DELA Vega City cricket team walked away with the two major awards — the Jamaica Energy Partners 50-overs League and the Sherwin Williams T/20 Championship — at the 2013 St Catherine Cricket Association appreciation and awards function held at Arians Restaurants in Twickenham Park on Thursday night.

Dela Vega City CC defeated Angels CC to win the Jamaica Energy Partners 50 0vers League Championship, and then turned on Old Harbour CC to lift the Sherwin Williams T/20 Championship.

Speaking at the function, managing director of Sherwin Williams Ian Forbes said he was pleased with the way that the tournament had turned out and that his company will continue partnering with the St Catherine Cricket Association (CCA) as it facilitate in the development of cricket and the youth.

“This competition has turned out great, blending the youths and seniors,” he said.

Meanwhile, minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, applauded the CCA for staging another successful cricket season and she said is willing to partner with the CCA in taking cricket to another level.

“I am glad to be a part of this function… as you can see cricket is a team sport that everyone depends on each other. I want to take cricket to another level, extend the competition across the other parishes because cricket build discipline in our youth and they can build careers out of cricket,” she said.

“I am willing to partner with the CCA because without good sponsors there is no way sports can work, and so I thanked Sherwin Williams and Jamaica Energy Partners for that.”

Also speaking at the function, was president of the St Catherine Cricket Association, Milholland Barker, and he joined in thanking the sponsors for their contribution towards another season of cricket. Barker also said that the CCA is on high and the future plans are to develop female cricket, under-12 competitions and high school competitions.

He further stated that the CCA is seeking to establish an office, a choir and a home ground to play home matches on.

Branch Manager of ScotiaBank Spanish Town, Junior Anthony Clarke, noted that he was happy with the CCA’s keen interest in developing cricket in all areas and that his company will continue to support in helping to celebrate and promote cricket all around.

“We have been proud to sponsor cricket, the best place to build cricket is from the ground come up. Stick with a cause and develop on it, provide proper administration for the youths,” he urged.

Also present at the ceremony were Member of Parliament, Denise Daley; Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott; Clifton Clarke, representing the newly-elected president of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven.

In addition to Dela Vega cricket team receiving the top awards, Lloyd English, Clifton ‘Lighting’ Holiette, Eutiford Thomas, Errol Subratie, Lloyd Spence, Superintendent of Prisons Trevor Hinds, Irie Jerk and DP Sports Club were presented with certificates of appreciation for their contribution to the game.

Among those recognised for outstanding contribution to the development of cricket in the parish, were West Indies male cricketers Nkrumah Bonner and Andre Russell, West Indies women’s cricketers Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean and Shanel Daley.