The 10-10 Cricket Tournament, brainchild of community youth worker, Owen Mussington, of East End, went off to a good start on Sunday, February 28, at the playing field at Pond Ground, which was recently named Owen him in recognition of his outstanding work.

L-R: Jerome Roberts, Wilma Proctor, Owen Mussington, Sam Webster, Althea Hodge and Othlyn Vanterpool

“It is something that I have been looking at for a while because I want to really bring young people to the forefront in terms of cricket,” Owen told The Anguillian. “I believe that cricket can only be generated and successful if we start from the grassroots, so I think that involving our young people is the best way to go…and to bring cricket to a higher level in Anguilla.”

Owen, a FirstCaribbean Bank International Unsung Hero, said it was arranged for the opening match to involve students from the Valley Primary School, which holds the 10-10 cricket championship, and the Orealia Kelly Primary School at Stoney Ground, which placed first runner-up. “We chose to open the tournament with them because we always ask young people to lead the competition,” he explained.

The adult teams include the Police, Fire, Blue Js, Razer Massive and the Lucians, (a team from St. Lucia).

Competing students from the Valley Primary School

The opening ceremony included prayers by the Hon. Othlyn Vanterpool, Elected Member for District 1. The Minister of Sports, the Hon. Edison Baird, was represented by Mr. Sam Webster, a member of the Government in the Ministry of Infrastructure. Mr. Webster reminded his listeners about a pledge made by the Anguilla United Movement to develop the Owen Mussington Playing Field “second to none on the island.” He appealed to all the cricketers to play well and to enjoy the sport. He commended Owen for his work and thought that it was a great gesture by the previous Anguilla United Front Government to have named the playing field after him.

Some of the Orealia Kelly Primary School competitors

Director of Sports, Mrs. Wilma Proctor, congratulated Owen for organising the tournament again and the various teams for their participation. “I am somewhat disappointed that there are not as many teams as we would have liked to have seen, but I am heartened by the fact that I see a very young team and that follows the plans and programmes that we at the Sports Office have organised,” she stated. “We are promoting sports for all, but a lot of our energies are directed in developing programmes for the youth, so I am very heartened to see these youngsters playing here today.”

Mrs. Proctor thanked the Anguilla Development Board for its sponsorship and partnership. She called on players to respect their fellow sportsmen as well as the officials of the tournament. She looked forward to the start of the 20-20 cricket tournament following the 10-10 competition.

Razor Massive male players flanked by Sam and Othlyn with Coach Clarence 'Blackie' Fleming (centre)

Managing Director of the Anguilla Development Board, Mrs. Althea Hodge, noted that in August last year her organisation sponsored a business tournament for 10-10 cricket in which Owen had played an integral role. She spoke about his interest in furthering that tournament, for the success it had now achieved, and wished him and all of the participating teams the very best in their endeavours for the development of sports in Anguilla.

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