AS PART of their Personal Development Programme (PDP) for its young players, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Friday hosted a one-day seminar at the St Francis Training Centre, which attracted 60 young players drawn from clubs across Berbice and was sponsored by Vickram Seubarran of Universal DVD Club.In declaring the event open, BCB president Keith Foster said his board was committed to the development of every junior Berbice player on and off the field, disclosing that they must be ambassadors of the Ancient County’s rich tradition of discipline, success and commitment, urging them to not only become better players but also to place emphasis on developing social skills and acquiring a solid education.
Chairman of the BCB 75th Anniversary Celebrations Committee and Special Events Committee, Hilbert Foster, whose brainchild it was to host the seminar, said similar programmes would be held regularly as the BCB strives to develop each of its players on an individual basis.
He challenged the players including West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer and members of the Berbice Under-15 team, to take advantage of the BCB investment in their careers.
The one-day seminar comprised lectures on a wide range of topics such as the structure of Berbice cricket, Berbice cricket records, the Importance of Religion, Drug Abuse, Captaincy, Physical Fitness, Public Speaking, Public Manners, Social Skills, Peer Pressure, Field Placement, Mental Toughness, Role of a Sports Ambassador, Importance of Discipline, Personal Hygiene, Importance of Education and Umpire Signals.
The experienced lecturers included Hilbert Foster, Roman Catholic Priest Ramesh Vanan, Guysuco Human Resources Manager Vemen Walter, BCB second vice-president Hubern Evans, Administrator Alisa Moonsee, Cricket coach Michael Hyles and Educator D. Somwaru who is also an umpire.
The young players were also involved in a practical session of table etiquette under the supervision of Levi Nedd of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Training Centre and also a National volleyball coach.
Walter, who served as manager of the Berbice Under-15 team, during his remarks lauded the BCB for regularly seeking to develop the social skills of its players, while Evans and Hyles spent considerable time discussing the importance of mental toughness for cricketers if they are to fulfil their full potentials.
The attendees also included Under-17 and 19 players including Grisean Grant, Erica Lashley, Ashkay Homraj, Leon Andrews, David Latchya, Kelvon Anderson, Adrian Sukhwa, Kris Ramnarine, Brandon Prasad, Sharaz Ramcharran and Kassim Khan.
The participants expressed gratitude and stated that they had learnt a great lot and were in a better position to be ambassadors of Berbice cricket, even as they also expressed gratitude to Universal DVD for sponsoring the event.