the programme’s second segment from 9am this morning.
This special clinic will run until July 26 with 10 sessions being held during the month of May and eight each for June and July respectively.
Speaking to veteran member and general secretary of the Santa Cruz Sports Association, Archibald Prime, yesterday, he revealed that the Academy is the first of many stepping stones towards reigniting a competitive fire within the cricket-oriented community.
According to Prime, the Academy has been formed due to a specific strategic plan that was set by committee members almost two years ago. The Santa Cruz Sports Academy was formed in the mid-1980’s and was made up of at that time, several past national cricketers together with other top players from the Santa Cruz area. Under the club’s founding members such as Theodore Guerra, Henry Nicholas, Lenn Bravo and Frankie Patterdeen, the north-based club quickly rose out of the local second division ranks and began to play Championship cricket. “At that time, we had about sixty youngsters which included a young Darren and Dwayne Bravo. We also produced several other players who went on to play top level cricket in Trinidad. After some years of dormancy, we were then demoted back down to North Division II.
We then began preparing a three-year strategic plan. Within one year, we went back into Championship division competing. And following this, we wanted to reformulate the youth academy.
It was thought that we should brand the youth academy from one of our own who has risen to the top ranks internationally. This is why we have chosen Darren Bravo. This will also offer the youths some inspiration, that when they come to play, they will always remember our motto — Discipline Breeds Success,†he said.
Prime made clear that the Youth Academy’s aim is to develop the youth sport-wise and in life skills. When this edition of the camp closes, organisers are optimistic of hosting another before year’s end, since their ultimate objective is to have two camps annually.
Prime also hailed the recent installation of floodlights around the Brian Lara Recreation Ground and declared that they will be utilised to the fullest capacity.
