FORMER Jamaica cricket captain Tamar Lambert says he is so far satisfied with the transition to the next chapter of his career in the sport.

Lambert, 38, holder of a Level II coaching certificate, was yesterday announced ambassador for the hugely popular Social Development Commission (SDC) Wray & Nephew National Community Twenty20 cricket competition.

Between coaching and helping to market the game in whatever way he can, Lambert said retirement from regional cricket has its upsides.

“Retirement is going well so far — I just need to put things in place. I should have started doing that from I was playing but it’s never too late to get those done,” the former wristy middle-order batsman told the Jamaica Observer, while noting that the Level III would certify him to coach senior teams in the region.

“I’m really looking forward to going into the coaching world. I’m looking to get Level III [certification] this year,” Lambert continued.

Lambert, among the most successful captains in the history of regional cricket who led Jamaica to five consecutive four-day titles between 2007-08 and 2011-12, played 99 first-class matches before retiring in 2015.

However, he still plays at the club level, and only recently he made the switch from boyhood club St Catherine CC to St Thomas CA.

“I’m player/coach for St Thomas [in the Senior Cup], and in my first season there we reached the semi-finals, but lost out to [eventual champions] Melbourne CC, so that obviously went well. I was coaching at Holmwood Technical in the Headley Cup and we lost out there in the semi-finals as well,” he said.

In his latest move to give back to the sport by promoting SDC T20 cricket through his ambassadorial role, Lambert emphasised the impact the competition has had on communities.

“This is a new adventure for me and stepping off the cricket field and into a new environment is really exciting. I’ve known this competition for years, playing for St John’s East in Spanish Town. SDC cricket has been big in Jamaica cricket overall.

“The best thing is when you can get into the communities because sport does a lot for the communities and for our country. You get the young guys off the streets and give them something to become involved in. You can create change and stop some of the crime in Jamaica, so we hope more people can come on board,” he explained.