Bridgetown, Barbados – Young promising cricket talent from primary schools across Barbados took centre stage for the fun International Interval Displays as part of the West Indies Cricket Board and Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme.
Over 70 Kiddy Cricket boys and girls took to the field to showcase their batting, fielding, catching and bowling skills which they have developed and fine tuned in the programme.
The featured schools from Barbados included: Ingantius Byer Primary, Boscobel Primary, St. Christopher Primary, Baleys Primary, St. Catherine Primary and West Terrace Primary.
The Kiddy Cricketers also played the part of Ball Boys and Girls for the 2nd day of the Digicel Test as they patrolled the boundary and retrieved balls for fours.
Commenting on this year’s Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme, Coordinator, Mr. Adrian King said: "The objective of the Kiddy Cricket Programme is very important for the future of cricket in Barbados but also the West Indies as a whole. Two recent success stories, Kemar Roach and Kraigg Brathwaite, started their foundation training and cricket development through the Kiddy Cricket programme and today have not only represented Barbados but their region on the West Indies Team.
"The Kiddy Cricket Programme had been and continues to be available and accessible to young cricketers who aspire to play for their country and the region. The Kiddy Cricketer participating in this year’s Interval Dipslay will definitely draw inspiration from their Caribbean and international cricketing heroes as they share the field with them," King added.
Scotiabank Barbados Assistant Manager – Marketing & Communications, Mrs. Marcelle Greenidge said, "Scotiabank is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of the WICB’s Kiddy Cricket Programme. We have seen the success of the programme over the 12 years and as an official sponsor we share in the vision of the WICB for the early development of cricketers at the foundation level."
"We at Scotiabank feel that a good balance between academics and cricket at this primary level is essential for the development of good cricketers, but more so good corporate citizens of the Caribbean. We are proud to be a part of the programme and support Kiddy Cricket as we head into the future," Mrs Greenidge added.
The Kiddy Cricketers will take to the field at the Kensington Oval once again on the Thursday 30th June.
In April 2011, the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme resumed in Barbados and is scheduled to deliver programme resources such as cricket kits and coaching from certified WICB coaches during the course of the year. A WICB Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Festival and Camp are scheduled to be held in Barbados later in the year.