- JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamaica Under-15 captain, Andre Creary (second right) and vice-captain Courtney Allen (left) hold the CLICO Under-15 Trophy, while Jamaica Cricket Association chief operations officer, Brian Breese and Pepsi's marketing director, John Burrows, look on during a presentation ceremony at Pepsi Cola Jamaica Ltd. yesterday.
Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
ON THE back of Jamaica's championship performance in the CLICO Under-15 regional one-day tournament earlier this week, Pepsi-Cola Jamaica Ltd. have agreed to sponsor this year's edition of the George Headley Centre for Excellence programme.
The programme started last year and entails a three-week residential camp at the G.C. Foster College, beginning in July and involving 30 young cricketers (Under-19).
Pepsi, through its brand Gatorade and the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, will provide nutrition and hydration during the camp, along with what they have called a significant financial boost.
The announcement came during a presentation to the cricketers by the beverage giants at Pepsi's conference room, at its Spanish Town Road production plant.
At the end of the programme, the player who shows the best technical remediation, physical ability and tactical awareness will receive a ticket to the semi-finals of next year's Cricket World Cup.
CRITICAL PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT
According to the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) coaching director, Phillip Service, the sponsorship will aid with the development of the Under-15s during a critical period of development that doesn't receive enough attention.
"Currently we have the Under-15s and we have the Under-15 tournament. The only other developmental tournament at the West Indies Cricket Board level is at the Under-19s and we feel that that is too long a gap.
"Since we don't prepare Under-17 teams, what we want to do is develop an Under-17 programme. So we have the George Headley Centre for Excellence where we develop youngsters of this age group and try to fine-tune their preparation," said Service.
"What you will find is that this programme will one; provide an avenue to get these youngsters at Under-15 into some practice; and provide for those late bloomers between Under-15 and 19," Service added.
Pepsi's marketing director, John Burrows, in his speech to the surprisingly large gathering at Pepsi, was in agreement with Service's sentiments.
"This is in an area of activity that I think is fulfilling a very important need. It is the bridge between the Under-15s and Under-19s and this is critically important because, having achieved great things over the years at Under-15, a lot of people have fallen out because there was no programme to bridge this gap, which is four long years," said Burrows.
PLAYERS URGED TO STAY FOCUSED
The JCA chief operations officer, Brian Breese, thanked Pepsi for the sponsorship, but also took the time out to ask that the Under-15 players, who were in attendance, to receive small trophies provided by Pepsi along with a tour of the facilities, to ensure that they stay focused and not take success for granted.
"It's been a momentous last two weeks since we said goodbye to the team and we thank Pepsi for sponsoring the team. This team has captured the imagination of Jamaica right through and the successes have come at a time when successes are necessary in our cricket," said Breese.
"Stay focused. Make sure that the Caps that you wore this year can fit you next year. Make sure that the heads don't get too large. This is one of the problems that we have in our cricket, when you taste success it goes straight to the head and you don't keep a very steady head on your shoulders," added Breese.
Breese also expressed the hope that the Under-15 victory will serve to give a boost to their senior counterparts.
