THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Sunday launched the Dr Tulsi Dyal coaching programme for youths in Berbice by hosting a wicket-keeping clinic.

Twenty wicketkeepers drawn from the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels attended the clinic, which was held at the Albion Community Centre.

Senior Level Three coach Winston Smith conducted the seminar with assistance from Pre-Level One coaches, Neil Rudder and Winston Rose. Among the participants were Berbice Under-19 ’keeper Junior Sinclair, Guyana Under-19 female ’keeper Uma Matadin and Berbice Under-17 ’keeper Kevin Sewraj.

The extended coaching clinic included both classroom work and practical on the field.

The young wicketkeepers were taught about equipment, the crouch position, glove work, footwork and concentration. Special emphasis was also placed on physical fitness, speed and agility.

“A lot of practical work was done on how to keep to the difference types of spinners, fast bowling and how to take a return from the outfield.

Smith, who is spearheading the Berbice Cricket Board outreach coaching programmes, urged the young wicketkeepers to work hard on their personal game and to put into practice what they have learnt from the clinic,” a release from the BCB said.

He spoke at length on the importance of physical fitness for wicketkeepers as they are always involved in the game. Wicketkeepers, he stated, have to have good eyes, fast legs and reflection, along with strong concentration. While other fielders might have periods of relaxation, wicketkeepers are always involved in the game.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, in a short presentation to the young cricketers, stated that attendance at all clinics organised by the Board shall be compulsory for those aiming to represent Berbice.

He stated that for the first time in its 79-year history, the BCB would be investing heavily into countywide coaching programmes and those who fail to take advantage of it would be left behind.

He urged clubs to place special emphasis on developing wicketkeepers as there is a shortage of good gloves-men around the county. The Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh coaching programme, he stated, is a half-million investment into making sure that every cricketing potential is fulfilled and that Berbice continues to dominate junior cricket at the Inter-county level.

Other clinics will be held for fast bowlers, batsmen, left-arm spinners, off-spinners and leg-spinners and the BCB intends to have players like Devendra Bishoo, Romario Shepherd and Veerasammy Permaul involved.

The Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh programme would also involve the hosting of four two-day cricket coaching sessions in each of the Zones – West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. A total of 280 youths between ages 12 and 19 years are expected to participate in the sessions.

The BCB, at the end of the four sessions, would select the best 70 players to participate in one-week cricket academy from July 23 to 28 at the Albion Sports Complex.

The BCB would like to express gratitude to Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh for his continued support of Berbice Cricket.