Jamaican coach Andre Coley has been selected as head coach of the West Indies Under-19 cricket team for the Youth World Cup in New Zealand next January.

The announcement was made on Monday night during the Jamaica Cricket Association Annual Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel.

Coley, 35, was earmarked for the position ever since he was placed in charge of the regional Under-19 team which participated alongside Senior territorial teams in the recently concluded limited-over President’s Cup.

The youngsters failed to win a match down in rainy Guyana, but the competition forms part of their preparation work ahead of the Youth World Cup – a tournament that the West Indies has never won.

Coley, a former Jamaica wicketkeeper, has been entrusted to bring the trophy to the Caribbean for the first time following years of growing success for his country at both Under-15 and Under-19 levels.

His recent success was this summer when he guided the Jamaican team to both regional three-day and limited-over Under-19 titles, which is unprecedented and very significant as the country celebrated its most successful season ever in regional cricket.

Seen as technologically savvy, much of Coley’s success has been put down to his embracing of technology to assess and resolve finer issues on the strengths and weaknesses of his players and opponents.

Coley’s coaching credentials has also improved, the former Jamaica wicketkeeper having recently taken the WICB Level II Coaching Course, which is an international module widely used in all Test-playing nations.

An obviously delighted Coley said the squad, to be captained by Jamaican Andre Creary, will recommence their preparation shortly.

He told the Observer that they have already scheduled practice matches with fellow World Cup qualifiers United States and Canada.