The ultimate role model
Hilbert Foster
Hilbert Foster

A father figure to many

THE Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS; the President of the Berbice Cricket Board; recipient of the Medal of Service and Director of Cricket West Indies- these are all titles worn proudly by Hilbert Gardiner Foster. These titles were possible due to his hard work, dedication and perseverance, but he also holds the proud title of father and father-figure to many.

But sharing his experience growing up in a single-parent household, Hilbert admitted that he had no idea how to be a father, because of the lack of having father-figures in his life.

Influential father figure and cricket administrator, Hilbert Foster

Yet, he recalls fond memories of growing up with his brothers, Keith and Alex, grandmother and his strict and disciplinary mother. They grew up selling cakes baked by their mother and grandmother. Nevertheless, he admitted that he was scared to ever become a father when he was much younger, but that did not deter him because many can give testimonies on how influential and inspiring this father figure is to them today.

Growing up, his single-parent mother instilled a strong Catholic belief system within her three sons. Hilbert, his brother Alex and a host of other youngsters from the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church re-founded the church’s youth group in 1986. They promoted Catholicism through community service during their time in the youth group. The youth club subsequently received the Commonwealth Youth Service Award in 1992. Birthed out of a similar vision of the youth group was the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC ) in September 1990. The sports club was formed with the main objective to foster youth development through sports, mainly cricket. Many would call the RHTYSC the second child of Hilbert.

Hilbert Foster with his wife; Saintalene and daughter; Marissa

Foster is happily married to Saintalene Chinsammy-Foster. The pair has been married for 24 years and has one daughter; Marissa. When the Pepperpot Magazine asked his daughter which one of her father’s accomplishments she’s most proud of for Father’s Day, she responded by saying: “Biologically, I am an only child, but throughout my life, my father had taken so many youths under his wings. Many youths look up to him as a positive role model and father- figure. He has inspired so many young people to live up to their true potential through his work. So, I guess it’s safe to say that I have hundreds of ‘inspired siblings’ across the country, because of who my father is—I am beyond proud of him for that.”
His club facilitates a boastful number of 700 projects per year. Some of which include: annual Christmas village and party, summer Camp for new high school students, summer cricket academy, tributes to retired teachers/heroes programme, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day luncheons, say no-say yes campaigns—just to name a few.

Hilbert Foster alongside some of the national and international cricketers, all of whom were positively influenced by him

In 2011, Hilbert received the National Sports Personality award, the club received the Medal of Service in 2016 and Foster himself also received the Medal of Service in 2019. Under his leadership, the club also managed to produce over 100 high-ranking national and international cricketers. All of these sportsmen and women can attest to the influential role Hilbert has played in their lives through the use of sports. Assad Fudadin, Shemaine Campbelle, Royston Crandon, Esaun Crandon, Erva Giddings—among many others.

A true mentor
Simon Naidu is a young upcoming sports administrator. He considers and even calls Hilbert his father. Simon comes from a family of six siblings and his father died when he was much younger. Hilbert became his life’s mentor and with his help, Simon is now a part of the Berbice and Guyana Cricket Boards. “When I didn’t have clothes to wear or money to buy things, Mr. Foster always took care of me and he changed my life completely. I don’t know where I would’ve been in life if I didn’t meet him in 2014”, said Simon.

From left; Denica Henry, Marissa Foster, Hilbert Foster and Simon Naidu

Johnathon Rampersaud is a national under-19 cricketer, he owes most of his success to Hilbert’s guidance and wanted to share that, “On and off the cricket field, he played an outstanding role in my life by giving me great advice as well as, by supporting me and showing me love. In many instances when the odds were against me, there was only one [person] looking up to me offering a word of support that tomorrow will be a better day,” he said.
When he is not acting in the role of the president of the Berbice Cricket Board or CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth Sports Club, Hilbert could be found listening to classic oldies, watching a history/crime documentary or spending quality time with his family. He is described as a man of many titles, but his greatest accomplishment will always be his family and the results of his influence on the lives of others. For the future, Hilbert expressed that he would like to leave his legacy behind for others to follow. He has been a household name in Berbice and ultimately Guyana for quite some time now and he hopes that he can god-willingly continue his work to better the lives of Guyana’s youth.

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