CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Thursday credited late Dominican cricket administrator Tom LaFond with helping to develop the sport in the region.

LaFond died in Roseau on Tuesday at age 65.

"Tom was a class act. It was a pleasure knowing him and he will be missed. He had a huge passion for the game and demonstrated great leadership in Dominica and in the Windward Islands," WICB president Julian Hunte said.

"You could call on him at any time and he would be there to assist. He made a great contribution to the development of the game at every level."

He added: "He was a good man, a popular man and a true ambassador for this great game. He devoted his life to cricket, as a player and after his playing days were over. He gave all he had to the make life better for the young people around him."

LaFond served in several capacities throughout the Windward Islands, performing the role of manager of the Dominica national side as well as the sub-regional unit.

He was a former vice-president of the Dominica Cricket Association and chairman of the Windsor Park stadium committee, and played a huge role in Windsor Park landing its first-ever Test match last year.

LaFond also worked as a sports writer, commentator and radio analyst.

He will be laid to rest on January 4 next year at the St Alphonsus Catholic Church in the Goodwill community.