St Ann challenged to market cricket talent

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Jamaican historian and sports analyst Arnold Bertram has urged the St Ann Cricket Association to invite more overseas cricket leagues to visit Jamaica in order to expose parish players to international cricket.

Speaking at the annual awards ceremony of the Association held on Thursday, February 2 at the Holiday Haven Hotel, Runaway Bay, Bertram suggested that the increasing number of professional leagues in the United States was a potential lucrative circuit for talented young cricketers and a window of opportunity for sports marketing for Jamaica.

He said that the St Ann cricket base had much to offer as an attraction, including the Noranda and Ultimate first class grounds one mile apart, vibrant competitions from the bauxite mini-league up to senior cup levels, a well organised and focused parish association, and a record of producing players who have made national teams.

Bertram congratulated the major sponsor of St Ann cricket Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners for funding the 'A' League, the Premier League and Champion of Champions Competitions, and for making their sports club available as the headquarters of cricket in the parish.

The Association's president Keith Walford promised that his committee would take up the suggestions made by the guest speaker in terms of engaging overseas interest in St Ann cricket. He also committed to maintaining the development of cricket at schools and community level which he said "has been the foundation of our success".

The St Ann 'A' League was won by Beverly Cricket Club, the Premier League by Links United Cricket Club, and the Champion of Champions 20-20 competition by Content Gardens Club.

Special awards were made to Orville Pennant, parish captain, Lloyd DaCosta, scorer, Marlon Sterling for the most runs in the 'A' League, Marlon Johnson most runs in the Premier League, Patrick Harty for the most wickets, Premier League, and Exmil Jarrett and Ron Banton for scoring the most centuries.

Other speakers included Linden James, representing the Jamaica Cricket Association, Kent Skyers, representing Noranda Jamaica Bauxite, and Dr Dayton Campbell, member of parliament, North-West St Ann.