CWI Board charts future as four-year strategic plan gains momentum

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has reaffirmed its commitment to reshaping the future of regional cricket after the organization's Board of Directors and Executive Management convened in Antigua for high-level discussions on advancing the objectives of its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, The Long Run.

Chaired by CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow, Saturday's meeting centered on organizational performance, governance, commercial development, and the long-term sustainability of West Indies cricket.

The gathering represented the Board's only scheduled in-person meeting of 2026, complementing the virtual sessions held regularly throughout the year.

Governance discussions set the stage

Preparations for the Board meeting began a day earlier when CWI's Executive Committee, which includes the presidents of the member territorial boards, along with Shallow and Vice-President Azim Bassarath, met to examine several strategic matters before presenting them to the full Board.

That process was designed to encourage comprehensive discussion while ensuring an efficient approach to decision-making on issues affecting cricket across the Caribbean.

One of the meeting's major focal points was the continued expansion of the Cricket West Indies Campus at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Directors received detailed updates on plans to transform the facility into a fully integrated, world-class cricket operations center capable of supporting player development, high-performance programs, administration, and other key functions under one umbrella.

The campus continues to be viewed as one of the flagship initiatives within CWI's long-term vision for strengthening the regional game.

Commercial growth and modernization drive strategy

The Board also reviewed the progress of several initiatives being led by Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring and the executive management team.

Those projects are closely aligned with the Commercial and Financial Sustainability pillar of The Long Run, focusing on modernizing CWI's operations, enhancing its high-performance systems, expanding revenue streams, creating new commercial opportunities, and establishing a stronger platform for future success both on and off the field.

President Shallow said the meeting underscored the importance of maintaining close collaboration between the Board and executive leadership as the organization pursues its long-term objectives.

"This Board meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for Directors to engage in constructive discussions on the strategic direction of Cricket West Indies."

"As the game continues to evolve, maintaining strong alignment between the Board and management is essential to ensuring that the decisions we make today position West Indies cricket for sustained success," Shallow said.

"I am encouraged by the progress of several transformational initiatives that directly support the objectives of the four-year strategic plan, enhancing our commercial and cricketing capabilities while delivering enduring benefits for the game and its stakeholders across the region."

Dehring highlights shared vision

Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring said the two days of meetings reinforced a unified commitment to delivering the ambitions outlined in CWI's strategic blueprint.

"Our discussions over the two days reinforced a shared commitment to delivering on the ambitions of 'The Long Run' and building a stronger, more sustainable future for Cricket West Indies."

He pointed to ongoing work at the Cricket West Indies Campus and High-Performance Centre, along with initiatives aimed at innovation, commercial expansion, and revenue diversification, as evidence that the organization is making tangible progress.

"From the continued development of the Cricket West Indies Campus and High-Performance Centre to initiatives focused on innovation, commercial growth and revenue diversification, we are making meaningful progress across several pillars of the strategic plan," Dehring said.

"While we remain focused on managing today's challenges, we are equally committed to creating an organisation that is modern, resilient and positioned to deliver sustained success for our players, our stakeholders and our fans."

As Cricket West Indies continues implementing The Long Run, the organization believes the combination of stronger governance, modern business practices, enhanced high-performance structures, and expanded commercial opportunities will help lay the foundation for a more competitive and financially sustainable future for Caribbean cricket.