Integration of regional youth players partially successful
CHIEF Executive Officer of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Pete Russell says that there is a possibly that the organisation may host a youth league next year.
Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport, the CEO says that they are seeing the benefits of having more youth cricketers represented on in the regional t20 tournament.

‘We are beginning to see some of it [regional youth cricketers in the senior teams]. If you take Jewel Andrews from Antigua, [Shaqkere] Parris from Trinidad, or young [Ashmead] Nedd as well, there are a lot of young players that have been in and around, that are beginning to make their mark. Do I think it has been a success? I think it’s partly been a success. I think the problem still is, teams look to more experienced players to play and they are slightly afraid of playing some of these younger players.”

He says CPL has recognised this and are seeking a remedy for future tournaments, adding, “We will change things up in the coming years, we have talked about a development tournament that could come on stream next year, that is going to be like a catalyst for young players to come through to CPL.”
Russell says the cost of travel and logistics remains the biggest challenge but it is something they planned for and this year, with the help of Caribbean Airlines, were able to properly execute the programme.

He says that over the past 11 years they have managed to create an operation that has worked and grown and while acknowledging that they are making a profit, he was coy about how well the brand is doing.
“Sizable is not really a word unfortunately I am use to, I think in terms of the business, it’s in a good place but our eco-system is not only about use, it’s about teams, so we have to give back to the teams to make sure they are sustainable as well and that to us is clearly vital.”