ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Tributes have continued to flow for Leeward Islands batsman Hayden Walsh who died here on Saturday.

The left-hander, who played 18 first-class matches between 1988 and 1993, passed away while at an outing with family members. He was 46.

Leading the tributes on Tuesday was Antigua’s Tourism Minister John Maginley who served alongside Walsh a decade ago as a member of the executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association.

“I knew Hayden very well. I played cricket against him and worked alongside him on the executive of the cricket association, and he was a great man,” said Maginley, who was addressing a gathering at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

“We have lost a very important son. He made a great contribution to the game, not by talking, but by doing. He worked hard and loved what he did.

“He always made time for young cricketers and it was always a joy to go and see him working with 40 to 50 children.”

After his retirement, Walsh became recognised as one of the leading coaches in the Leeward Islands and established the Hayden Walsh Cricket Academy for children on the island.

Players like Devon Thomas, Orlando Peters and his own son Hayden Walsh Jr were products of the academy.

Gregory Shillingford, president of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association and a West Indies Cricket Board director, also praised the work done by Walsh.

“Hayden will be missed. He did a great job with the Academy. He was a wonderful man and he was dedicated and passionate about his cricket. He always looked to see what he could do to improve the game,” Shillingford said.

Former West Indies pacer Kenny Benjamin, who played with Walsh in the Antigua and Leewards teams, said the game had lost a true servant, someone who was willing and able to make a change.

Sylvester Joseph, the former Leewards skipper and West Indies batsman, was coached by Walsh at the Under-19 and senior levels for Antigua, and said the news of his death had come as a shock.