LITTLE LONDON, Westmoreland — Students within the Little London and Sheffield areas of Westmoreland have welcomed the recent staging of a one-week programme that used the game of cricket to teach them life lessons.

The programme was being staged for the second time and served as its official launch with participants drawn from the infant to primary school level.

Former Broughton Primary School student Bi-Jay Woolcock, who will be heading to Frome Technical High School in September, was among those who benefited in the latest training session and he gave the initiative high marks.

“It has helped me a lot to know more about cricket, and the life-changing skills have taught me how to focus and have more knowledge,” said the 12-year-old.

Bi-Jay, who still has not decided if he wants to be an engineer, professional speaker, or footballer, is from Little London, a community that has its fair share of crime-related challenges which have taken a toll on him at times.

His former schoolmate of the same age, Samiekie Campbell, who will be heading to Little London High School in September, attended the camp last year.

“Last year I could not bat and now this year I can bat and bowl,” the young girl said proudly.

She intends to be a soldier but still wants to be involved with sports. In addition to shoring up her cricket game, she is convinced the programme has provided her with other skills that have changed her life and her outlook. For example, she now has a clear understanding of the importance of respecting rules and people in authority.

The young girl offered a word of advice to others aspiring to participate in the programme: disrespecting the coaches is not allowed.

The locally elected representatives for Little London and Sheffield divisions jointly provided more than half a million dollars to stage the programme at Little London High School. That covered transportation, food and sports gear for participants.

Councillor Ian Myles represents Little London Division while Councillor Garfield James represents Sheffield Division. Both men were elected on a Jamaica Labour Party ticket.

“It is something that we thought is extremely necessary, especially now, based on where the crime and violence is in our communities in the divisions that we are leaders for. The negative behavioural pattern of especially our young men is heightened and so as educators, we ourselves have chosen at this time to do this summer cricket camp,” explained Councillor Myles.

He said the 35 students who attended the cricket camp received a lot more than cricket training.

“We want to develop a total individual. So, whilst they are learning fundamentals and rudiments of the game, the disciplinary aspect both on and off the field to extend to their various places of abode where their parents will become involved at some point in time to continue with the discipline that they are learning here is something. That is tremendous,” stated Myles.

The councillor said the programme has been reaping dividends.

“It has been working because we are seeing now where the kids are engaged and this is what we are using to get them out of trouble, get them off the streets and have them channel their energies in a positive way that can benefit their lives in the long run,” he said.

Myles said the aim is to continue the initiative on the weekends and also take it directly into the schools via a competition where students will not only be rewarded for their talent but for good behaviour.

As the organisers move to continue and expand the reach of the programme, Myles is calling on corporate Jamaica to get involved.

“We are going to call on corporate Jamaica for sponsorship, additionally, to do the things in making it right for more of the community students to participate in it,” he said.

Former National Cricketer Dixeth Palmer, who coaches the programme, said he participates as a way to give back to a sport that helped shape his life.

“One of the things that I have identified is that, moreso our boys are really in trouble in terms of discipline and what is happening now in terms of crime and violence,” stated Palmer, a retired policeman who is now a tour bus operator.

“I am coming from a humble, poor background just like some of these kids. Had it not been for the game of cricket and the values and attitudes that were imparted and stored within me, I would not be the individual that I am,” he added.

Former national cricketer and programme coach Dixeth Palmer credits the game of cricket for making him the man he is today.