Development
Development Report for the Year 2010
Youth Cricket in Costa Rica has seen a different level this year with more youth involved in the sport. By the end of the year 2009 secondary school level youth was introduced to Cricket and as a result one secondary school participated in the Standford Barton U-19/U-15 Cup.
Cricket continues to be played in the schools where it was introduced earlier in 2008-2009. Then after the “Introduction to Cricket” seminar for the Physical Education instructors in 2009, new schools got involved in the sport and more youths are playing Cricket.
Central Valley:
Roblealto Hogar Biblico:
Cricket has been played in this home for more than five years, thanks to the enthusiasm and motivation of its Sports Director, Mr. Gerardo Montiel. Children come and stay here until they are 13 years of age and leave for other schools. So when they come here, Cricket is introduced at a very early age and by the time they are 13 they are ready to participate in national competitions. Every year there are around 24 different children (mostly boys) involved in the sport, who then participates in the Standford Barton League. Roblealto has won the second SB Cup (2009) in a play-off, beating Olimpia Trejos from Limon Province (Click here for results).
European School:
Though it sounds like a school where Cricket might be a familiar sport, hardly anyone knew about Cricket. It was introduced at secondary school level youths (mostly 14-16 years of age), with the co-operation of the School principal Mrs. Anne Aronson and the PE Trainer Mr. Dieter Holdt. Though slowly developing, a team is expected to participate in the SB League in the year 2011. There is a possibility of starting a youth Cricket club in this school which will be based in the Heredia province and administered by CCCCR.
Limon:
Always known as the “Cradle of Cricket” in Costa Rica, Cricket has been played, practised or coached in Limon province at different levels. Until last year it used to be just Limon playing cricket, but thanks to the interest of the PE instructors who attended the seminars in 2009 and 2010, Cricket has been introduced in different towns in the province.
A Cricket seminar was conducted for the second year in a row, this time inaugurated by Ministry of Education Regional Director, with 22 candidates mostly Physical Education Instructors from schools of Limon province participating, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Armando Foster and others of the Caribbean Cricket Association. The first time the goal was to introduce Cricket to these trainers. The second time was a more advanced course, conducted by visiting ICC Americas Development Officer, Wendell Coppin. The idea of playing Cricket is welcomed among the trainers; as a result they have started teaching the sport in their respective schools and some of the PE instructors are participating in the local league. We are expecting to conduct more Cricket seminars, both on the Caribbean side and in the central valley, in the coming years.
Primary Level:
Primary level cricket has always been part of the Limon development; thanks to the continuing efforts of Mr. William A. Lewin, who received an ICC Centenary Award for Services to Cricket, in 2009. Right now he has been working actively with three different schools at the primary level: Bautista, Caribbean Prep and San Marcos. Around 60 children, both boys and girls (age 8-11), are playing cricket in these schools and will be participating in the Standford Barton League.
Secondary Level:
Secondary level Schools involved in Cricket are Tomas Guardia, winner of the First U-19/U-15 Cup 2008, Olimpia Trejos and La Alegria in Siquirres.
For the Escuela Tomas Guardia, Cricket is not a new sport, thanks to the efforts and motivation of Mr. Carlos Moodie, who is active both through the government and the Caribe Association. Under his supervision, approximately 50 children are practising and playing Cricket at different levels starting from the basic to advanced level (hard ball), depending on the age group.
Colegio La Alegria is the newest place where Cricket has been introduced and practised on a regular basis. Thanks to Andrey, one of our seminar participants, who is motivating the students to play cricket, and they will be participating the SB league next year 2011.
Olimpia Trejos:
The disadvantage of not having a ground or a practice area doesn’t stop these kids from playing Cricket. In spite of all the odds, they managed to be the runner-up in the 2010 SB Cup, losing to Roblealto in the play-off.
Thanks to the motivation of Ms. Mercia Lewis, who came to know about the sport through the 2009 Cricket Seminar in Limon, Cricket has been introduced and played on a regular basis among the boys and girls (ages 11-16).Their basic requirement is a practice area, which will be considered by the CR Federacion de Cricket, and portable nets will be provided, in 2011.
Conclusion:
Active development work for the past three years has taken the sport to a position where it is recognized in many areas of the Caribbean-Atlantic region. Having now acquired National Representation, we expect to receive more support through the government, so that Cricket can grow to higher levels. Our goal from here on will be to take part in the ICC Americas Regional youth competition, which we expect to happen in 2012. Until then we will be working hard to bring in more Cricket playing youth and increase awareness of the sport in Costa Rica.
SAM O. ARTHUR, Country Development Officer
October 2010
Photos to be updated shortly