The University of Technology (UTech), in partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), yesterday launched a coaching education programme that is expected to improve the development of the sport across the region.

The collaboration between the regional body and the Papine, Jamaica-based institution aims to revamp and broaden the Cricket Coaching Programme (CCEP) with some assistance coming from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

It will facilitate articulation of accredited programmes and provide training, education and certification for cricket coaches.

Sport clinics, youth development, research projects, technology and performance initiatives, bio-mechanics and public education programmes will also be targetted under the partnership.

Professor Ashok Kulkarni, UTech’s deputy president, expressed optimism at the partnership and said it is indicative of the university’s commitment to contribute towards the betterment of the sport.

“UTech is committed to all these thrusts and to building on the legacy of West Indies cricket. We are serious about its sustainability through collaborations like the Coaching Education Programme for cricket coaches.

“This programme is only the first innings of the various collaborative initiatives between UTech and WICB. The university and the WICB previously signed a memorandum of understanding in September of last year which will see both entities cooperating for the development of West Indies cricket.

“We welcome WICB wholeheartedly in this joint endeavour. Our marriage is certainly a good fit with UTech’s ongoing thrust to build and sustain a world-class sports programme,” he said yesterday at the Lillian’s Restaurant at UTech.

WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead stressed the importance of the CCEP and thanked the ECB for their assistance in making the initiative a reality.

“This day is long overdue. The journey to this launch has been one which should have occurred sooner than today, but for a number of reasons it did not. Today, however, the all-important pillar of coaching education has been returned to being among the top priorities in West Indies cricket.

“On behalf of the WICB I must outline how delighted we are to have partnered with the University of Technology in achieving what has been a dream to a definitive and structured coaching education programme in the West Indies.

“I wish to also thank the England and Wales Cricket Board for the support and guidance they have offered us,” Muirhead said.

The CCEP has a target of training 1,500 Level One coaches across the Caribbean region within the first year of implementation. The Level One programme will certify coaches for junior club and school cricket.

The Tutors and Assessors programme will target the training of 40 coaches across the region at Level Two for the first year of implementation. The Level Two programme will equip coaches for national age group teams and senior club cricket.

At Level Three, participants will be equipped to coach national senior teams, and all West Indies teams, including males, females, seniors and juniors. This advanced coaching certification programme, which will be internationally acknowledged, is the first of its kind to fall under the wings of the WICB.

Coaches already certified by the WICB will need to renew their accreditation by completing specific coaching workshops to bridge the gap between previous standard and the CCEP.