THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in its continuing effort to ensure that every potential is fulfilled on the cricket field has launched its fourth annual Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh countywide coaching programme.
The programme, which is expected to benefit over 700 youths, has been sponsored by long-time BCB sponsor and overseas-based Guyanese Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh. The 2021 edition was launched last Tuesday with dozens of players from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS at the Area H Ground.
Level Three coach Winston Smith is the head coach for the programme and he is expected to visit over 22 clubs to work with youths. BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the programme has been very successful in the past as it has enabled the board to identify new players for the future.

Over the last three years, over 1 000 junior cricketers have been involved in the coaching programme and have emerged better players for their home clubs and the county.
The first three clubs that benefitted during the first week of the 2021 edition were RHTYSC, Port Mourant and Albion. Female cricketers from Rose Hall Metro were also involved in a special session with Smith.
Special emphasis was placed on batting, bowling, fielding and physical fitness in the intense four-hour sessions at the respective grounds.
Among the other clubs that would benefit from regular sessions are Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Guymine, East Bank Blazers, Rama Krishna Foundation, Edinburgh, Kendall Union, Blairmont, Cotton Tree, Bath, Achievers, Mt Sinai, Bush Lot United and No. 73 Young Warriors.

Foster also stated that two mini cricket academies would be held in the West Berbice and Upper Corentyne areas before the countywide Cricket Academy is held in August for the county’s top 70 youth players.
The academy would be held at the Albion ground for seven days and would be conducted by a panel of five coaches headed by Smith. The BCB has invested over $400 000 in cricket gear and coaching equipment to make sure that all of the programme’s objectives are achieved.
The BCB boss also disclosed that his board would continue to invest heavily in educational materials like posters and its popular Youth

Information Booklet to support the on-field coaching sessions while numerous players would benefit from donation of personal cricket gear as part of a comprehensive development programme for Berbice Youth players.
Over 300 Youth cricketers are scheduled to receive donations of gear, bicycles, school materials and uniforms for 2021 from the BCB. Additionally, the very pro active board would be organising cricket tournaments at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Under-23 and female levels to make sure that the players have opportunities to showcase their talents.