Scotiabank launched a Kiddy Cricket programme for the seven primary schools in Anguilla on Monday this week as part of a regional undertaking.
The Bank’s Managing Director in Anguilla, Walter MacCalman, sent Andrew Niles, one of the Credit Officers, to Barbados recently to familiarise himself with the programme and to coordinate the arrangements for its introduction in Anguilla. The initiative was developed by Scotiabank in collaboration with the West Indies Cricket Board of Control.

Dr. Michael Seepersaud presents cricket gear to Mrs Josephine Hodge on behalf of Scotiabank

Monday’s launching of the Kiddy Cricket programme, at the Police Headquarters was attended by a teacher from of each of the schools, representatives of the Ministry and Department of Sports, the local Cricket Development Committee, Andrew Niles from Scotiabank, Chief Development and Marketing Officer with the West Indies Cricket Board, Dr. Michael Seepersaud and Hayden Walsh, a coach in Antigua.
Niles said there was a need for development and training of young people especially in the primary schools and that the Kiddy Cricket programme was a way to fulfill that need. He stated that he had spoken with the Education Officer for Primary Education, Josephine Hodge, who had indicated that there was already an inter-school competition, but which needed assistance.
“What we are proposing to do is to have an extension of that programme encompassing the whole Kiddy Cricket idea,” Niles said. “It is a fun way of developing young people through sports. There is also a Teachers’ Manual which is a curriculum-based project to complement what is already in existence in the schools.” He hoped that the programme would continue for a long time and eventually be extended to the under 15-age category.
Dr. Seepersaud, whose portfolio also includes the development of a Human Resource module for young cricket players, said the aim of Kiddy Cricket was to get cricket back into the school system and his visit was to present Scotiabank’s programme to that effect. He stated that the West Indies Cricket Board had taken a decision to re-introduce cricket into the region’s schools as a means of eventually producing good quality players in the region.
He conducted a session for the teachers and other persons at the meeting and explained, through the use of a video presentation, what was done to develop the Kiddy Cricket programme and the benefits that can be derived.

The meeting was followed by a presentation of Kiddy Cricket kits by Dr. Seepersaud to the Education Officer for Primary Education for use in all the primary schools. He thanked Scotiabank for providing the West Indies Cricket Board with the sponsorship. He commended the Bank not only its financial contribution but for the interest its staff in all the territories has shown in the programme. “It is a pleasure for me to hand over these kits and I urge the teachers and the youngsters to use them wisely,” he said. “I look forward to returning and demonstrating how our teachers’ manual can be used not only to help in the understanding of the game of cricket, but to provide badly-needed all-round life to our youngsters.”
Mrs. Hodge said that with the re-introduction of cricket in the schools, the equipment (colourful bats, wickets and balls) would go a very long way to develop the sport in the schools. She was grateful to Scotiabank for its sponsorship and hoped the programmed would continue for a very long time. “All those who were instrumental in getting this Kiddy Cricket to Anguilla, thank you very much, on behalf of the schools, and we look forward to seeing the manual which will help us in our further development of cricket,.” Mrs. Hodge added.

Scotiabank’s General Manager, Mr. MacCalman said" There is so much to be gained for a youngster by participating in team sports, particularly Cricket, that for us at Scotiabank Anguilla Ltd to be able to introduce this program, is rewarding indeed. Learning to live by the rules and the discipline of the game, the fact that everyone gets to play and the sheer enjoyment of a ball well hit, caught or bowled, provides a sense of self esteem and achievement at an early age.

Scotiabank Managing Director in Anguilla, Walter MacCalman bowls the first ball. Omari Banks, Anguilla's rising criket star looks on.

We are very fortunate in Anguilla to have such wonderful role models and heroes of the game, who are giving back to our youth by their coaching, presence and encouragement. I wish to thank all the Teachers, Volunteer Coaches and Leaders of The Sport who make this program possible. Also, I would like to recognize our own Andrew Niles, Director of Kiddy Cricket for Scotiabank Anguilla Ltd, who traveled to Barbados to represent the Bank and organise the implementation of Scotiabank's Kiddy Cricket in Anguilla.

Most of all, I encourage the young boys and girls to go out and have fun. Apply the lessons and disciplines learned in the game of cricket to their lives and grow in a constructive, positive and healthy manner, through participation in team sport."

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