ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has kicked off the second round of its Foundation Level and Refresher Coaching Courses in the Leeward Islands and St. Vincent, reinforcing its strategy to develop a high-quality coaching pool across the Caribbean.
The courses aim to prepare coaches ahead of the restart of primary schools and community grassroots cricket programs.
The initiative began Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua & Barbuda. Subsequent sessions are scheduled for Montserrat (Oct. 5), the British and US Virgin Islands (Oct. 7), St. Maarten & Anguilla (Oct. 10), and will conclude in St. Vincent (Oct. 30).
Investing in grassroots and sustainable development
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the strategic importance of the program.
“The continuation of the Foundation Level and Refresher Coaching Courses reflects CWI’s strong commitment to developing high-quality coaching talent and strengthening cricketing infrastructure across the region,” Bascombe said.
He highlighted that collaboration with government and private sector partners is key to growing age-group cricket at both school and community levels, and that coaching education at this stage is essential to ensure the sport’s sustainable growth.
“By equipping coaches with the right tools and knowledge, we are creating a more inclusive and sustainable cricket pathway — one that supports the resurgence of grassroots and mass participation cricket throughout the Caribbean,” he added.
Flagship initiatives to benefit from trained coaches
Bascombe underlined the impact of these courses on flagship development programs such as the Republic Bank Limited (RBL) Five for Fun Cricket and the Girls Under-16/19 Territorial Cricket Hub programs.
“These programs, vital to inspiring the next generation of cricketers, will now benefit significantly from having a well-trained and qualified pool of foundation-level coaches in each territory,” he explained.
Expert facilitators lead the way
The courses are led by Brendon Ramlal and Keshava Ramphal, both Level 3 certified coaches with extensive backgrounds in primary and secondary education in Trinidad & Tobago. They bring over a decade of experience in age-group cricket development, including expertise in child protection, analytics, tactical awareness, physical literacy, session planning, and effective communication.
In line with CWI’s commitment to player safety, all participants completed the online UNICEF Child Protection Course and attended a virtual Cricket Safeguarding & Child Protection Workshop prior to starting the program. This ensures that coaches can create a safe and supportive environment for young cricketers.
Building a regional coaching network
This second round of courses follows successful sessions in Dominica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Grenada (including Carriacou), Jamaica, and Barbados, where over 150 participants were trained.
Designed to equip both current and aspiring coaches with essential skills and knowledge, the initiative reflects CWI’s long-term vision: to nurture young talent, strengthen grassroots participation, and secure a thriving cricket future for the Caribbean.
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