The meeting between the WICB and the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Committee on Cricket on Friday will signal the future direction of the governance of WI cricket.
The outcomes are simple and obvious; either there will be continual floundering or there will be a determined effort to save an important aspect of Caribbean history, culture and identity.
The CARICOM Cricket Review Panel (CCRP) identified several governance and administrative problems that are hamstringing the development of the women’s game in the region. Despite these problems the regional team is currently joint leaders with Australia in the ICC Women’s Championship on 16 points.
The problems identified are in no way new to those involved in the women’s game. Simply put, the WICB have been lethargic towards the holistic development women’s cricket. Furthermore, the region’s cricket commentators, who have kept all and sundry aware of the problems affecting every aspect of the men’s game, have failed miserably in doing the same for the women’s game.
There is no doubt that the chair of the CCRP, Professor Eudine Barriteau, Principal of the Cave Campus, UWI, would have been instrumental in the women’s game receiving seemingly ultra-attention. The Richard Pybus Report, the current blueprint for WI cricket, fails to address the women’s game in a detailed manner.
Problems identified by the CCRP are:
• “Lack of financial and infrastructural support and commitment to the sustainable development of women’s cricket” (p5). In 2015 women cricketers received match fees for the annual regional tournament for the first time.
• “There is no organised, official programmes and policies in place by the WICB to develop women’s cricket” (p5).
• “WICB management looks towards the Territorial Boards and Governments to take the lead in the area of cricket development for women, while it accepts the responsibility for the development of cricket skills for the men’s teams” (p5).
• Since 2005 when the WICB took over responsibility for managing the women’s game, the amount of regional cricket played have declined. Whereas there are annual U15, U17, U19 and A Team cricket for men, the women players are restricted to playing 50 overs.
• In 2016 the ICC T20 World Cup will be played in India, however, the WICB did not see the wisdom of including a T20 component in its 2015 regional tournament!
• Even more alarming, “there are no organised, consistent set of structures in place by the Territorial Boards. Some Boards do have clubs, do not encourage the development of clubs and do not organise national/territorial competitions” (p5). This is surprising as the WICB stated in 2014, that no territory will be allowed to play in the Senior Regional Tournament from 2015 if they did not have an organised league!
Recommendations to consider:
• As the Pybus Report calls for the free movement of players within the region to increase the standard of play, the same can be applied to the women’s game. This will make for more competitive cricket which will auger well for the West Indies team.
• There should be a standardised programme throughout the region to develop the women’s game at all levels starting in primary schools.
• One team of the best players should represent the Windward Islands. At the same time every effort should be made to develop the women’s game in the Leeward Islands.
• In order to develop their skills, women have to play more cricket. As the Pybus Report propose for two rounds of cricket for men, the same should be extended to women.
• The development of youth cricket for boys should also be extended to girls with the same kind of interest and energy. The annual under 19 invitational tournament that is hosted by T&T should be fully supported by the WICB and ensure all regional territories participate.
• Women must be encouraged and supported to get involved as coaches, umpires, administrators and other officials in the game.
• Whatever programme replaces the High Performance Centre (HPC) it should incorporate women cricketers. This will ensure that the region’s top young players are exposed to highest level of training and coaching. Such a move will be keeping in line with convener of selectors, Clive Lloyd’s pledge to emphasise the development of youth cricket.
The restructuring of the regional cricket to improve the overall standard of performance is critical at this juncture. It must be across the board for both women and men. In the end cricket will hopefully be the overall winner.
